Since returning from the disabled list, Chris Sale ($11,600) has pitched nine scoreless innings with 14 strikeouts and only one walk. He tops the Stream-o-Nator this morning at a $29 value and faces a Padres lineup that is dead last in team batting average and also in the top ten for team strikeout percentage (21.9%). He’s the most expensive option at DraftKings today, but he still comes in at under $12K so it doesn’t completely handcuff your hitters. I’m building around him and counting on 25 points from the 25-year-old southpaw.
If you are new to DraftKings, use our promo link to get started. New players that click on that link will get a free contest ticket with a first time deposit (only new users eligible). The winner of the contest gets entry into our $500k Showcase with a $100k top prize. Also, if you haven’t tried the DFSBot via Rudy, check it out: it compares projected values to actual DFS prices for the day. Here are some of today’s other picks for DraftKings contests on 6/1/2014…
Jon Niese, SP: $7,300 – The Mets/Phillies series is a five-gamer that has already gone on for an eternity. Back-to-back marathon games the past two days have left both teams a little depleted. Niese has held the left-handed core of the Phils’ lineup (Rollins, Utley, Howard, Brown) to a combined .154 batting average with zero home runs. He’s a value pick under $8K.
David Wright, 3B: $4,800 – On the other side of the Phils/Mets game we have David Wright. Wright has owned Cole Hamels in his career, hitting .329/.365/.614 with five homers and four steals in 70 at bats against the Philly left-hander.
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B: $4,700 – There are several options I am liking today at first base. Gonzalez gets the platoon advantage against Edinson Volquez (R). Gonzalez has two home runs and a 1.218 OPS against Volquez in a small sample of 12 at bats, but he’ll also cost you more than the players listed below.
Justin Morneau, 1B: ($4,400) – In 13 career at bats, Morneau has gotten to Josh Tomlin (R) for a double and two home runs. He’ll have the platoon advantage against him in Cleveland today. Tomlin isn’t a terrible pitcher, but he’s served up a home run in each of his starts this year.
Adam Lind, 1B: ($4,100) – Another lefty/righty match-up, Lind will draw Jeremy Guthrie (R) and is ranked in the top 15 on the Hitter-Tron today. Guthrie gets DFL honors on today’s Stream-o-Nator board, so stacking Blue Jays in general isn’t a bad idea. Vegas gave this game the highest total on the day as well (9). Lind has a career 134 wRC+ against right-handers at the Rogers Centre, and had another nice afternoon at the dish during yesterday’s mauling of the Royals.
Jason Heyward, OF: $4,300 – Heyward has picked it up, hitting .286/.367/.410 with three homers and four steals in May. Hopefully he can carry that momentum into June, and he’ll get a good match-up today against Nate Eovaldi (R) to start things off. Heyward is 8-for-18 with two doubles, a triple, and a walk against the Marlins hurler.
Xander Bogaerts, SS: $4,000 – As I write this, Bogaerts has tacked on another double and two walks to his recent hot streak. He’s hitting over .400 with a 1.080 OPS in his last ten games. That’s en fuego. At $4K on the nose, he’s a good play at shortstop against Erik Bedard (L) at Fenway.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
There’s a 40% chance of thunderstorms for the SF@STL game. Outside of that, the weather looks like it will cooperate.
Doing Lines In Vegas (4-11)
Give me the over for KC@TOR (9) and TB@BOS (8).
Mike’s on Twitter @643ball
