Miracle Covers

NL Superdork June Update

For the two people who care, here is where my team stands after two months in the NL Superdork:

And for the second month running, the first place team is the one I ripped for having a horrific draft.  I managed to touch first place for a day or so but then dropped back down into the pack.  The Blasters in 3rd have dumped wins and took advantage of Casey trading a $1 Tony Cigriani for Yonder Alonso about a week before Cigriani was demoted to AAA.  They also basically swapped Cole Hamels for Matt Kemp, a move that hasn’t worked yet but will pay off in the 2nd half once Kemp returns from the DL.  I have been toying with the idea of punting saves after missing out on Heath Bell by a dollar in FAAB bidding.  Kevin Gregg who I picked up hasn’t had a save opportunity in three weeks (Go Cubs Go!)

The lineup is improving though I need to make a trade to boost my average and steals at some point as Uggla and Upton (and Headley and Venable to a lesser extent) are really dragging the batting average down.  It’s Gonzalez, Votto, Pence and a bunch of schmos there.  I should get to add Rendon this week once he plays a game at 2b.  Colvin is only in the lineup this week because I needed to make a bench spot to pick up Carlos Martinez, who will hopefully join the Cardinals rotation in July.

Lastly, I just want to emphasize the importance of the end of a draft/auction.  These are the last 5 players I picked up in the auction, all for $1:

22,12 285 Team Lou $1 Ziegler, Brad (P ARI)
22,2 275 Team Lou $1 Villanueva, Carlos (P CHC)
23,6 292 Team Lou $1 Schumaker, Skip (2B LAD)
23,10 296 Team Lou $1 Hudson, Daniel (P ARI)
23,12 298 Team Lou $1 Gregorius, Didi (SS ARI)

Hudson obviously hasn’t pitched yet this season, but Ziegler and Villanueva have combined for 3 wins and a 3.45 ERA.  Gregorius and Schumaker are combined for 70 RP and a non-shitty batting average, even if the power and steals have been negligible.  I likely would not be scuffling around the money places without these guys.  In fantasy, plate appearances are the single most important currency for an offense, and for pitching, the middle relievers matter a lot more than people think.

Wednesday

We went 2-0 yesterday as Milwaukee came back to win in 10 and our total was never in doubt. Two potential plays for today on Under 9 In Boston vs. Texas and possibly on Milwaukee again still versus Oakland. The Boston line may be up 1/2 a run or so because of the 22 runs the teams combined for yesterday. Lackey is going tonight for the Sox and don’t call it a comeback just yet, but he’s 3-5 with a 2.98 and striking out a batter an inning. If he can keep the strikeout rate up, there’s no reason he can’t end the year in the mid-to-high threes with double digit wins and basically be the solid 3rd starter he was in Anaheim.

Updates around 1:30 and again whenever the 7pm lineups are released.

UPDATE: Brewers and Sox under are both going to be passes but close ones.  Trying to keep the perfect record for June intact :)

MLB Tuesday June 4th

Back in degen land today where Sean has been doing an exceptional job of keeping this place running while baseball has been empty and sad the last few days. No plays either Sunday or yesterday, hence the radio silence. Sean’s now 1-1 in NBA on the year with the big win last night. :)

Today in MLB has a full slate of games with 13 of the 15 being home favorites. We are taking the only non-Astros of the home underdog bunch and playing Milwaukee (Lohse) -105 at home to Oakland (Griffin). This price started at +104 so we’re counting it there. Yes I’m cheating. A little.

One total tonight as well and it’s Toronto @ San Francisco U7.5.

Our MLB note today comes from Baltimore where Nate McClouth has not only fixed whatever was broken with himself a couple of seasons ago, but has developed into a base stealer extraordinaire. He’s second in the AL in stolen bases with 19 behind only Jacoby Ellsbury and has been caught only once, a rate that even Carlos Beltran would be proud of. Baltimore as a team is running a lot more this season and is 3rd in MLB in both steals and percentage. It makes me wonder if steals need to be projected on a team level first and at an individual level second.

Monthly NL Superdork update coming tomorrow.

MLB End of May

Last post of the month and we are 12-12 for May so tonight will determine if we only win at life, or if we win at baseball too. 12-12 +0.88 for May for those keeping track. We won our under last night as most of the scoring happened late but stopped at 7 runs on our U7.5. Only one play today and that is in Minnesota where we are taking Pelfrey +113 at home to the Mariners and Iwakuma.

No soccer plays in a blah weekend. It’s only MLS and the odd International until August. Likely away tomorrow & hungover on Sunday so there may not be much action until next week.

Good luck out there.

MLB Plays 5/30

I am pretty sure I have stumbled upon my baseball Raiders.  For some reason, I have an unhealthy obsession with picking the Oakland Raiders.  It seems that the baseball equivalent for me, at least this year, are the Miami Marlins.  All plays @ 24.

Brewers @ Twins Under 8.5 -108

Rays @ Marlins (+1.5) -119

A’s @ Giants Over 7.5 +101

MLB Plays 5/28

Quick 2 early plays.  Definitely more to follow, @ 24

Braves ML +106 @ Blue Jays

Braves @ Blue Jays Under 9 -111

UPDATE

Pirates (+1.5) -150 @ Tigers

O’s ML -101 @ Nats

Twins ML +111 @ Brewers

Phillies ML +111 @ Red Sox

Marlins (+1.5) -102 @ Rays

My ongoing love affair with road teams lives on.  Road teams and I should be locked in an embrace at the front of the Titanic.  I think the problem for me is that in football I can quantify home field advantage.  Will have to learn that in baseball at some point.

MLB Plays Memorial Day

I am at a crossroads whether to go for MLs or run lines on bets these days.  As you will see there is a mixture of both in these picks.  Lets see if this is the first step towards formulating a strategy.  All @ 24, essentially broke even yesterday

Cardinals @ Royals (+1.5) -159

Rockies @ Astros Under 8.5 -101

Twins (+1.5) -176 @ Brewers

Padres (+1.5) -193 @ Mariners

Angels @ Dodgers ML +102

Cubs @ White Sox Under 7.5 -113