Last night, Clayton Kershaw more than justified his enormous cost with a complete-game 3-hit shutout and 11 strikeouts. This evening, Max Scherzer $14000 will attempt to match him. Four other aces with 5-digit salaries take the hill on a full 15-game schedule.
There are Early contests (4:05 Eastern) at DraftKings that include the Phillies visiting Chicago, where Jon Lester $9600 and the Cubs’ hitters are playable. If you like Felix Hernandez $10700 against the slugging Blue Jays, you can also use him Late (9:40; 5 games.)
Making his debut for the Astros just 24 hours after being scratched by the A’s and traded, Scott Kazmir $10200 is the top SP in Turbo pools (8:10; 4 games) and another strong candidate in the 14-game evening slate at 7:05. Others to consider include Corey Kluber $11500 and Chris Archer $11400. No matter who we choose as #1, we need an affordable #2 pitcher.
Pick a winner between Tim Cooney $6500 and Manny Banuelos $6200 in St. Louis. Former Yankee Phil Hughes $6700 might upset Michael Pineda $9000, and the Angels called up Nick Tropeano $6100, who fanned 22 in his last 17 IP at Triple-A, to face the Rangers.
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In tonight’s sample lineup and Short List, Scherzer and Tropeano leave an average of $3700 per bat. A modified stars-and-scrubs might work if you like a couple of extreme bargain hitters; we’re aiming for balance.
For those who bet against Mad Max and save on pitching, Nick Hundley $4000 is the hot catcher. Chris Iannetta $2900 has climbed above the Mendoza Line with 4 HR and an OPS of 1.093 over his last ten.
Three 1B cost $5600 or more, out of our league. Albert Pujols $4300 is the best value, Victor Martinez $3700 is due to break out and C.J. Cron $2900 had a 4-hit game on Tuesday.
2B Jose Altuve $4500 went 4-for-5 with a homer and a steal last night. However, Robinson Cano $3700 has begun to hit and Drew Hutchison $6800 (scratched last night due to illness) struggles on the road.
Nolan Arenado $4900 is excellent 3B value but still expensive. I’m saving with Chase Headley $3300, who drove in three runs last night with a single and double.
At SS Troy Tulowitzki $4400 and Carlos Correa $4800 deserve their salaries but Francisco Lindor $3200 is way more affordable. 2B/SS Tim Beckham $2500 has started four of the last five games with Asdrubal Cabrera on the DL.
Mike Trout $5500 and A.J. Pollock $4900 would be my top two OF if money were no object. Nelson Cruz $4400 and all the Mariners have a favorable matchup. Carlos Gonzalez $4400 went deep last night and could be heating up. With two hits in three straight games, Billy Burns $3700 has bounced back from a mini-slump. Christian Yelich $3300 has bargain potential and Melky Cabrera $2800 hit two homers last night; he could stay hot against Kluber.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Max Scherzer $14000 | Phil Hughes $6700 |
| SP2 | Scott Kazmir $10200 | Nick Tropeano $6100 |
| C | Nick Hundley $4000 | Chris Iannetta $2900 |
| 1B | Albert Pujols $4300 | C.J. Cron $2900 |
| 2B | Jose Altuve $4500 | Robinson Cano $3700 |
| 3B | Nolan Arenado $4900 | Chase Headley $3300 |
| SS | Troy Tulowitzki $4400 | Francisco Lindor $3200 |
| OF1 | Mike Trout $5500 | Carlos Gonzalez $4400 |
| OF2 | A.J. Pollock $4900 | Billy Burns $3700 |
| OF3 | Nelson Cruz $4400 | Christian Yelich $3300 |
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