It’s an unusual MLB schedule this week, with every team playing four interleague games. They are divided into home-and-home 2-game series, so this is actually getaway day before the venues shift tomorrow.
There are five matinees to consider. Early contests at DraftKings close at 1:45 Eastern. Michael Wacha $9200 should have no trouble beating the Twins, though rain might be his nemesis. Check the radar close to game time. After three sub-par starts, Scott Kazmir $9400 was brilliant on Thursday. Pairing one of them with Vincent Velasquez $5500 is a possibility; the rookie might have been nervous in his debut, walking four and striking out five in 5 IP.
We’re more focused on evening play, closing at 7:05. Tropical Storm Bill might interrupt or even cancel the Dodgers game in Texas, so there’s some risk in starting Chi Chi Gonzalez $5400 or using Rangers hitters vs. Brett Anderson $6200.
DK matches your first deposit 100% (up to $600) with bonus funds that convert to cash. You’ll also get a FREE entry into the $35K Moonshot, which offers 2,750 cash prizes — $2,000 for first — and a maximum of 13,415 teams.
The red-hot Blue Jays bats were cooled off on Monday — except for 2 HR by Jose Bautista $4500 — ending an 11-game win streak. Now they face Matt Harvey $10800, though the Dark Knight was not his usual dominant self last start. Toronto SP Scott Copeland $4200 was a surprisingly easy winner in his big-league debut and the Mets are not an offensive juggernaut.
Jake Arrieta $9000 and the Cubs were rained out last night but he’s well-rested and worth the money. Hard-throwing Nathan Eovaldi $6900, a Marlin for three seasons, might be revved up to face them for the first time.
The Pirates pounded out 18 hits and 11 runs last night off a lefty starter they had never seen and three White Sox relievers. Against Jose Quintana $8500 tonight, they might keep hitting. I also like the Tigers bats against Michael Lorenzen $4100 and the Orioles to run up the score against Jerome Williams $4000.
Matt Wieters $4200 is a great choice at C, but Francisco Cervelli $3100 is a fantastic bargain. In situations like this, I wish there was a DH spot.
If you didn’t overspend on pitching, Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera $5700 can be plugged in at 1B or 3B. Chris Davis $4500 has the same position flexibility and plenty of power but is no match for Miggy’s consistency. Mark Teixeira $5000 and Prince Fielder $4700 are other options at a loaded position.
2B is trickier. Nobody is scalding hot, so I’m going with Anthony Rendon $4200 in hopes that a breakout is imminent. Bargain hunting? 1B/2B Logan Forsythe $3000 had three hits on Monday from the cleanup spot for the Rays.
3B/OF Josh Harrison $3800 is a must-start for me somewhere after going 4-for-4 last night with 2 SB and three runs scored. Risk-reward play Joey Gallo $3800 has incredible power; he’s as capable of 2-homer nights as he is striking out four times.
Starlin Castro $4100 is swinging the bat well and deserves top billing among a relatively thin shortstop pool, but Jung Ho Kang $3400 qualifies at SS or third, was in the thick of three rallies on Monday and enjoys lefty pitching.
Another must-start in all my lineups is Andrew McCutchen $4800, once again in MVP form on a ballclub with confidence and momentum. If Giancarlo Stanton $5700 gets all of a 100-mph heater from Eovaldi, it may leave the yard at 120. Starling Marte $4700 has to be included if you are stacking Buccos. In the lower price ranges for OF, Lorenzo Cain $4200 is heating up, Steven Souza Jr. $4000 drew a team record five walks last night, Joey Butler $3600 is frequently a bargain and Anthony Gose $3400 swiped a couple more bags on Monday.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Matt Harvey $10800 | Nathan Eovaldi $6900 |
| SP2 | Jake Arrieta $9000 | Scott Copeland $4200 |
| C | Matt Wieters $4200 | Francisco Cervelli $3100 |
| 1B | Miguel Cabrera $5700 | Chris Davis $4500 |
| 2B | Anthony Rendon $4200 | Logan Forsythe $3000 |
| 3B | Josh Harrison $3800 | Joey Gallo $3800 |
| SS | Starlin Castro $4100 | Jung Ho Kang $3400 |
| OF1 | Andrew McCutchen $4800 | Anthony Gose $3400 |
| OF2 | Giancarlo Stanton $5700 | Lorenzo Cain $4200 |
| OF3 | Starling Marte $4700 | Joey Butler $3600 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season and we’re turning out attention to baseball for the summer. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.