Sunday is usually getaway day for most baseball teams and all umpiring crews. Everyone will be looking forward to the four-day All-Star break. It’s also get-even day in DFS for those of us with weekly budgets.
DraftKings has contests at 1:10 Eastern on all 15 games, plus Early offerings at 1:10 (10 games) followed by Turbo play (2:10; 4 games) then Late action (4:05; 5 games) — if you like small player pools, try Turbo and Late.
We’re looking at the schedule as a whole. Johnny Cueto $10900 gets to face the Marlins without Giancarlo Stanton (wrist) and should get a W against Dan Haren $6600.
DK matches your first deposit 100% (up to $600) with bonus funds that convert to cash. You also get a FREE entry into the Early $6K Moonshot, with 480 guaranteed prizes — $5,000 for first — and a maximum of 2,300 teams. It closes at 1:10; don’t get shut out.
There are many other excellent SP to consider. While Corey Kluber $11400 and Sonny Gray $9400 is a high-priced duel, it’s not easy to pick a winner and the bullpens could decide it. Jake Arrieta $10000 is trying to be the stopper at Wrigley against Jose Quintana $8100 in the Chicago Series. The final game of the first half is on national TV, featuring Francisco Liriano $9700 at home vs. rookie lefty Tim Cooney $4600.
Looking for potential bargains on the mound, we like Andrew Heaney $7500, who is 3-for-3 in quality starts since being promoted to the Show. If Felix Doubront $4800 can duplicate his Tuesday start, that’s a terrific price.
Be extra careful on Sunday that the hitters you like are actually in the lineup. Salvador Perez $3900 got Saturday off, so he’s sure to play. John Jaso $3600 is also a “safe” choice at C, because he’s a DH.
The Mets have won two straight over the D-Backs with great pitching. My crystal ball sees 1B Paul Goldschmidt $5100 and his teammates waking up today vs. lefty Jonathan Niese $7300. I also like Joe Mauer $4000 and the Twins, but might stick with C.J. Cron $3100, who has enjoyed a very productive week without any significant rise in salary.
Brian Dozier $4700 and Jose Altuve $4100 are both good choices at second, and the Giants are having a great weekend against the hapless Phillies. All-star Joe Panik $3400 is back in the groove and teammate 2B/3B Matt Duffy $3200 is even hotter after missing the cycle by a HR last night.
Always a threat at Fenway Park, Alex Rodriguez $4300 has gone deep in the first two games of this series. Juan Uribe $3900 made owners happy last night, but we’re using Duff Man.
SS/OF Hanley Ramirez $4700 had a single and a homer yesterday and Jose Reyes $4400 ran wild (three hits, 3 SB) but we like the price on Carlos Correa $3900 and are not convinced that opposing hurler Matt Moore $7000 is fully healthy.
Mike Trout $5300 has hit in six straight, including five dingers. five bombs in his last four games. Carlos Gomez $4700 had 5 RBI last night, and Andrew McCutchen $5200 might lead the Pirates to a 3-1 win in this huge series after dropping the opener. Nelson Cruz $4600 has seven hits in his last three games and seems due for more power. Among cheaper OF, Angel Pagan $3300 and Gregor Blanco $3000 have been sharp for the Giants, while Chris Young $3100 is many times more dangerous against southpaws.
The Spin will be quiet during the break, return here Friday and Saturday then take next Sunday off for the best of personal reasons — recovering from my daughter’s wedding. Good luck!
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Johnny Cueto $10900 | Felix Doubront $4800 |
| SP2 | Francisco Liriano $9700 | Andrew Heaney $7500 |
| C | Salvador Perez $3900 | John Jaso $3600 |
| 1B | Paul Goldschmidt $5100 | C.J. Cron $3100 |
| 2B | Brian Dozier $4700 | Joe Panik $3400 |
| 3B | Alex Rodriguez $4300 | Matt Duffy $3200 |
| SS | Jose Reyes $4400 | Carlos Correa $3900 |
| OF1 | Mike Trout $5300 | Chris Young $3100 |
| OF2 | Carlos Gomez $4700 | Angel Pagan $3300 |
| OF3 | Andrew McCutchen $5200 | Gregor Blanco $3000 |
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.