Dave Cokin
Bonus Play
I’m combining a 2016 MLB team preview with the Bonus Play for the day. If you’re looking for a very live candidate to be the worst team in the game this season, focus on the Milwaukee Brewers.
Take: MILWAUKEE BREWERS UNDER 69.5
There’s very little to like about the product on the field at Miller Park this season. The Brewers aren’t even trying to fool anyone. They’re looking to build for the future, which is probably a very good idea. But in the meantime, they sure look like a team that could flirt with 100 losses in 2016.
The projected starting rotation is about as shaky as it gets. I’m not sure I can recall ever having come up with this result in the past, although I can’t swear to it. But in working my projected 5×5 fantasy values for the probable starting staff, Jimmy Nelson was the only pitcher to earn a positive figure. The other four guys were all negative value. Anything is always possible, but Nelson, Wily Peralta, Matt Garza, Taylor Jungmann and Chase Anderson form a quintet that’s basically expansion team level. Subbing in one or two others in place of the five I listed doesn’t change the bottom line.
There might actually be some promise in the bullpen, although the eventual closer’s role is still wide open. But Jeremy Jeffress, Will Smith and Corey Knebel could be a decent trio. Of course, one of those three will need to step forward and lock down the ninth inning role, and whether any of them have that closer mindset remains to be seen. But this is potentially an area of reasonable strength for Milwaukee.
Jonathan Lucroy is a high-end catcher if healthy. But whether or not Lucroy is still with the Brewers by the trading deadline is a definite question mark. His services figure to be in demand, and it certainly appears as though Lucroy wouldn’t mind getting a chance to play for a contender. Ryan Braun is still a Brewer, and he’s not the guy he was during the time frame he was “getting help”, plus Braun remains somewhat injury prone. He’s still a good player, but no longer at the superstar level.
The rest of the position player rundown is pretty brutal. Chris Carter, Scooter Gennett, Jonathan Villar, Aaron Hill, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Domingo Santana and a handful of journeyman backups is what I’m seeing. There are some talented up and comers in the wings, headed by exciting shortstop prospect Orlando Arcia. But the everyday lineup the Brewers figure to field for much of this season is simply not going to scare many opposing hurlers.
I just don’t see much hope for this team in 2016, especially with the Brewers forced to reside in the very tough NL Central. I believe the O/U win total on this team is considerably higher than it ought to be, perhaps by as much as 3-4 wins, which is a bunch. I would recommend finding the lowest number with the best price and the play is on the Brewers Under.
Bonus Play
I’m combining a 2016 MLB team preview with the Bonus Play for the day. If you’re looking for a very live candidate to be the worst team in the game this season, focus on the Milwaukee Brewers.
Take: MILWAUKEE BREWERS UNDER 69.5
There’s very little to like about the product on the field at Miller Park this season. The Brewers aren’t even trying to fool anyone. They’re looking to build for the future, which is probably a very good idea. But in the meantime, they sure look like a team that could flirt with 100 losses in 2016.
The projected starting rotation is about as shaky as it gets. I’m not sure I can recall ever having come up with this result in the past, although I can’t swear to it. But in working my projected 5×5 fantasy values for the probable starting staff, Jimmy Nelson was the only pitcher to earn a positive figure. The other four guys were all negative value. Anything is always possible, but Nelson, Wily Peralta, Matt Garza, Taylor Jungmann and Chase Anderson form a quintet that’s basically expansion team level. Subbing in one or two others in place of the five I listed doesn’t change the bottom line.
There might actually be some promise in the bullpen, although the eventual closer’s role is still wide open. But Jeremy Jeffress, Will Smith and Corey Knebel could be a decent trio. Of course, one of those three will need to step forward and lock down the ninth inning role, and whether any of them have that closer mindset remains to be seen. But this is potentially an area of reasonable strength for Milwaukee.
Jonathan Lucroy is a high-end catcher if healthy. But whether or not Lucroy is still with the Brewers by the trading deadline is a definite question mark. His services figure to be in demand, and it certainly appears as though Lucroy wouldn’t mind getting a chance to play for a contender. Ryan Braun is still a Brewer, and he’s not the guy he was during the time frame he was “getting help”, plus Braun remains somewhat injury prone. He’s still a good player, but no longer at the superstar level.
The rest of the position player rundown is pretty brutal. Chris Carter, Scooter Gennett, Jonathan Villar, Aaron Hill, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Domingo Santana and a handful of journeyman backups is what I’m seeing. There are some talented up and comers in the wings, headed by exciting shortstop prospect Orlando Arcia. But the everyday lineup the Brewers figure to field for much of this season is simply not going to scare many opposing hurlers.
I just don’t see much hope for this team in 2016, especially with the Brewers forced to reside in the very tough NL Central. I believe the O/U win total on this team is considerably higher than it ought to be, perhaps by as much as 3-4 wins, which is a bunch. I would recommend finding the lowest number with the best price and the play is on the Brewers Under.
Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp NBA Pick, Friday, March 11, 2016 10:35 PM EST
(519) PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS VS (520) GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Your Bonus Play for Friday, March 11, 2016 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Warriors. Portland is No. 8 in the NBA in points scored and rested, working on two days of rest. Portland is on a 10-3 run over the total, including 5-0 over against the Western Conference. Damian Lillard had 41 points and 11 assists, and Portland snapped a three-game losing streak with a 116-109 overtime victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. It was Lillard's 15th straight game with 20-plus points, the second-longest streak in the NBA behind Kevin Durant's 48. CJ McCollum added 18 points for Portland, which moved into sixth place in the Western Conference. Golden State is tops in the NBA in scoring and also likes to run. The over is 18-8 in the Warriors last 26 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. They are also 15-5-1 over the total vs. the NBA Northwest division. The over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings, including 4-1 over the total in the last 5 meetings in Golden State.
Play Portland/Golden State Over the total.
Jim Feist's Comp NBA Pick, Friday, March 11, 2016 10:35 PM EST
(519) PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS VS (520) GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Your Bonus Play for Friday, March 11, 2016 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Warriors. Portland is No. 8 in the NBA in points scored and rested, working on two days of rest. Portland is on a 10-3 run over the total, including 5-0 over against the Western Conference. Damian Lillard had 41 points and 11 assists, and Portland snapped a three-game losing streak with a 116-109 overtime victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. It was Lillard's 15th straight game with 20-plus points, the second-longest streak in the NBA behind Kevin Durant's 48. CJ McCollum added 18 points for Portland, which moved into sixth place in the Western Conference. Golden State is tops in the NBA in scoring and also likes to run. The over is 18-8 in the Warriors last 26 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. They are also 15-5-1 over the total vs. the NBA Northwest division. The over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings, including 4-1 over the total in the last 5 meetings in Golden State.
Play Portland/Golden State Over the total.
Mike Lundin
Pistons vs Hornets
8* NBA Free Pick Charlotte Hornets -4
This looks like a good spot to back the Charlotte Hornets as they host the Detroit Pistons Friday night.
Detroit is off back-to-back wins against the Trail Blazers and the Mavs, the most recent a 102-96 victory at Dallas Wednesday. They're however 1-9 ATS since Nov. 09, 2015 on the road after a game as a road dog and 1-7 ATS in their last eight games playing on one days rest.
The Hornets are buzzing entering the game as winners of five straight and 11 of the last 13. They're 4-1 ATS in their last five home games and crushed Detroit 104-84 here at Time Warner Cable Arena on Dec. 7.
Both teams will come to play as the two Eastern Conference rivals are battling to make it to the postseason, but we can note that Charlotte is 12-7-1 last 20 Friday night games in front of the home town crowd and home court advantage should be massive here.
Pistons vs Hornets
8* NBA Free Pick Charlotte Hornets -4
This looks like a good spot to back the Charlotte Hornets as they host the Detroit Pistons Friday night.
Detroit is off back-to-back wins against the Trail Blazers and the Mavs, the most recent a 102-96 victory at Dallas Wednesday. They're however 1-9 ATS since Nov. 09, 2015 on the road after a game as a road dog and 1-7 ATS in their last eight games playing on one days rest.
The Hornets are buzzing entering the game as winners of five straight and 11 of the last 13. They're 4-1 ATS in their last five home games and crushed Detroit 104-84 here at Time Warner Cable Arena on Dec. 7.
Both teams will come to play as the two Eastern Conference rivals are battling to make it to the postseason, but we can note that Charlotte is 12-7-1 last 20 Friday night games in front of the home town crowd and home court advantage should be massive here.
