It’s a typical split Saturday on the diamond. Clayton Kershaw $14000 is the big gun in Early MLB contests at DraftKings (4 games; 1:05 ET) though Michael Pineda $10400 vs. Hisashi Iwakuma $6800 could be an interesting duel. Despite 25 K and no walks in his last three, Jose Quintana $9200 has two losses due to poor run support.
We have several more excellent SP to consider in the evening (11 games; 7:05). Corey Kluber $11500 and David Price $11200 are former Cy Young winners in sharp form. Scott Kazmir $9600 left his last start after three IP due to a minor triceps issue but did not require a DL stint and returns nine days later. Francisco Liriano $10200 and Tyson Ross $8900 are both playable.
There are also Turbo (2 games; 8:10) and Late contests (2 games; 9:05) but we’re focused on the largest player pools and largest payouts in our sample lineup and Short List.
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For a possible bargain SP, rookie Manny Banuelos $4700 is an underdog with a good chance at home against Jon Lester $9800 and the Cubs. I’m also considering Jake Peavy $5000, whose second start off the DL (back) was much better than his first.
Sometimes it pays to zig when “everyone else” zags. Assuming a lot of entries will spend in the $20000 range for pitching and shop for value in all eight hitting spots, we’re going with two “undersized” lefties (Kazmir and Banuelos) and loading up on bats, especially in the outfield.
Picking hitters begins with identifying the weakest pitchers, then the best individual matchups. The Angels beat up on Rick Porcello $5600 back in May and he’s been inconsistent all season. Chad Billingsley $4000 has a 6.75 ERA, great news for the Marlins. I also like the Astros against Colby Lewis $6100 and the Padres vs. Chad Bettis $6300.
Buster Posey $4700 is deservedly the top-salaried C, with Steven Vogt $3600 more affordable and Chris Ianetta $2500 dirt cheap after 2 HR in his last four before the break.
Posey is also eligible at 1B, where Prince Fielder $4500 and Albert Pujols $4400 have favorable matchups. In the large part of a platoon, big Justin Bour $3000 had three doubles and 5 RBI in his final two pre-break starts.
Gotta like Jose Altuve $4200 at second, though 2B/3B Matt Duffy $3800 is playable somewhere and Neil Walker $3500 is underpriced.
Many of the best 3B are facing very tough pitching tonight, so Matt Carpenter $4100 gets our call. After a disappointing first half, long-time star Adrian Beltre $3500 might pick it up.
No ordinary rookie SS, Carlos Correa $4600 is showing so much speed, power and defense at age 20 that he is on the superstar path. OF/SS Hanley Ramirez $4000 is a decent price and we continue to like Francisco Lindor $2900 if you are bargain-hunting.
Mike Trout $5600 followed up his brilliant first half with a walkoff homer to win a 1-0 thriller last night. J.D. Martinez $5200 also picked up where he left off with his 26th bomb of the year and Hunter Pence $4800 has been on fire in six games since his return; there’s nothing wrong with that wrist. Though he took an 0-fer on Friday, former MVP Andrew McCutchen $4800 is poised for a big second half.
If you can’t afford those high-priced OF sluggers, we’re also bullish on Matt Kemp $4000, Jason Heyward $3700 and Christian Yelich $3700. There are always a few live longshots in the lower salary range, and I often fill the third OF spot last with a “best available” type.
Today is my daughter’s wedding and I’m taking Sunday off to recover from what will be a fabulous party. See you here on Monday.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | David Price $11200 | Manny Banuelos $4700 |
| SP2 | Scott Kazmir $9600 | Jake Peavy $5000 |
| C | Buster Posey $4700 | Steven Vogt $3600 |
| 1B | Albert Pujols $4400 | Justin Bour $3000 |
| 2B | Jose Altuve $4200 | Neil Walker $3500 |
| 3B | Matt Carpenter $4100 | Adrian Beltre $3500 |
| SS | Carlos Correa $4600 | Francisco Lindor $2900 |
| OF1 | Mike Trout $5600 | Matt Kemp $4000 |
| OF2 | Hunter Pence $4800 | Jason Heyward $3700 |
| OF3 | Andrew McCutchen $4800 | Christian Yelich $3700 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season and we’re turning our attention to baseball for the summer. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.
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