Fresh off a no-hitter that was almost perfect, Max Scherzer $14000 was somehow even better the start before. In the DraftKings scoring system, his 16-K 1-hitter earned 60.1 points, 6.4 more than the no-no.
It’s too bad you can’t submit an incomplete lineup; I’d go with the Nationals’ ace and eight bats, leaving one spot open. What we need is a relatively inexpensive, safe SP like Trevor May $6300 to pair with him, or a decent risk. Justin Nicolino $5700, undefeated in the Show after a strong 7 IP in Cincinnati. The lefty makes his home debut vs. the Dodgers and can expect some run support.
Or, you could bet against Scherzer with two of Francisco Liriano $10000, Jake Arrieta $9800 and Taijuan Walker $8000 — with a full slate of 15 ballgames there are endless SP combinations that might pay off.
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When you spend 40% of the cap on pitching, you need to pick eight solid bats. I came close on Thursday afternoon, as every hitter contributed something. Painting myself into the same corner tonight, there are two strategies — find some extreme bargains (under $3000) or use all moderately-priced guys.
Even the most expensive catchers like Russell Martin $4200 and Steven Vogt $4200 won’t break the budget. For considerably less, a rested Miguel Montero $3200 is capable of taking John Lackey $7800 deep.
It’s not easy to ignore the top 1B; Miguel Cabrera $5300 has a great matchup. But to afford Mad Max, I’m shopping at the thrift store for someone with power potential like Pedro Alvarez $3600 or Kennys Vargas $3700.
Jose Altuve $4200 is an excellent play at 2B; showing no sign of his hamstring injury, he swiped two bases last night and slashed a pair of doubles. Neil Walker $3600 and Joe Panik $3500 are the slightly more affordable alternatives.
Assuming you can’t afford Miggy or Josh Donaldson $5400 at 3B, Anthony Rendon $4100 is worth considering. Evan Longoria $3800 seems underpriced and 2B/3B Matt Duffy $3200 is playable.
SS Troy Tulowitzki $4100 got Thursday “off” and still scored 16 FPTS with a pinch-hit homer and a walk. Alcides Escobar $4000 has been hot recently and Xander Bogaerts $3400 is good value.
If you aren’t using Mad Max and have the money, OF Giancarlo Stanton $5600 is at home vs. a southpaw and Brett Gardner $5500 is hitting .519 and slugging 1.000 over the last week. I’m rolling with Gregor Blanco $3200 for a third straight day. Midrange plays include Michael Brantley $4600 and Jason Heyward $4200, who went deep three times this week. Other possible bargains include Chris Colabello $3600 and recent callup Jackie Bradley Jr. $2600
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Max Scherzer $14000 | Justin Nicolino $5700 |
| SP2 | Taijuan Walker $8000 | Trevor May $6300 |
| C | Steven Vogt $4200 | Miguel Montero $3200 |
| 1B | Miguel Cabrera $5300 | Pedro Alvarez $3600 |
| 2B | Jose Altuve $4200 | Neil Walker $3600 |
| 3B | Josh Donaldson $5400 | Anthony Rendon $4100 |
| SS | Troy Tulowitzki $4100 | Xander Bogaerts $3400 |
| OF1 | Giancarlo Stanton $5600 | Gregor Blanco $3200 |
| OF2 | Michael Brantley $4600 | Jackie Bradley Jr. $2600 |
| OF3 | Brett Gardner $5500 | Jason Heyward $4200 |
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.