I continue to standby the fact that spending the most money on pitchers is the smartest strategy in DraftKings. It’s not necessarily the safest, because your pricey pitcher could get lit up on any given day. It’s no secret that DraftKings has priced pitchers higher than any other position. It pretty much forces you to pay the price for a pitcher, unless you catch one on a day where a highly touted prospect gets his first opportunity in the big leagues. At this point, I’m sure we’ve all tried different strategies, and got various results. Clayton Kershaw is $14,000 today. That number is correct, and not an error. At first glance, I wasn’t sure how anyone would fit Kershaw into their lineup at this price, but he’s back to being the dominant pitcher like last year. He’s had 9 straight Quality Starts, and 87 strikeouts during that streak. I might be one of few to pick Kershaw in a big ‘Guaranteed’ entry, as it is very easy to scroll down past the most expensive player. Kershaw and the Dodgers are on the road against the Nationals, which should shy away your fantasy opponents.
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David Price, SP: $11,200 – Price is $2,800 less than Kershaw, and pitching at home against the Orioles. I like the matchup and the price. You already know he can put up the Kershaw-like numbers.
Jon Lester, SP: $9,800 – He has a 4-8 record at the midway point, and I’m not sure he’ll get a win today against the Braves. Lester has been pitching pretty well lately. He’s had at least 7 strikeouts in 4 of his last 5 starts.
Jose Quintana, SP: $9,200 – Quintana has really moved up in price on DraftKings, but deservedly so. He’s pitched very well over his last 9 outings, posting 9 straight Quality Starts. The strikeouts have been there for him lately too. But beware he’s at the very bottom in the run support category. The White Sox are at home against the AL Champs.
Tyson Ross, SP: $8,900 – This is a very good price for a first pitcher. Ross has been up and down this season, but he’s been more up than down lately. I really like the matchup at home against the Rockies.
Jake Peavy, SP: $5,000 – Very cheap but I can be confident in Peavy as my second pitcher. He’s pitched well lately. He might not pitch deep into the game or get a ton of strikeouts, but I like the matchup on the road against the Diamondbacks, and the chance that he can get the win with the Giants’ bats to support him.
Yasmani Grandal, C: $3,800 – Once again we are not given many good options at the catcher position, and at this price, I’ll take Grandal who’s been the best of the bunch over the past few weeks. I like the matchup against Doug Fister.
Jonathan Lucroy, C: $3,200 – If I have to go with a cheaper catcher, I’ll probably go with Lucroy. I’m not thrilled with this idea but Lucroy has the potential to put up big numbers, even though he has done nothing all season.
Billy Butler, 1B: $3,600 – Butler isn’t doing anything great this season, but I like the price and the matchup against Phil Hughes. Butler is hitting in the middle of the Athletics’ lineup and could knock a few in. This pick is more about the price than the confidence that he’ll do something big.
C.J. Cron 1B: $3,000 – Angels’ fans have had high hopes for Cron over the past season and a half. He can definitely hit, and he’s done so since being recently recalled. At this price, if you’re looking for a very cheap option, here he is. The Angels are at home against Rick Porcello.
Brian Dozier, 2B: $4,600 – His confidence has to be at an all-time high now that he’s hit a homer in the All-Star Game. Dozier scores a lot of runs and seems to put the stats up in every category.
Jose Altuve, 2B: $4,200 – The best second baseman in the league seems like a bargain for today’s matchup. I’ve said before that I can’t start Altuve every time, but like the catcher position, second basemen just aren’t destroying the hitting categories. The Astros are at home against Colby Lewis.
Miguel Sano, 3B: $3,700 – Wow, how fast he’s moved up in price! The young rookie was among the top talented prospects in the league over the past few years. His career has started out well in the bigs. The Twins are on the road against Scott Kazmir.
Xander Bogaerts 3B/SS: $3,200 – Bogaerts is eligible at both positions, but I like him better at the 3B spot today. He’s on an 11 game hitting streak. The Red Sox are on the road against Garrett Richards.
Hanley Ramirez, SS/OF: $4,000 – This price seems a little much for your SS but if you can find a way to get him in there go for it. Today, I’d prefer to find a cheap OF rather than a cheap SS.
Jimmy Rollins, SS: $3,000 – Rollins is back against the NL East today. The familiar territory is appealing, and the price is really cheap. Check to see if he’s in the Dodgers’ lineup today.
Mike Trout, OF: $5,600 – Nothing much to say. We all know Trout is the best player in baseball. His ASG performance was incredible again.
Andrew McCutchen, OF: $4,800 – This pick is about price and talent. He’s the third priciest OF in the afternoon entries, but this still is a very good price for such a great player. The Pirates are on the road against Jimmy Nelson.
Gerardo Parra, OF: $3,800 – This is a great price for one of baseball’s hottest hitters. Gotta love the .841 OPS for a non-power hitter.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
There’s a 50/50 chance of thunderstorms in New York between the Mariners and Yankees. Decent chance of thunderstorms in DC for the Dodgers/Nationals’ game, but it’s less likely there than in New York. Same can be said in the Marlins/Phillies’ game. Looks like around a 30% chance of rain and thunder in San Diego, as there is a hurricane in the pacific that could bring Southern California some unfamiliar weather.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Picking a three dog parlay: I’ll take the Pirates at +102, the White Sox at +120, and the Twins at +145.