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Daily Dime: Drew Pomeranz draws the scuffling Astros

Daily Dime: Drew Pomeranz draws the scuffling Astros

You should know the rules by now. We suggest, you consider, then we sit back and watch. Let's get to the DFS shopping list.

Players to Buy 

Drew Pomeranz, SP, at Houston (McHugh), $6800: The Astros lineup has better shape against opposing lefties, not that it mattered earlier this week against Scott Kazmir. I'm going to keep aggressively streaming against this Houston crew until it fights back a little bit; only the Twins have scored fewer runs than Houston's 17, and only the Pirates are striking out more often. Good work if you can get it.

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Jerry Sands, OF, vs. Chicago (Danks), $2200 on Fan Duel: Sands has bounced from LA to Tampa to Cleveland through an undistinguished career, but we know he can hit lefties (.310/.355/.530). He's slotted fifth in the Cleveland lineup for Wednesday, enjoying a day game against the underwhelming John Danks. Save some cash, load up on bats elsewhere.

Lineup Stack: Miami, at Atlanta (Stults): After a wipeout opening series, the Marlins have woken up a bit, scoring 25 runs over five games. If you want to pay up for Dee Gordon or Giancarlo Stanton against journeyman lefty Eric Stults, I'l sign off. And if you prefer a cheaper option, Ichiro Suzuki ($2200) is slotted second, temporarily replacing the injured Christian Yelich. I'm not a fan of looking too deep down in the order, but perhaps this is the day we'll hear from a couple of righties, Michael Morse and Marcell Ozuna.

Ian Desmond, SS, at Boston (Miley), $3800: Miracle of miracles, Desmond has been elevated in the lineup (slotted second for Wednesday's matinee). He also enjoys the platoon advantage against lefty Wade Miley, and Desmond's horrible fielding won't hurt you a bit in DFS. On the flip side, note Michael Taylor is slotted ninth - that kills his low-price buzz.

Rajai Davis, OF, at Pittsburgh (Liriano), $3300: We'll presume Davis will get the call against the opposing lefty; the Tigers know how dangerous he is in these instances (career OPS of .805). Francisco Liriano isn't always easy to hit, but he's somewhat cavalier when it comes to holding runners. If Davis gets on base, he's probably taking off.

Brandon Morrow, SP, vs. Arizona (C. Anderson), $6600: Although Morrow rarely had pretty ratios during his American League career, he did post a couple of snappy strikeout years with the Blue Jays. For the most part, it was injuries and geography that did Morrow in. For the moment, he's healthy and working in the best pitcher park known to mankind. He was terrific in his Friday debut, too (seven scoreless, seven strikeouts).

Rickie Weeks, 2B, at Los Angeles (B. Anderson), $2600: We assume Weeks will be leading off again with the southpaw Brett Anderson going, and Weeks has come through in two of his last three appearances (two hits Tuesday, a homer on the weekend). If you're fine to pay up for a Mariners bat, the smoking-hot Nelson Cruz is an obvious option, reasonably priced at $4300.

Kansas City Lefties, at Minnesota (Gibson): Left-handed bats have a .291 average and .359 OBP against Kyle Gibson for his career. If you want to keep rolling with Mike Moustakas, I won't try to stop you. Eric Hosmer is off to a tidy start, too. The one buzzkill here is Alex Gordon, still buried in the order and damn silent through the opening week and change.

Players to Fade 

Collin McHugh, SP, vs. Oakland (Pomeranz), $8300: He was a bargain special for much of last year, but you have to cut a check for McHugh this time around – only four pitchers are more expensive on the Wednesday card. Oakland's offense is tops in runs scored this month, and only the Royals are harder to strike out.

Gio Gonzalez, SP, at Boston (Miley), $9300: I don't mind paying up for a big price pitcher (Gonzo is No. 1 on the Wednesday board) when the circumstances are favorable, or even neutral. A lefty at Fenway Park, in a day game no less? Let's wait for safer landing spots. And don't shy away from any Boston bats, either, be it the pricy guys or the value plays (surprise starter Allen Craig comes to mind)..