Fantasy Baseball: 5 Shrewd Plays For June 3
For any fantasy team, starting the right players is unsurprisingly the key to success. This is especially true in the immensely popular daily leagues, where a single player can mean the difference between a big payday and crushing disappointment. Based on matchups and talent, the following five players could all be in for an excellent day on June 3 and deserve your utmost consideration.
5. 3B, Evan Longoria: Tampa Bay Rays
5. 3B, Evan Longoria: Tampa Bay Rays
It's been a bit of a struggle for the three-time All-Star to this point, as he's hitting just .264 with five HRs in 58 games. On the bright side, he has been swinging the stick better of late, as his average sits at .318 over his past 10 games. Maybe he breaks out in the power department against the Miami Marlins and Henderson Alvarez tonight. Longoria has six hits in 10 career at-bats off of the right-hander, including three HRs.
4. OF, Melky Cabrera: Toronto Blue Jays
4. OF, Melky Cabrera: Toronto Blue Jays
This outfielder has proven he doesn't need PEDs to play at a high level. He's on pace for a career season, and is the No. 10 overall outfielder in fantasy baseball right now according to ESPN. The Blue Jays have a tough matchup tonight against the Detroit Tigers and Anibal Sanchez, but Cabrera shouldn't be fazed as he owns a .556 average off of him in 18 career at-bats.
3. OF, Adam Jones: Baltimore Orioles
3. OF, Adam Jones: Baltimore Orioles
Like Evan Longoria, Jones is still looking to get into a groove this season. He isn't producing the All-Star numbers that we are used to seeing, but he's far too talented to keep down. Perhaps the turnaround happens tonight as the Orioles square off against Joe Saunders and the Texas Rangers. Not only does Saunders sport a 1.85 WHIP in his two starts this year, but Jones is hitting .434 off left-handed pitching this season.
2. P, C.J. Wilson: Los Angeles Angels
2. P, C.J. Wilson: Los Angeles Angels
With a 3.05 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, Wilson could be in for his best season as a starter. He's allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine of his 11 starts, and is striking out a very formidable 8.10 batters per nine innings. Look for more good times today when he takes on the Houston Astros. Not only does Houston rank 27th in runs scored per game, but Wilson held them to just one run in eight innings in their first showdown this year.
1. SS, Troy Tulowitzki: Colorado Rockies
1. SS, Troy Tulowitzki: Colorado Rockies
Tulowitzki is hitting just .200 in his last 13 games, but don't let that scare you off. Most of those games were on the road, where he's hitting a measly .234 on the year. He will be playing at friendly Coors Field today, where his average sits at an incredible .521. He'll face a rookie pitcher tonight who owns a 4.02 ERA in three starts, and a return to form should be in order.
Brian Davis is a fantasy sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @SportsGuyBrian, ”Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.