Stacks of the Day - Don't be Sold on Porcello vs. Blue Jays
Here are the top stacks for Friday, April 15:
Toronto Blue Jays (at Red Sox)
The Blue Jays' vaunted offense seems to be coming around after a slow start, scoring 11 runs in their past two games. Meat-of-the-order bats Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista have been carrying the offense, while Edwin Encarnacion and Troy Tulowitzki are showing signs of heating up.
Rick Porcello has made one start this season and it just so happened to come against the Jays. He threw six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits - two of which left the yard. Last season he posted a 6.45 ERA in four starts against the Blue Jays, who haven't made many alterations to their 2015 lineup.
In 361 at-bats, Bautista and Encarnacion have combined for 31 home runs and 80 RBIs at Fenway Park in their careers.
3-player stack: Donaldson, Bautista, Encarnacion
5-player stack: Donaldson, Bautista, Encarnacion, Tulowitzki, Justin Smoak
Texas Rangers (vs. Orioles)
The Rangers will benefit from facing arguably the worst starting pitcher on the slate in Vance Worley. He gave up just two earned runs in 4.2 innings in his first start, but he allowed seven hits in the process against a weak Tampa Bay offense. Texas had the third-best offense in all of baseball last season, and rank in the top 10 to begin 2016.
Prince Fielder is off to a slow start, but it's safe to say that won't last. Adrian Beltre continues to do Adrian Beltre things. Perhaps the biggest surprise has been 20-year-old Nomar Mazara, who took Shin-Soo Choo's spot both in RF and second in the batting order when he got injured. The rookie sensation is hitting .400 with one home run and three RBIs, albeit in just 20 at-bats.
The league will figure out Mazara soon, but as of right now he is the best daily fantasy bargain available, as long as he hits in front of Beltre and Fielder.
3-player stack: Delino DeShields, Mazara, Beltre
5-player stack: DeShields, Mazara, Fielder, Beltre, Elvis Andrus
Houston Astros (vs. Tigers)
The Houston Astros like to hit the long ball, making them an ideal tournament stack. Tigers SP Mike Pelfrey isn't necessarily known to be susceptible to home runs, but he's an overall weak pitcher.
In Pelfrey's Tiger debut he lasted just 3.2 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits. Pelfrey relies heavily on a two-seam sinking fastball, but if he's unable to get it down in the zone, he can get rocked around the park.
Rookie 1B Tyler White has been one of the best stories in the young season. The 25-year-old is hitting .438/.486/.813 with three homers and 10 RBIs. White, along with the best young middle infield in the majors - Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa - have shouldered the offense thus far.
3-player stack: Altuve, Correa, White.
5-player stack: Altuve, George Springer, Correa, Colby Rasmus, White