Nothing is easy on the road to October, and the Yankees next tangle with the surprising Atlanta Braves for a three game set at The Stadium.
Who Are These Atlanta Braves?
They started out as the Boston Red Stockings in 1871 and went through 2 cities and 7 name changes before settling in as the Atlanta Braves in 1966. The organization won three World Series titles, in 1914, 1957, and 1995.
The Braves come in a solid 14 games over .500 with a 48-34 mark that is good enough for first place in the National League East, three games better than the equally surprising Philadelphia Philles.
They are good at home and on the road, with 23-17 and 25-17 marks respectively.
The Braves made some noise with probably the biggest trade of the 2017-18 off-season. On December 16, 2017, they shipped Matt Kemp to the Los Angeles Dodgers for infielder Charlie Culberson, first baseman Adrián González and pitchers Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy. The Braves released Adrián González a few days later.
The Kids
Much like the Yankees, Atlanta has benefited from a talented group of prospects that are getting it done at the major league level.
Yankees vs Braves / July 2, 2018 Fantasy Cheatsheet
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Anibal Sanchez. Sanchez was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox as an international free agent in January of 2001. He was traded by Boston to the Marlins in the deal that sent Josh Beckett, Guillermo Mota and Mike Lowell to Beantown, while the Fish got Sanchez, Jesus Delgado, Harvey Garcia and shortstop Hanley Ramirez. After stops with the Tigers and Twins (2012-18), he signed with the Braves on March 16, 2018.
The right-hander has 6 pitches in his toolbox, but primarily uses his four-seam fastball (91 mph), backed by change, cutter, slider, sinker and curve, all in the 80-88mph range).
The Wise Guys
Oddsmakers say tonight’s over/under is 9.5 and to bet the under. The Yankees are -188 on the moneyline, and are 9-2 against the Braves in their last 11 matchups — although the run total has gone over in 7 of the last 8 road games for the Braves.
Who to Stack Against Sanchez
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Didi Gregorius : The star shortstop is 4-11 against Sanchez with 2 home runs and 4 RBI. Didi is seeing the ball well and is a good investment at $4,300.
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Aaron Hicks : Fresh off his historic night against the Red Sox (3 home runs), Hicks is only 1-11 against Sanchez but has been on a tear for most of the last month.
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Aaron Judge : Just because. Too small of a historical sample size to consider, but Judge is raking at home. Draft him on the homestand and save your ducats while he’s on the road.
Jonathan Loaisiga vs The Braves
New York’s young righty starter has not faced anyone on the Braves current roster, but let’s take a peek at who he should be concerned with.
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Ozzie Albies : The standout second-baseman has been tearing it up over the past week to the tune of a .515 BA with 1 home run, and 5 RBI. The young man hits for power (17 home runs) and average .275, and currently is one of the most expensive second-sackers on Draft Kings at $5,200, and is currently leading the vote for NL second base starter in the All-Star Game.
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Freddie Freeman : The free-swinging first baseman is having a standout season for Atlanta, also an All-Star Game vote-leader at first base. Freeman is raking to the tune of a .315 BA with 16 home runs and 56 RBI. His Draft Kings price is $5,100.
UPDATE: We erroneously had Domingo German as tonight’s starter. Wrong. It’s Johnny Lasagna! Correction was made just prior to game time. Sorry ’bout that! Check back before game time for any critical updates.
Remember this is for speculation only, not meant to be taken as gospel. And don’t forget to double-check your lineup(s) just prior to game time as the weather may create havoc for you. We exist under the manta that “You can’t predict baseball” but it’s fun trying. Good luck with your lineup and let’s go Yankees!
