DraftKings was actually a little late to the DFS party. You’d never know it by looking at how prevalent they are everywhere. They have done a wonderful job marketing, nabbing up partnerships with MLB and several major sports franchises along the way. They are one of the two big fishes in the sea right now. Back in the early days of DFS every site had a little chat box that was a place for three things usually. 1) Trash talking, 2) Whining, 3) Immature potty humor that quickly degenerated into things that you’d read on a Yahoo! article comments section. DraftKings came into being after the chat box phenomenon had started to fade away. It’s really no surprise these chat boxes have gone the way of the buffalo, but there are a few smaller sites where they still exist. All of this was a long introduction into me reading one of these chats the other day and seeing someone whining about “stupid Coors stacks”. I’m a Coors stacker, it’s what I do. I try every way I can to get as much exposure to that place as I possibly can on a given night. For me, it’s a worthwhile gamble and one that pays off more often than not. It’s not everyone’s bag though, but you have to be aware of the situation. You can always fade Coors in a tournament, figuring most people will be on that game. If Coors is a dud and your guys go off, you should have a nice advantage. You could go with the flow and stack Coors, or you could just sprinkle in Coors action and pick your spots. The final option of course, if the Coors stacks really bother you is to just sit those nights out. No one will think any less of you. If you are playing tonight, one name I highly discourage fading is Wilin Rosario. Wilin is a beast with the stick and is superhuman when he’s got the platoon advantage (.325/.360/.623 career slash line). Toss in the Coors factor and for $3,600 with eligibility at first base or catcher and there’s no excuse for fading Wilin tonight. Here are a few more fellas you shouldn’t be fading this evening.
New to DraftKings? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well try out this 18 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.
No shout out this week as our contest once again didn’t run last week. Darn shame too, my picks went ham. *Blows on knuckles* Let’s see if we can get this bad boy to run tonight so I can give a shout out next week.
Francisco Liriano, SP: $10,300 – Mad Max and Kluber are your defacto aces tonight. If you’re looking to save a few bucks though, Liriano is a fine third choice. Liriano at PNC park has a career 3.17 ERA and is someone I always check out when he’s at home. The Padres are all over the map, but are 3rd in the league in strikeouts, bottom 5 in team OPS and have recently started Jedd Gyorko at clean-up.
Brett Anderson, SP: $7,600 – Anderson is my favorite pitcher to pair with an ace tonight. He and the Dodgers are a massive -260 favorite vs. the woeful Phillies. Anderson has really been pitching great this year too, he seems very undervalued for a guy that hasn’t given up more than 4 runs in a start all year and he has only done that twice. Limited downside and nice upside are two great qualities in a second starter.
Manny Banuelos, SP: $5,900 – For those of you trying to cram in Mike Trout and Albert Pujols tonight, you’re going to have to dig deep at SP and I have two choices for you here. Option one is not for the faint of heart. The Brewers have been tearing the cover off the ball lately, but I think Manny can slow them down. Banuelos was a top prospect way back in twelve after twenty when injuries sent his career into a stand still. Injuries halting progress is much different than a guy just going bust. I’m a believer in the kid with the good sinker and a believer in the Braves organization resurrecting a pitcher’s career.
Kevin Gausman, SP: $5,800 – Gausman would be starting for the NL All-star team if he were with the Braves right now. Well, maybe not, but the Orioles have done him no favors. I thought starting him in Toronto was a death sentence, but the gas man responded well with 6.1 scoreless and 7 Ks. Minnesota isn’t a cakewalk but their team OPS is 90 points lower than Toronto’s. He’s cheap and has nice upside, you can’t ask for much more at this price tag.
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B: $4,400 – E5 is a perfect anti-Coors first baseman tonight. He should be low owned and has the platoon advantage on a pretty “meh” starter in a hitter friendly park. This is a bit of a bargain price for the slugger as well. There’s a lot to like here tonight.
Kelly Johnson, 1B/OF: $3,000 – Matt Garza hit the DL and so Tyler Cravy will get the nod tonight. Kelly has been sitting pretty in the clean-up spot for the Braves lately with Freeman out and for the price tag has nice power upside. I’d call you Cravy if you didn’t think Kelly could easily earn his money tonight.
Johnny Giavotella, 2B: $3,400 – You don’t often find leadoff hitters in the three thousand dollar range, especially not leadoff hitters in Coors field. I’ve been riding Giavotella lately and even without the platoon split, I’ll be doing so again tonight.
Jeff Baker, 1B/2B: $2,600 – Jeff Baker hits lefties. Wade Miley is a lefty. Wade Miley is a very, very bad lefty. Fenway Park is a great place to hit a baseballs. Jeff Baker should hit many baseballs very far tonight.
Nolan Arenado, 3B: $4,800 – I know, it’s a gimme pick, but man do I love this kid. There are two third baseman that I rarely ever fade at home vs. a lefty, Josh Donaldson and Nolan Arenado. Donaldson isn’t even home tonight and costs $600 more than Arenado in Coors. Both of these guys can put up 3 HR games with ease. Cross your fingers and don’t be left out of the fun.
Alexei Ramirez, SS: $3,500 – Toronto is undecided who they’ll be starting tonight as of this writing. I’ve seen Matt Boyd, the guy who couldn’t record a single out vs. the Red Sox last time out and I’ve seen Felix Doubront, the guy that was so bad he couldn’t even stick in the Red Sox rotation. Either way, a bad lefty is likely to take the mound and Alexei typically occupies a prime lineup position. He makes for a nice, cheap SS tonight.
Matt Joyce, OF: $3,500 – A little more cheap Coors field exposure in the outfield. Matt Joyce is always a decent play when facing a righty. When that righty is pitching in Coors, make room for Matt and have a little Joyce in your life.
Chris Colabello, OF: $3,300 – Don’t let the reduced price tag fool you, pretty soda can still rake and still hits 5th in a deadly lineup. I alluded above, but the best stack outside of Coors is the White Sox/ Blue Jays tilt. Get in on that action.
Yasiel Puig, OF: $3,500 – Puig’s price is plummeting practically everywhere these days. Call me crazy but for this price I can’t see not giving Puig a whirl against a pitcher like Chad BIllingsley whose best days seem to be behind him. There’s still talent in Puig, that hasn’t gone anywhere and I’ll take that potential on the cheap.
Gregory Polanco, OF: $3,000 – This is a super sleeper pick tonight with a guy that’s been struggling quite a bit and whose price is at rock bottom. The rub is his opponent who could really help Polanco is out of his funk. Tyson Ross has been wild with 5 walks in each of his last two starts. Ross has also allowed the most stolen bases in the league so far this year with 25 allowed. Jon Lester has allowed 21, and we all know about his troubles. Polanco can flat out run and if he can get on should be able to get himself 1 or maybe 2 steals. It’s a long shot play, but one with some potential. If you find yourself with $3,000 leftover and you’ve already used Kelly Johnson, give Polanco a looksie.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Is it just me or has the weather this year been just brutal with rain? Last night we were all watching the radars and tonight is no different. More rain is expected in Pittsburgh for the Pirates/Padres game. There’s rain forecasted in Cleveland and everyone’s favorite, Coors field.
Doing Lines In Vegas
There’s an 11 over/under for the Coors game tonight and beyond that is a 9 in Boston. Cueto vs. Scherzer takes the low total honors with a 6. Brett Anderson and the Dodgers are a -260 favorite vs. Chad Billingsley and the Phillies.
