Despite a very light MLB slate of seven games, there’s no better time to make your first deposit at DraftKings to get a FREE shot at $100,000 cash. The big money contests — DK is paying out over $1.1 million guaranteed on the four richest alone — close at 7:10 Eastern. Three other start times — Turbo (8:10; 2 games), Late (9:40; 4 games) and Later (10:10; 3 games) — provide plenty of additional DFS action on a slightly smaller scale.
Chris Sale $12000 has made two uncharacteristically poor starts and has not been profitable in daily fantasy for almost a month. This makes him more affordable, and we know how great he can be on his best nights. If he does struggle again, Matt Shoemaker $8400 has struck out 27 in his last 19 IP and might continue in his best form of the season.
Johnny Cueto $10300 has yet to win for his new club in two starts; he took the loss in Detroit on Wednesday despite allowing only two runs, and may be even better tonight in his KC home debut. Matt Boyd $4400 paid immediate dividends for the Tigers, winning that game by allowing a single run in seven frames. While the Royals know him better now, the price is tempting.
The Nationals are unfamiliar with Brett Anderson $7100, often an advantage for southpaws. The Dodgers can provide just enough support off Gio Gonzalez $9100.
Plays of the Day
New to DK? Your first deposit earns a FREE entry into the $250K Swing For The Fences — the winner gets $100,000 and 18,230 teams out of a maximum 95,825 earn cash. All prize money is guaranteed even if it doesn’t fill. It’s normally a $3 buy-in, and multiple teams are allowed. Enter by 7:10; you can make lineup changes until each player’s game begins.
There are a few inexpensive SP worth considering. Jonathan Niese $6800 really surprised me in Miami last time and except for one blowup, has outperformed expectations for two months. The Mets might have trouble hitting rookie Jon Gray $5600 in just his second big-league appearance. Over six July starts (30 IP) in the hitter-friendly PCL, the big righty fanned 43.
In his last home game, Rubby De La Rosa $7500 blanked the Brewers on four hits for 8 IP with 6K. Not bad since then in Houston and Washington, he can earn another W vs. Aaron Harang $5400, who may not last long against the stackable Diamondbacks bats.
At C, Welington Castillo $3600 gets the nod over Salvador Perez $3500 and we gave you 1B/C Jesus Montero $3000 for a bargain homer on Sunday.
Staying with the D-Backs, Paul Goldschmidt $5600 is the standout 1B if you can afford him. Kendrys Morales $4300 is decent value, and 1B/3B Ryan Zimmerman $3400 belted two homers on Sunday.
Ian Kinsler $4200 remains on a roll at 2B, Robinson Cano $3700 isn’t overmatched vs. LHP and 2B/3B Jonathan Schoop $3900 is playable at either position.
Manny Machado $5000 isn’t cheap but is our #1 3B, with Jake Lamb $3600 or Zimmerman recommended for the budget-conscious.
In the absence of a high-priced shortstop, either hope that Jose Reyes $3800 has a big game or go ultra-cheap with SS/OF Kiké Hernandez $2200, who will be the Dodgers’ main 2B while Howie Kendrick (hamstring) is sidelined.
Nelson Cruz $5500 blasted his 33rd HR yesterday and shows no signs of cooling off — that’s a .463/.515/1.073 clip for his last ten. Because I’m trying to key on Arizona bats, A.J. Pollock $4600 and David Peralta $4100 join him in the sample lineup OF. Lorenzo Cain $5100 has a good matchup, Adam Eaton $4000 didn’t miss any time after jamming his shoulder and Jayson Werth $2900 had a single and a homer in his best game since missing two months with a wrist injury.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Chris Sale $12000 | Matt Shoemaker $8400 |
| SP2 | Johnny Cueto $10300 | Brett Anderson $7100 |
| C | Welington Castillo $3600 | Jesus Montero $3000 |
| 1B | Paul Goldschmidt $5600 | Kendrys Morales $4300 |
| 2B | Ian Kinsler $4200 | Jonathan Schoop $3900 |
| 3B | Manny Machado $4200 | Ryan Zimmerman $3400 |
| SS | Jose Reyes $3800 | Kiké Hernandez $2200 |
| OF1 | Lorenzo Cain $5100 | David Peralta $4100 |
| OF2 | A.J. Pollock $4600 | Jayson Werth $2900 |
| OF3 | Nelson Cruz $5500 | Adam Eaton $4000 |
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.