I usually focus mostly on pitching in DraftKings, but today doesn’t give many good options. The top tier is good but pricey of course, and I don’t see much value in any starting pitcher under $8,000. So today I’ll mostly focus on hitting and stick with the expensive starting pitchers like Clayton Kershaw, Matt Harvey, and Michael Wacha. So read on and blog, and share your strategies for your DFS lineups. Do you always play top pitchers regardless or matchup? Do you have at least one top pitcher? Or do you pick low-priced pitchers to keep you hitters strong? Do your 50/50 and ‘Guaranteed’ lineups differ in strategy? Share what has worked for you.
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Buster Posey, C/1B: $4,500 – If I start Posey I’ll play him at the catcher position. He’s quietly hitting close to .300 with 11 home runs. I think most people don’t like to spend this much money on a catcher, but then again most people aren’t as big of a Posey fan as I am.
Stephen Vogt, C/1B: $4,200 – Like Posey, Vogt is eligible at first base or catcher. He’s $300 cheaper than Posey and just as hot at the plate lately. Bay area catchers are the in-thing. The Athletics face pitcher Chris Young. I like the matchup.
Wilson Ramos, C: $3,600 – This is best value at the position. $900 less than Posey and $600 less than Vogt. Ramos has also been hitting well of late. The Nationals face pitcher Adam Morgan of the Phillies. Yes, that Adam Morgan.
Todd Frazier, 1B/3B, $4,600 – Seems like every Saturday I want to start Frazier and he doesn’t end up doing much. Maybe Saturday just isn’t his day. He’s priced pretty low compared to other first basemen, and I can only assume it is because he’s on the road against Matt Harvey.
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B: $5,100 – He’s gone down in price since last Saturday. Maybe because he isn’t getting three hits every game. Or maybe it’s because he faces Andrew Cashner at PetCo. That was a joke btw.
Logan Forsythe, 1B/2B: $3,300 – He’s been hitting really well in the Rays’ lineup. He’s a better option at second base but if you don’t want to spend a lot on a first baseman, he’s the perfect option. He faces Wade Miley at home.
Logan Morrison, 1B/OF: $3,200 – I have never played Logan Morrison in DFS or season-long fantasy baseball. He’s a fun guy to follow on Twitter though. He’s getting consistent playing time with the Mariners and is hitting decently. He’s a good price versus Angels’ starter Garrett Richards.
Luis Valbuena, 2B/3B: $3,400 – He might be the only guy to have 19 homers with a .730 OPS, but then again I didn’t check. I am just amazed that he continues to hit home runs at this rate. I had higher hopes for him when he played with the Cubs, but he never got a normal shot at regular playing time. Now that he’s playing nearly every day with the Astros, he’s putting up the homers. At this price, he’s one to consider at second base.
Ben Zobrist, 2B/OF: $4,700 – He does very little of everything, but in DFS that can payoff. He is very unlikely to hit a grand slam so if you think he’ll get on base a few times and score a run or two, he might be worth playing at the tuff second base position. At this price, I’m probably looking elsewhere, like at Forsythe.
Dee Gordon, 2B: $4,000 – Flash’s son is only 4k because he’s facing Clayton Kershaw. But Kershaw hasn’t been so hot lately. There’s a very good chance you’re starting Kershaw in today’s boring pitcher options, but Gordon can get on base, steal, and score runs. I wouldn’t let Kershaw stop you from playing Gordon at this price.
Manny Machado, 3B: $5,100 – Manma is still hitting leadoff for the Orioles, and still hitting really well. The O’s are at home against Indians’ starter Cody Anderson. Yes, that Cody Anderson.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B: $3,400 – The price is right here for me. Don’t underestimate the value of a vet like Sandoval. The Red Sox face starting pitcher Matt Andriese in Tampa. No, not that Matt Andriese.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B: $4,500 – A-Rod didn’t play yesterday, but he has hit safely in 9 straight games. Decent price for a streaky hitter.
Carlos Correa, SS: $4,200 – I’m very surprised he’s only the fourth highest priced shortstop. The Astros are at home against Masahiro Tanaka, but that isn’t stopping me from starting Correa. Hands down the best overall prospect in the game will be in my DraftKings lineup.
Alcides Escobar, SS: $3,900 – I really like this price for Escobar who has been hitting really well over the past couple weeks. If for some reason you aren’t playing Correa, here is your SS.
Xander Bogaerts, SS/3B: $3,900 – Correa and Escobar are my top two options for SS today, but Bogaerts is a bit intriguing. He’s starting to be the prospect we expected.
Chris Colabello, OF: $3,600 – All he’s doing is hitting really well. I’m not sure how or why, but this isn’t your Dad’s Colabello. He’s a great play for this price.
J.D. Martinez, OF: $5,200 – His price tag has gone up a lot, but deservedly so. He keeps hitting home runs, but a reason why he is priced this high could be because the Tigers’ face starting pitcher John Danks.
Mookie Betts, OF: $4,600 – Mookie Monster has been hot hot hot. I like the price in comparison to the higher priced outfielders.
Brett Gardner, OF: $5,400 – I never thought Brett Gardner would be priced this high but today he is. This isn’t your older brother’s Brett Gardner. He’s hitting for power and average. He’s putting stats up in every hitting category.
Billy Burns, OF: $4,500 – Like Gardner, you want a player like Billy Burns in your lineup. He is Oakland’s leadoff hitter, and is hitting, scoring, and stealing in nearly every game. I like the matchup again, against Royals’ starter Young.
Ben Revere, OF: $3,800 – There is a very good chance Revere will be in my lineup today if the game isn’t rained-0ut. His confidence has to be sky-high after hitting a home run off Max Scherzer on Friday. He’s a Billy Burns type player but at a much better price.
George Springer, OF: $4,000 – I’m not sure what has happen to Springer over the past five games. He’s been ice cold since his scorching hot June start. This might be perfect timing to use Springer in a big tourney. I like the price of 4k.
Mike Trout, OF: $5,300 – I don’t need to convince anyone to start Mike Trout, but I just want to point out he’s $500 less than Bryce Harper, and $100 less than Brett Gardner. Does that mean you’re definitely playing Trout, or no way playing Gardner?
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Very good chance of rain all day in the Nationals/Phillies game. About the same odds in the Braves/Pirates game. Looks like it is definitely raining in Detroit between the White Sox/Tigers. Slight t0 decent chance of rain in New York between the Reds/Mets. The rain and thunder should go away around 6pm in Miami so the Dodgers/Marlins should get it all in. The darkest clouds of the day could be in Baltimore as the Indians/Oriole’s game looks iffy to make it.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Of course you’re only gambling on the games that don’t have a chance of rain. Doesn’t leave many options but I like the over 7.5 runs in the Rockies/Giants game. I like the under 7 runs in the Padres/Diamondback game.
Great write up, almost too many great options! I think Vogt may sit today, he was hit on the hand.bim going to play Phegley
Thanks. Yeah I saw that too late.