A full slate of 15 MLB games starts just after noon Eastern. Early contests at DraftKings close at 12:10, featuring excellent pitching in six games. “King” Felix Hernandez $11200 gets the call over Chris Archer $11300 and Francisco Liriano $10300 as my #1 SP. Recently-improved Justin Verlander $7200 might even duel with Archer at a much better price.
Late play on Wednesday is equally interesting, with Clayton Kershaw $15000 and Masahiro Tanaka $10200 tilting the salary scale. John Lackey $8600 is decent value and although it’s hard to beat Tanaka, Colby Lewis $7600 was very sharp in his last two.
We’re focused on the 9-game evening contests at 7:05, where Tyson Ross $10800 joins Kershaw and Tanaka as an elite SP, and Chris Tillman $6000 might be a bargain. Other affordable risk/reward options to pair with the Dodgers’ ace include Doug Fister $5500, Rick Porcello $6100 and Anthony DeSclafani $6400.
Plays of the Day
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Wrong about many things last night, we still turned a profit with consolation prizes — thanks, Sonny Gray! The anticipated 13-12 game in Toronto ended up 3-2, while others were unexpected slugfests: the Yankees scored three touchdowns in a 21-5 rout of Texas. I think the Jays bats will wake up tonight against journeyman Jerome Williams $4000. Not as keen on the Phillies, as R.A. Dickey $6500 might have the knuckler dancing if the roof stays open; it’s ridiculously hot and humid today here in the T-Dot.
The Kershaw conundrum — use him and skimp on bats, or try to find bargain arms — dominates DFS strategy. Over his last three starts, he’s spun two complete games, 26 scoreless innings, allowed just 14 hits, walked nobody and and whiffed 38 helpless batters.
Russell Martin $4500 is the #1 C if you don’t pay for Kershaw. I’m going cheap with Ryan Hanigan $2700 or Tyler Flowers $2500 as the White and Red Sox have combined for 31 runs in the last two nights.
Jose Abreu $4600 went 3-for-5 with a dinger on Tuesday, while Chris Davis $4200 crushed a pair of homers, driving in five. 1B/3B Ryan Zimmerman $3300 had a single and double in his first game back.
We often recommend Kolten Wong $4100 at 2B and the salary is fair. 2B/3B Anthony Rendon $3400 returned early from a quad injury and is “only” 2-for-8 through four games: rusty vs. A.J. Burnett, pinch single, day off and last night’s 1-for-3 off Jose Fernandez plus two walks from relievers. Avoid Devon Travis (shoulder) and consider ultra-cheap 2B/SS Ryan Goins $2200 a new Jays’ regular.
Josh Donaldson $5200 disappointed last night, but scorching-hot Alex Rodriguez $5000 had two more hits and three walks. 2B/3B Martin Prado $2900, one of several players prominent in trade rumors, is playable if he’s still a Marlin at 7:10. I like Zimmerman here.
New Toronto SS Troy Tulowitzki $4100 is not expected to play; that would be a wonderful price tomorrow. Carlos Correa $4400 is simply unbelievable — 3-for-4 with a HR last night in an amazing season for any rookie, historic for a 20-year-old. Didi Gregorius $3100 has been slashing line drives into gaps recently; one of them even left the yard.
Bryce Harper $5500 deserves the lofty salary and is due for a big night. Jacoby Ellsbury $4400 and Brett Gardner $4900 are batting 1-2 in a potent lineup; Gardner reached base six times, scored five runs and homered for 38 PTS. Jose Bautista $5300 says it was only a cramp and he’ll play, but I’ll pass. Spin fave Melky Cabrera $3800 did not get two more hits on Tuesday; he went 4-for-5, three for extra bases. Back from two months on the DL, Jayson Werth $3600 is the 3-hitter in a suddenly potent Nats top five. Christian Yelich $3500 and Colby Rasmus $3100 are possibilities and if Chris Young $3000 earned another start with that monster game, he’s worth considering.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Clayton Kershaw $15000 | R.A. Dickey $6500 |
| SP2 | Masahiro Tanaka $10200 | Chris Tillman $6000 |
| C | Russell Martin $4500 | Ryan Hanigan $2700 |
| 1B | Jose Abreu $4600 | Chris Davis $4200 |
| 2B | Kolten Wong $4100 | Anthony Rendon $3400 |
| 3B | Alex Rodriguez $5000 | Ryan Zimmerman $3300 |
| SS | Carlos Correa $4400 | Didi Gregorius $3100 |
| OF1 | Brett Gardner $4900 | Christian Yelich $3500 |
| OF2 | Bryce Harper $5500 | Jayson Werth $3600 |
| OF3 | Melky Cabrera $3800 | Chris Young $3000 |
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