With just over 1 week to go in the regular season it is important to keep a close eye on starting lineups. Many playoff contenders are playing their regulars, but it’s the non-contenders that you really have to watch. Luckily for us, DraftKings lets you switch out players up until each player’s game time. However, with today’s slate, I have my eyes focused on the first game of the day between the White Sox and Yankees in New York. The Yankees are 4 games back behind the Blue Jays in the A.L. East, so we know they’ll have their regulars out there. The visitors are sending a rookie pitcher to the mound who was formerly their top pitching prospect last season. Of today’s 15 games, he is the least expensive pitcher. Take a hint, DraftKings thinks he’ll get destroyed, and so do I. Today’s most confusing and interesting player is Greg Bird. Out of all the hitters on the Yankees, he’s the most expensive at $4,400 and that is $300 more than the second most expensive Yankee, Alex Rodriguez. The three Yankees’ outfielders are all under $4,000. Bird had hit a home run in three straight games last week, but hasn’t done much since. So does that really warrant him being the most expensive Yankees’ hitter? Certainly not. I don’t think Bird is necessarily a bad play, but knowing that information, I may shy away. I will stack Yankees in an entry though, mostly consisting of the three other infielders, and an outfielder, not to mention their perfectly priced pitcher. I really like the matchup. Read on and check out some of my other DraftKings picks for today.
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Jake Arrieta, SP: $13,600 – He’s in Kershaw territory now but well worth it. No need to explain why he should be in your lineup.
Hisashi Iwakuma, SP: $10,600 – Today’s third priciest pitcher has been very good. He has 19 strikeouts in his last two outings, and one of those was against today’s opponent, the Angels.
Luis Severino, SP: $8,100 – He hasn’t been pitching deep in games, but that is to be expected. He’s a good price against the White Sox.
Henry Owens, SP: $6,600 – The rookie LHP has been looking better and better. He too might not pitch deep into today’s game but he has strikeout potential to help your score.
Russell Martin, C: $3,800 – If you hang out with home run hitters, you are a home run hitter too. Martin has been putting up the power numbers. How many times have we stacked Blue Jays over the past month?
Buster Posey, C/1B – $4,200 – One of my favorites in the game gets a good matchup against Sean Nolin. The battle of the bay continues.
Prince Fielder, 1B: $4,300 – This is a very good price for a hot Fielder. The Rangers continue to fight for playoff position so you know a vet like this has his eye on the prize.
Evan Gattis, 1B: $4,300 – Same reason I like Fielder, is the same reason I like Gattis. Same price, same position, same game. Flip a coin.
Robinson Cano, 2B: $3,800 – Great price for a hot vet at the ever scarce second base position.
Anthony Rendon, 2B/3B: $3,800 – If I don’t spend the money on Altuve, Rendon or Cano will be my second baseman. Rendon continues to hit pretty well at this point in the season.
Matt Carpenter, 3B: $5,000 – If someone told me on Opening Day that Carpenter would finish with more than 25 home runs on the season, I would’ve laughed. Numbers don’t lie. He also has a .853 OPS.
Mike Trout, OF: $4,900 – No brainer of course. Even though I like Iwakuma, it’ll be hard to pass up Trout at this price.
A.J. Pollock, OF: $4,500 – Another no brainer at this price. Pollock is right up there with one of the best overall stat lines in the league.
Shin-Soo Choo, OF: $4,100 – Hits, runs, homers, oh yeah!
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Doesn’t look like there is anything to worry about weather wise.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Go Dogs Go: Going with the Mariners at +117, Rangers at +225, and the Red Sox at +105.
