With real life “interfering” on a holiday weekend in Canada, here’s an earlier-than-usual preview of today’s baseball DFS. All-Day and 3-game Early contests at DraftKings close at 1:07 Eastern. There’s also Late play (8:05; 2 games) but our focus is on the largest GPPs at 7:05, spanning 12 games.
Brilliant in three straight shutouts, Clayton Kershaw $14500 has now been scratched twice this week with a “minor” hip/glute issue; that’s a daunting price for anyone, even at 100%. If you are playing only in the evening, that avoids the tough choice of whether to bet on him or against him.
In a huge weekend series between divisional rivals, the Mets — who did very well at the deadline — won the opener 2-1 in 12 innings and are now just two games back of the Nats. Jacob DeGrom $11800 is a strong play tonight against Joe Ross $7500.
Gerrit Cole $10600 vs. Raisel Iglesias $5000 is a mismatch. The teams are going in opposite directions. Cole Hamels $9800 makes his Texas debut against Chris Heston $5000 and the Giants. It might be a closer game than those salaries suggest.
Inexpensive SP with upside are led by Aaron Nola $5700 in just the third start of a promising career. Kevin Gausman $4100 is more of a hunch at home against Anibal Sanchez $8300. The Orioles remain very much in the playoff hunt, while the Tigers’ brain trust has punted this season and a letdown for the players is quite possible.
Plays of the Day
New to DK? Your first deposit earns a FREE entry into the Early $45K Moonshot at 1:07 — $3,000 to the winner and 3,525 teams out of 17,240 earn cash. It’s normally a $3 buy-in, multiple teams are allowed and you can make lineup changes until each player’s game begins.
At C, Kyle Schwarber $3500 is my pick regardless of price. 1B/C Jesus Montero $3200 homered in his first game since being recalled. It may not be long before he plays every day.
1B Mark Teixeira $5100 is simply on fire. Two more homers last night bring him to 28 on the season. Montero, Chris Davis $4400 and 1B/3B Carlos Santana $4100 are also playable.
There isn’t much analysis needed when Brian Dozier $4900 is at home vs. a lefty. Ian Kinsler $4000 went 4-for-5 last night, while 2B/3B Cesar Hernandez $3000 led off for the Phillies and had a couple of hits.
The Yankees stood pat because their veterans have found the Fountain of Youth. Alex Rodriguez $5000 is the top-priced 3B, with a favorable matchup. Manny Machado $4400 belted a homer last night and for bargain hunters, Aramis Ramirez $3200 is glad to be in a playoff race.
The Astros now have two SS, until Jed Lowrie $4300 becomes eligible at 3B. Carlos Correa $4800 is the one you want. As we predicted weeks ago, Francisco Lindor $3900 has begun to hit nearly as well as he fields.
In the outfield, Nelson Cruz $5200 and Andrew McCutchen $4800 are always worth considering and J.D. Martinez $4500 smacked his 28th long ball on Friday. Carlos Gonzalez $4200 is hitting .388/.435/.847 in July. For a bargain play, Chris Young $3100 starts against lefties and has been hot lately. Stephen Piscotty $3000 has stepped in for Matt Holliday (quad) and with Corey Dickerson (ribs) back on the DL, Brandon Barnes $2200 will see more action.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Jacob DeGrom $11800 | Kevin Gausman $4100 |
| SP2 | Gerrit Cole $10600 | Aaron Nola $5700 |
| C | Kyle Schwarber $3500 | Derek Norris $3200 |
| 1B | Mark Teixeira $5100 | Carlos Santana $4100 |
| 2B | Brian Dozier $4900 | Cesar Hernandez $3000 |
| 3B | Alex Rodriguez $5000 | Aramis Ramirez $3200 |
| SS | Carlos Correa $4800 | Francisco Lindor $3900 |
| OF1 | J.D. Martinez $4500 | Stephen Piscotty $3000 |
| OF2 | Carlos Gonzalez $4200 | Brandon Barnes $2200 |
| OF3 | Andrew McCutchen $4800 | Chris Young $3100 |
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