It’s a limited baseball schedule on Thursday, with four games in Early contests at DraftKings closing at 1:05 Eastern. A pair of aces, David Price $12200 and Masahiro Tanaka $10100, will be very popular DFS selections despite their high salaries. Only two ballgames are in Late contests at 9:40; stack the Brewers against a raw rookie SP who is not even in the DK database.
We are most interested in the 7-game evening slate (7:05) where Clayton Kershaw $14500 looms large after two magnificent starts — 27 K, 0 BB in 17 scoreless IP. Unfortunately, there isn’t an ideal bargain to pair with him. Wade Miley $6400 has been alternating very good and mediocre efforts; on his best day the lefty might outpitch rookie Lance McCullers $9300.
If you don’t use Kershaw, Francisco Liriano $10300 is next on the salary scale but he’s been bothered by a sore neck and was a late scratch on Saturday. Tyson Ross $9100 is the most obvious play. The Padres’ ace with John Lackey $8400 or Jeff Samardzija $9000 leaves more to spend on bats.
Plays of the Day
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In Late leagues, Mike Fiers $7700 should get plenty of run support. It’s risky, as he faces the Diamondbacks in their hitters’ park, but he’s been much better over his last five starts.
No offense to Zack Godley or his supporters, and congratulations on a dream come true. The 25-year-old was a decent college pitcher and 10th-round draft pick whose two pro seasons do not indicate readiness for the Show. In just three starts above A-ball, his ERA is 5.14, with 8 K and 6 BB in 14 IP. If it was legal, I’d use an all-Milwaukee lineup against him.
Jonathan Lucroy $3400 is one of those eight (or nine) Brewers to consider, although the price on Yasmani Grandal $3200 is tempting. Even when stacking, you must use hitters from at least two other teams and the Dodgers’ C is a strong candidate.
At 1B it’s an ideal matchup for Adam Lind $4400. If you aren’t quite as committed as me, Eric Hosmer $3900 went deep last night and is hitting a ridiculous .454 with a .687 SLG over his last ten.
While Jose Altuve $4400 might be the “best” 2B, Scooter Gennett $3200 has hit in six straight, rapped out two singles and a double last night and would be a bargain against any righty.
Aramis Ramirez $3300 is past his prime at third and at the plate, but he’s reasonable value and fits our strategery. Opening it up to other teams, Mike Moustakas $3700 or 3B/SS Xander Bogaerts $4000 might outproduce A-Ram.
SS Carlos Correa $4700 is at his best vs. LHP (.636 SLG in 55 AB) and hits third on a contending team. He is 20 going on Cooperstown. Milwaukee’s Jean Segura $3900 homered on Tuesday and is obviously playable along with all his teammates; sitting him and Lucroy is mostly a hunch. 3B/SS Jung Ho Kang $3400 continues to be a bargain despite an 1.108 OPS over his last ten.
Ryan Braun $5000 and Carlos Gomez $4900 are as close as we get to must-starts. The third Brew Crew OF will be Gerardo Parra $3800 or Khris Davis $3500. If it’s the latter, we will look to another team. Andrew McCutchen $4400 is affordable, and Michael Brantley $4300 just had a huge night (4-5 with a HR and 4 RBI.) Matt Kemp $4100 has been profitable lately without going up in price. If you need someone cheap with upside, Gregory Polanco $3100 is showing breakout signs.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Clayton Kershaw $14500 | John Lackey $8400 |
| SP2 | Tyson Ross $9100 | Wade Miley $6400 |
| C | Jonathan Lucroy $3400 | Yasmani Grandal $3200 |
| 1B | Adam Lind $4400 | Eric Hosmer $3900 |
| 2B | Jose Altuve $4400 | Scooter Gennett $3200 |
| 3B | Mike Moustakas $3700 | Aramis Ramirez $3300 |
| SS | Carlos Correa $4700 | Jean Segura $3900 |
| OF1 | Ryan Braun $5000 | Gregory Polanco $3100 |
| OF2 | Carlos Gomez $4900 | Matt Kemp $4100 |
| OF3 | Michael Brantley $4300 | Gerardo Parra $3800 |
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.