It’s a typical split MLB Saturday. One game (TOR @ KC) begins at 2:10 Eastern and is included only in All-Day events at DraftKings. Next, there are seven ballgames to consider in Early contests at 4:10.
Those pools involve an uneven distribution of pitching talent — Chris Sale $12500 and Dallas Keuchel $10300 tower above the other starters. Using both leaves just $3400 per bat. Unfortunately, I’m not confident about a cheap SP with upside to pair with one of them.
Seven evening games begin at 7:15, with a wider assortment of SP at more affordable salaries. That’s our focus today; A.J. Burnett $9400 is the choice to beat John Lackey $8400 in their big NL Central clash. Rookie lefty Eduardo Rodriguez $6500 faces the Yankees for the first time — often an advantage — while the Red Sox know Ivan Nova $6400 much better. I like C.J. Wilson $7400 more than the struggling Hisashi Iwakuma $6300 in their clash.
There are also a couple of pitchers to bet against tonight. David Buchanan $4000 might have trouble with the Giants, and Colby Lewis $5900 was shelled for 10 ER in 4 IP on Sunday.
DK matches your first deposit 100% (up to $600) with bonus funds that convert to cash. You also get a FREE entry into the $70K Moonshot, with 5,400 guaranteed prizes — $5,000 for first — and a maximum of 26,820 teams. It closes at 4:05; enter now and make lineup changes until each player’s game begins.
We keep picking Yasmani Grandal $4300 at C and he keeps contributing. Jonathan Lucroy $3900 and the Brewers have been hot recently. A possible bargain is one-time prospect Jesus Montero $3000, called up to DH and play some 1B vs. lefties.
It could be high-scoring at Dodger Stadium with 1B Adrian Gonzalez $4700 and Adam Lind $4500 both in the thick of things. David Ortiz $4300 is playable at a position weakened by injuries. We had C.J. Cron $2800 on yesterday’s Short List and he went deep — twice!
Pittsburgh native Neil Walker $4200 is a solid pick at 2B after a huge Friday, and Rougned Odor $3800 has an OPS of 1.010 over his last ten. Joe Panik $3400 erupted last night with four hits including a homer.
I’m staying with Manny Machado $4400 at third, though a bit concerned that Jordan Zimmermann $9200 will mow down the Orioles. Pablo Sandoval $3400 and 3B/OF Brock Holt $3300 are attractively priced.
Two more Red Sox qualify at SS; Xander Bogaerts $4100 and Hanley Ramirez $4700, who is also OF-eligible. Still cheap, 2B/SS Cesar Hernandez $3000 has been productive.
Topping the OF salaries as usual, Bryce Harper $5700 is certainly capable of 2-HR days, but Mike Trout $4900 is delivering them, now with five bombs in his last four games. Carlos Gomez $4900 has also been hot, and Nelson Cruz $4600 matches up well against any southpaw. Cheaper options include Matt Kemp $4300, Josh Hamilton $3500, Alejandro De Aza $3300 and Holt.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | A.J. Burnett $9400 | C.J. Wilson $7400 |
| SP2 | Jordan Zimmermann $9200 | Eduardo Rodriguez $6500 |
| C | Yasmani Grandal $4300 | Jesus Montero $3000 |
| 1B | David Ortiz $4300 | C.J. Cron $2800 |
| 2B | Neil Walker $4200 | Rougned Odor $3800 |
| 3B | Manny Machado $4400 | Pablo Sandoval $3400 |
| SS | Xander Bogaerts $4100 | Cesar Hernandez $3000 |
| OF1 | Mike Trout $4900 | Josh Hamilton $3500 |
| OF2 | Carlos Gomez $4900 | Alejandro De Aza $3300 |
| OF3 | Nelson Cruz $4600 | Brock Holt $3300 |
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.