There’s a huge Game Five tonight in the Western Conference Finals, as the Warriors try to wrap up the series at home and the Rockets try to send it back to Houston.
Sadly, there will be no DFS contests on the NBA at least until June 4, but in the meantime we can turn out attention to baseball. With several afternoon games on the MLB schedule, the biggest events at DraftKings close soon (at 12:10 Eastern) so this will be a short Spin. There are also MLB pools closing at 8:05 on the four evening ballgames.
DK matches your first deposit 100% (up to $600) with bonus funds that convert to cash. You will also receive a FREE entry into the $50K Moonshot, which offers 3,840 guaranteed cash prizes — $4,000 for first — and is limited to 19,158 teams. Multiple entries are permitted but it only takes one to win.
Handicapping on the diamond begins with pitchers. You need two; relievers don’t matter. Felix Hernandez $12000 is the King, usually worth his lofty salary. I’m going with rookie Noah Syndergaard $7600 (a.k.a. Thor) as my second SP. In the Yankees-Royals game, Michael Pineda $7800 might bounce back from two sub-par starts; he faces Chris Young $4800 who is quietly having a solid season and could overachieve again.
It’s especially important to check official lineups in matinees, as managers often give regulars a rest in a day game after a night game. Russell Martin $4000 will definitely play for the slugging Blue Jays and Francisco Cervelli $3600 is another C in a good groove at the plate.
Carlos Santana $4100 qualifies at both C and 1B; he’s OK after being hit by a pitch and has a good matchup. Toronto’s Chris Colabello $3100 may be the worst outfielder ever, but he’s a good hitter and cheap.
Jason Kipnis $4700 is the “best” 2B but I’m going with Wilmer Flores $3800 who has 5 RBI in the last two games, including a walkoff homer.
3B Josh Donaldson $4300 couldn’t be hotter. His 48 FPTS last night won a lot of money for his DFS owners. Not seeing a standout at a lower price but D.J. LeMahieu $3800 is steady.
While Troy Tulowitzki $4400 is possibly the best SS in baseball, I’m saving a few bucks with the Buccos’ rookie (and Korean league superstar) Jung Ho Kang $3800.
The outfield is where you have a wide variety of talent in every price range. Because I’ve “overspent” on pitching, I can’t afford Milwaukee sluggers Carlos Gomez $5300 or Ryan Braun $5000 today. Jose Bautista $4600 is very tempting after 5 RBI last night but that means looking for OF bargains. Shin-Soo Choo $4000 is one of several Rangers in good form and among the ultra-cheap, I like J.B. Shuck $2500 or Skip Schumaker $2600.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Felix Hernandez $12000 | Michael Pineda $7800 |
| SP2 | Noah Syndergaard $7600 | Chris Young $4800 |
| C | Russell Martin $4000 | Francisco Cervelli $3600 |
| 1B | Carlos Santana $4100 | Chris Colabello $3100 |
| 2B | Jason Kipnis $4700 | Wilmer Flores $3800 |
| 3B | Josh Donaldson $4300 | D.J. LeMahieu $3800 |
| SS | Troy Tulowitzki $4400 | Jung Ho Kang $3800 |
| OF1 | Carlos Gomez $5300 | Shin-Soo Choo $4000 |
| OF2 | Ryan Braun $5000 | J.B. Shuck $2500 |
| OF3 | Jose Bautista $4600 | Skip Schumaker $2600 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.