Happy Matt Harvey Day, everyone! Too bad the scheduling gods didn’t put it at night so we could have some serious DFS fun. Anywho, welcome. I could go on and on about what I do, and how I’ll be here each Thursday for your DraftKings advice, but we’ve been there and done that.
Let’s make you some cash.
Thursday is a weird day, and my spidey-senses tell me it’s going to be this way quite a few times this year. As a go-home day and an off-day, Thursday won’t be like your typical day for baseball. Today, we have games spread throughout the day, with only three night games.
Not cool.
New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well try out this 20 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! If you still feel helpless and lonely, be sure to subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays.
Early games:
Stephen Strasburg, SP: $10,500 – I’m paying up for Strasburg over Harvey…but just barely. Despite the injuries, I still like the Nationals offense more than the Mets. Similar to Wednesday’s Cubs and Cardinals game, I’m tempted to pay up for both studs, but I’d rather put some money toward my bats. He’s 3-1 lifetime vs. the Mets, and in New York, he holds a 1.97 ERA and a .875 WHIP in 32 innings. Sign me up, please.
Kendall Graveman, SP: $5,100 – You can have two Graveman’s and a piece of Bazooka for the cost of Strasburg. Despite Strasburg’s dominance, I feel better in earning a win with Graveman than I do the Nats’ ace. Graveman rose to mixed league relevance by allowing just one earned run in spring training. He won’t give you the strikeouts, but he’ll give you everything else you could want from a bargain pitcher against a lowly offense.
Stephen Vogt, 1B/C: ($3,600) – DraftKings feels our pain. They have Vogt catcher eligible from the jump, which makes him a steal at $3,600 compared to the other options.
Joey Votto, 1B:$4,600 – Great American Ballpark is great for hitters, and horrible for pitchers. I’m stacking both teams in this game as much as I can, starting with Votto. Sorry, I don’t buy A.J. Burnett the second time around in Pittsburgh.
Luis Valbuena, 2B/3B: $3,800 – A good value play for the number three hitter in the Astros lineup facing Trevor Bauer.
Todd Frazier, 1B/3B: $4,400 – I was buying the hype coming into the season on Frazier and while it’s one game, he delivered on Monday. I expect much of the same from him against Burnett.
Elvis Andrus, SS: $3,900 – There’s not much there at shortstop today. I’ve always felt Andrus was overrated, but he’s a decent play today despite his struggles on the road against the A’s.
Jay Bruce, OF: $4,400 – Read Frazier, Todd.
Andrew McCutchen, OF: $5,300 – You have to spend big money somewhere, right? McCutchen has had great success in Cincy throughout his career, and he’s going to exploit Anthony DeSclafani.
J.D. Martinez, OF: $4,400 – He’s going to be a first-round pick in mixed leagues next year. Take advantage of the price while you can.
Late games:
And we thought the early games had their struggles. Oh boy.
Ian Kennedy, SP: $7,800 – Kennedy is my favorite of the six pitchers, and that’s not saying much. San Francisco’s lineup doesn’t scare me at all, and despite the horrible defense behind him, I like Kennedy’s chances.
Daniel Norris, SP: $6,000 – Seriously? It’s Norris or Justin Masterson for me, and I’m not ready to have my emotions toyed with already. Norris impressed me during Spring Training, and while I’m not a fan of the ballpark factor, I do like that he’s a hard-throwing lefty facing the Yankees.
Buster Posey, 1B/C: $4,400 – I don’t like paying up for catcher, but going cheap with Norris allows me to do so. It was Posey or Russell Martin for me, but for an extra $300, how could you not?
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B: $5,000 – Fat CC or skinny CC, I’m stacking the Jays. No middle of the lineup is as dangerous in baseball.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B: $4,000 – I will not fall in love again. I will not fall in love again. I will not fall in love again.
Josh Donaldson, 3B: $4,700 – You’re as likely to get a 0-4 day from Donaldson as you are to get a 1-4 with a home run and 2 RBI. I’ll take my chances.
Hanley Ramirez, SS/OF: $4,800 – No Tulo means that Hanley gets the automatic nod. I don’t expect two home runs again, but David Buchanan doesn’t exactly translate to fear.
Jose Bautista, OF: $5,000 – Again, stacking the 3-4-5 against CC in Yankee Stadium. I’ll take all the home runs for 500, Alex.
Mookie Betts, OF: $4,300 – There are three things I want you to learn. One is to start Adam Lind against right-handed pitching each and every time. Two is to start Caleb Joseph until Matt Wieters comes back. Three is to take advantage of Mookie Bett’s price until DraftKings raises it.
Angel Pagan, OF: $3,900 – A steal for the number three hitter in the Giants lineup. He can’t always stay healthy, but while he is, ride him to some cash.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
There’s seven games tomorrow that have a chance to be impacted by severe rain or thunderstorms, including the Nationals and Mets. I swear, if Matt Harvey day gets put on hold…
Doing Lines In Vegas
Vegas has the opening line over/under for the Reds and Pirates at 8. It’s the second-highest of the day, so stack your Reds and Pirates. Stack everyone!
