Baseball begins early on the weekend. DraftKings features All-Day contests on 15 games, closing at 1:05 Eastern —your only chance to use David Price $11300 in the pivotal game of a huge AL East series. Early contests (4:05; 5 games) include an interesting pitcher’s duel in Tampa.
Brilliant rookie Noah Syndergaard $11500 has been much better in eight starts at home than in seven on the road, so Nathan Karns $8600 and the Rays have an upset chance. For a bargain SP, Martin Perez $4400 took a 2-hitter into the ninth on Sunday, struck out six and costs $200 less today in Seattle.
Late offerings (8:10; 3 games) happen to include the pitchers I like best in the full evening card (7:05; 9 games) so it’s an opportunity to win twice as much.
Tyson Ross $10600 is at home against the lowly Phillies, a better matchup than Garrett Richards $10500 has vs. the still-contending Orioles. Returning from a DL stint (oblique) off an 11-K rehab start, Stephen Strasburg $10100 might be handled carefully, but the Nats should provide plenty of run support.
There aren’t many inexpensive arms with reasonable upside. Mike Foltynewicz $5000 is known for throwing hard and inconsistency. In his first MLB start, Keyvius Sampson $4700 went five innings, striking out six. With only slight improvement, he’ll more than pay his way.
Plays of the Day
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Our Friday #1 C Welington Castillo $4100 went deep yet again, his seventh homer in 10 games. It’s tempting to stay with him. For the cost-conscious, Wilson Ramos $3300 and his DC teammates should feast on Eddie Butler $4300.
Because Paul Goldschmidt $6000 is too expensive, and hoping that Keyvius pitches around him, we are leaning toward David Ortiz $4200 at 1B. Big Papi homered off a southpaw last night, his second bomb in three games. C.J. Cron $2700 delivered a pinch homer and is cheap if he starts.
At 2B, Dee Gordon $4400 is overdue for a big game with bat and wheels. Ian Kinsler $4300 has been hotter over the last 10 games than at any point all season. Jedd Gyorko $2500 has some pop and is inexpensive.
My 3B is Matt Carpenter $4600, 12-for-27 off Wily Peralta $5300, so bad last start that all the Cardinals look underpriced. Our Friday bargain choice 2B/3B Jonathan Schoop $3300 smacked his 8th HR in 111 AB; while that was off a lefty, he actually hits better vs. RHP.
Jhonny Peralta $4200 might surprise against his namesake, or SS is another place to save salary. Ian Desmond $3500 and Francisco Lindor $3400 are reasonable alternatives.
J.D. Martinez $4600 hit his 30th homer and scored 24 PTS on Friday as our #1 selection for $600 more. Mike Trout $5500 snapped out of a rare mini-slump with his 33rd bomb, a single and two walks. Our #3 pick Michael Brantley $4700 added a single, double and 3 RBI. If you spend more on pitching than the sample lineup, you’ll be shopping for OF value. Gerardo Parra $3500 bats second in a potent offense. Jason Heyward $3700 is part of the anticipated St. Louis attack, and Rajai Davis $3300 is a platoon specialist capable of big games.
Pos | Premium | Bargain |
SP1 | Tyson Ross $10600 | Mike Foltynewicz $5000 |
SP2 | Stephen Strasburg $10100 | Keyvius Sampson $4700 |
C | Welington Castillo $4100 | Wilson Ramos $3300 |
1B | Paul Goldschmidt $6000 | David Ortiz $4200 |
2B | Ian Kinsler $4300 | Jedd Gyorko $2500 |
3B | Matt Carpenter $4600 | Jonathan Schoop $3400 |
SS | Jhonny Peralta $4200 | Ian Desmond $3500 |
OF1 | J.D. Martinez $4600 | Gerardo Parra $3500 |
OF2 | Mike Trout $5500 | Rajai Davis $3300 |
OF3 | Michael Brantley $4700 | Jason Heyward $3700 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season and we’re turning our attention to baseball for the summer. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.