2014 Fantasy Baseball: 5 Shrewd Plays For June 26

2014 Fantasy Baseball: 5 Shrewd Plays For June 26

Billy Hamilton Reds
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For any fantasy baseball 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 store for an outstanding day on June 26 and deserve your utmost consideration.

5. 2B Daniel Murphy, New York Mets

Daniel Murphy Mets
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

5. 2B Daniel Murphy, New York Mets

Daniel Murphy Mets
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

With four multi-hit performances in his last six games, this left-handed bat continues to quietly put together a strong season for the Mets. Look for him to keep up the good work today. He'll face starter Vance Worley this evening, and that should put a big smile on Murphy's face. In 17 career at-bats against the right-hander, Murphy sports an eye-popping .706 average with three extra-base hits.

4. SP Doug Fister, Washington Nationals

Doug Fister Nationals
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

4. SP Doug Fister, Washington Nationals

Doug Fister Nationals
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Since shaking off some rust in his first start of the season, this lanky right-hander has been zoned in on the mound. In his last eight starts, he's posted an outstanding 6-1 record, and his 2.03 ERA over that span isn't too shabby either. He'll face a Chicago Cubs team today that is batting a minuscule .223 versus right-handed pitching, and have scored just one run in three of their past four games.

3. DH Adam Lind, Toronto Blue Jays

Adam Lind Blue Jays
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

3. DH Adam Lind, Toronto Blue Jays

Adam Lind Blue Jays
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

This slugger has dealt with the injury bug a bit this season, but when he's in the lineup, he produces like a stud. He'll take his .333 season average with him to the ballpark today to face the Chicago White Sox. The Sox will send the underwhelming arm of Scott Carroll to the hill in this one, and not only are lefties batting .308 against him this season, but Lind has also clobbered right-handed pitching to the tune of a .366 average in 2014.

2. OF Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds

Billy Hamilton Reds
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

2. OF Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds

Billy Hamilton Reds
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Many doubted his ability to hit big league pitching, but it turns out this speedster is doing just fine. His average has improved every month of the season, and is actually above .300 in June. I think he keeps that momentum going today against Ryan Vogelsong. The San Francisco Giants starter owns an ugly 6.06 ERA over his last five outings, and is allowing left-handed bats to hit .291 against him this season.

1. 3B Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants

Pablo Sandoval Giants
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

1. 3B Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants

Pablo Sandoval Giants
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Kung Fu Panda hasn't slowed down much since his torrid May, as he's batting an impressive .388 over his past 14 games. Expect his bat to stay searing hot today when he faces Mike Leake. The Cincinnati Reds hurler has struggled of late as he's allowed 20 runs in his last 30 innings pitched, but that pales in comparison to his struggles against Sandoval. In 17 career at-bats, the 3B is batting a robust .647 against him with two HRs.

Brian Davis is a fantasy writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @SportsGuyBrian, ”Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.


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