Mar 19, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Henry Owens (76) pitches in the third inning of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Two top pitching prospects will make their first big-league starts on Tuesday. First, lefty Henry Owens joins a decimated Red Sox rotation at Yankee Stadium against Masahiro Tanaka. The 23-year-old Owens hasn't been quite as impressive as expected this season, posting a 3.16 ERA at Triple A that was accompanied by an unimpressive 103/56 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 122 1/3 innings. For now, Owens shouldn't be considered beyond AL-only leagues.
In Denver, Rockies righty Jon Gray carries a bit more short-term promise. Gray had a 4.33 ERA at Triple A, but the Pacific Coast League is a notorious hitters' haven, and that number has dropped to 3.17 since four terrible April outings. Gray has 110 whiffs against 41 walks in 114 1/3 innings this season, with scouts wishing "they saw dominant outings on a more consistent basis," according to Baseball America. Gray is worth a deep mixed league pickup if you can start him in road games, but he'll probably be limited to another 40-45 innings over the rest of the season.
In other news ...
Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre hit for the cycle on Monday, with his teammates punishing Astros SP Lance McCullers so badly that McCullers is on his way to the minors. The rookie will not start in the minors, as he's nearing an innings limit. You can waive McCullers anytime.
McCullers' terrible start caused the Astros to use Mike Fiers in a five-inning relief stint, so Dan Straily will be called up to start tonight. I always get excited about Straily's minor-league numbers, but he never quite turns the corner after his promotions.
Padres OF Justin Upton is day-to-day after injuring his thumb in Monday's game.
The Giants are struggling with injuries, with 2B Joe Panik (lower back inflammation) on the DL, and OF Angel Pagan (sore knees) possibly in line for another day or two off. The Giants called up speedy infielder Kelby Tomlinson, who hit a pinch single and scored a run on Monday. Tomlinson might get a decent amount of playing time while Panik is out.
The Pirates hope that SP A.J. Burnett (elbow) will be back in four weeks. You're not going to wait on him in your fantasy leagues, though.
Marlins' closer A.J. Ramos has been struggling, but the team isn't planning to make any changes, especially with Carter Capps on the DL.
Wily Peralta got shellacked on Monday, so hopefully you ignored him as our streaming starter recommendation. Today's pick is Mets lefty Jon Niese (owned in 8 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) against the struggling Marlins.
DFS advice (based on 50/50 games, salaries from DraftKings): It's too bad Chris Sale ($12,000) and Chris Archer ($11,700) are pitching against each other. Max Scherzer ($13,500) is obviously a strong ace if you can pair him with an inexpensive SP2 and/or find some cheap bats ... Niese ($6,100) has posted 16 or more DK points in five of his last six starts, and Alex Wood ($7,400) isn't a bad play against the Phillies ... The Dodgers look like an obvious stack option against Jerome Williams, with the Yankees, Rockies and Mariners not far behind ... Tigers C James McCann ($2,900) has crushed LHP with a .458 wOBA in 56 plate appearances ... With Andrew Cashner allowing a .383 wOBA to LHB, Brewers 1B Adam Lind ($3,900) is a fine money saver ... Phillies 2B/SS Cesar Hernandez is still underpriced at $2,800 ... Adrian Beltre ($3,600) is hot and carries a reasonable price ... Padres leadoff hitter Will Venable ($3,000) is a solid OF play.
See you back here tomorrow morning.
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