If you haven’t noticed, there’s a little something called football that just kicked off, but baseball is still in full swing over at DraftKings. You know those puns were intended! Anyways, many DFS peeps are preoccupied with pigskin pandemonium, and now is the time to swoop in and loot some overlay while people sleep on our pastime. It’s now September, which means MLB rosters have expanded like the pasta in your garbage disposal (keep it out of there), so stop staring at your fantasy football team(s) for a minute and go explore your options on the baseball side – there’s still fun to be had. There’s also plenty of value out there, so check the selections below, and don’t forget about the DFSBot, which is doing the damn thing until the last pitch is thrown.
New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well try out this 10 teamer of Razzball writers and friends to wet your DK whistle. Just remember to sign up through us before you do. It’s how we know you care!
Jeff Samardzija, SP: $9,600 – Since moving to Oakland, he peaked and then plateaued. Then he crashed. Now he’s peaking again. No, I’m not talking about Wes Welker and a secret trade to the Raiders; we’re talking about the guy whose name I don’t want to type again. He’s riding another high and faces Houston for the fourth time this year, a team he’s beat twice with a 2.78 ERA and 0.88 WHIP (22.2 IP). The Astros also own the third-highest K% in the majors.
Kennys Vargas, 1B: $4,500 – Vargas has tagged RHPs at Target Field to the tune of a 1.285 OPS and .441 ISO. You don’t want in on mercilessness?
Josh Rutledge, 2B/SS: $3,300 – He’s totaled 58 DK points over the last three games, and now’s the time to drop Rutledge in your preferred MI slot and hope the streak continues. He’s hitting .322 versus LHP this season and holds a career .376 wOBA at home against pitchers of the same ilk. Hey, Eric Stults is a lefty and he’s pitching at Coors tonight!
Mookie Betts, OF/SS: $4,000 – Last week, I called 2 SBs for Billy Hamilton, and I still haven’t received any thank you cards. That’s BS because he stole two bases! That’s fine; I hate cards, especially buying them. I don’t hate Mookie tonight against Drew Hutchison though. I’ll double down and guarantee at least one swipe for Betts, who has raised his average 45 points since 8/22. Hutchison has allowed the third-most SB among SP in the AL – that helps.
Bryce Harper, OF: $4,000 – Opposing lefties are hitting .300 against Jerome Williams, and Harper is on a power surge with 4 HR in the last 7 days. There are some seasonal fantasy owners who are smiling for the first time in months.
Dayan Viciedo, OF: $3,600 – Three dongs in one week won’t get you a job at Vivid, but that’s solid production from a baseball player. Viciedo is swinging a hot stick and sets up nicely against lefty T.J. House, who has a 1.93 HR/9 at home versus right-handed hitters.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Denver, Detroit, DC, and Cleveland: watch that weather, boss.
Doing Lines in Vegas (12-20-2 overall)
I went 2-0 last week, so suck it if you were reversing my picks (but thanks for reading). I’m going streaking with the unders in STL/MIL (8) and KC/NYY (7.5).
