Red Sox (Nick Pivetta, RHP) @ Nationals (Josiah Gray, RHP)
Phillies (Zack Wheeler, RHP) @ Blue Jays (Yusei Kikuchi, LHP)
Pirates (Bailey Falter, LHP) @ Mets (David Peterson, LHP)
Yankees (Luis Severino, RHP) @ Braves (Bryce Elder, RHP)
Tigers (Alex Faedo, RHP) @ Twins (Bailey Ober, RHP)
Athletics (Spenser Watkins, RHP) @ Cardinals (Dakota Hudson, RHP)
Angels (Lucas Giolito, RHP) @ Rangers (Jordan Montgomery, LHP)
White Sox (Touki Toussaint, RHP) @ Cubs (Kyle Hendricks, RHP)
Mariners (Emerson Hancock, RHP) @ Royals (Jordan Lyles, RHP)
D-backs (Joe Mantiply, LHP) @ Rockies (Ty Blach, LHP)
Orioles (Jack Flaherty, RHP) @ Padres (Michael Wacha, RHP)
Rays (Zack Littell, RHP) @ Giants (Jakob Junis, RHP)
Brewers (Adrian Houser, RHP) @ Dodgers (Bobby Miller, RHP)

Pitching Preferences

• Zack Wheeler
• Jordan Montgomery
• Bobby Miller
• Kyle Hendricks
• Jack Flaherty
• Michael Wacha
• Dakota Hudson

Favorite Teams

• Braves
• Dodgers
• D-backs
• Cardinals
• Rockies
• Cubs
• Twins

Good evening! I am terribly sorry for the delay in the return of Nez Takes this week. I returned from an excellent bachelor trip in San Diego that featured a round of golf at Torrey Pines South and enough degeneracy that I actually contracted Covid, per two of my at home tests. I’m fine, just a bit weary. On top of some at home things to be taking care of, I am late but I am here, and damn happy to be.

We have a pretty funky slate if I do say so myself. We talked about it at length on the Badge Bros today on Underdog Fantasy HQ. We have one stud pitcher that is not going in the top 3 overall (Zack Wheeler). We have the Braves facing the Luis Severino led Yankees. We have the Cardinals at home facing the Spenser Watkins led A’s. There are many, many spots the field will gravitate to, and they are correct to do so. But we’re not trying to do what everyone else does. And I’m not trying to be correct. I’m trying to win.

How does one win today? Is it as easy as saying something like that with conviction? If it was, everyone would have a blog, and I would be winning a lot more often! But alas, I am a mere mortal compared to the goats (iykyk). How do I plan on winning today?

P: Zack Wheeler/Jordan Montgomery

• One of these pitchers will end up on my winning roster. With Wheeler, I’ll build a stack consisting of 3 or 4 teammates of a team that I feel is overlooked by the field, with a pairing of an overlooked one off. I’m staying away from all chalk when drafting Wheeler.
• With Montgomery, I’m going to try for two pairs of stacks and a one off from an overlooked game. If the chalk hits, and Montgomery deals, that one-off piece could be the difference maker.

Bats: Rockies, Michael Harris, and Twins

• Joe Mantiply is “starting” in a bullpen game. D-backs are 2-8 in their last 10. I’m playing the trends that people might not be seeing and going in on the Rockies at Coors. It is Coors, after all.
• Michael Harris will be on this team. A threat to steal base and a near lock to score a run today, he looks to provide one of the safest floors on the slate at a discount.
• One or more Minnesota Twin will be on my winning team. Faedo is known for his reverse splits, but I’ll gladly take lefty sticks against him today too. Lewis, Wallner, Polanco, Correa, and/or Jeffers will be making up my stacks.

Well, that was fun. Let’s see how those predictions turn out. I hope to bring tomorrows edition much sooner than this one was delivered. Best of luck everyone!

Nez