Eleven MLB games is not unusual on a Thursday. None of them being matinees is a surprise. It’s usually getaway day, but there are eight 4-game series this weekend, beginning tonight. The richest offerings at DraftKings, our focus in the Short List and sample lineup, close at 7:05 Eastern.
There are 2-game Turbo contests at 8:05 — good value if you like Collin McHugh $8700 more than Chris Archer $12400, an ace rebounding from a terrible start. Late play (8:40; 2 games) revolves around Max Scherzer $11400, also a huge disappointment in his latest. If the Angels can score off Jose Quintana $8500, look for a quality start and a W from Nick Tropeano $6000, replacing the demoted Matt Shoemaker.
The other high-salaried SP is Jake Arrieta $11900, a consistent performer who blanked the Braves in Atlanta for 7 IP on July 19, punching out ten. You could go all-in on this game, stacking the maximum six Cubs bats against Mike Foltynewicz $4500, as walks and homers have plagued the rifle-armed righty in three August outings (7.71 ERA). Let’s give that a try.
Plays of the Day
New to DK? Your first deposit earns a FREE entry into the $145K Moonshot — the winner gets $12,000 and 11,240 teams (out of a maximum 55,581) earn cash. All prize money is guaranteed even if it doesn’t fill. It’s normally a $3 buy-in, and multiple entries are allowed. Enter by 7:05; lineup changes can be made until each player’s game begins.
C/OF Kyle Schwarber $4900 is perhaps the best all-around hitter in a truly amazing rookie class, a must-start. Miguel Montero $3200 is a power threat if you use Schwarber in the outfield. Salvador Perez $3500 tops the non-Chicago list.
Only 26, 1B Anthony Rizzo $5100 leads by example, an accomplished veteran on an incredibly young squad. Paul Goldschmidt $5700 is a money’s-no-object play and Justin Bour $3000 my value pick.
Rookie 3B Kris Bryant $4600 does everything well. His fielding and baserunning are much better than expected; last night he was 4-for-4 with a homer and a triple. Derek Dietrich $3100 has eight hits in four games, three of them for extra bases.
2B/OF Chris Coghlan $3400 also provides flexibility and bats high in the order vs. RHP. 2B/SS Addison Russell $3200 is an option at either spot if you dislike Coghlan. Dee Gordon $4800 would be the play if we were not so committed to the Cubs.
OF Dexter Fowler $4500 and Jorge Soler $3800 complete the top eight. Montero edges Soler as my sixth Cub, leaving $3200 each for a SS and an OF. (By the way, going with Tyler Duffey $4200 instead of Tropeano as #2 SP would bump that to $4100 each.)
3B/SS Jung Ho Kang and OF Jeff Francoeur $2800 is one combination that fits. Frenchy homered in both games as the Phils split with Toronto, and he’s always preferred lefty pitching. Or, hope OF Henry Urrutia $2200 follows up his walkoff homer with a big game and you can afford 3B/SS Xander Bogaerts $4200.
Note that even if eight spots are “carved in stone” you can improve your odds with multiple lineups. Jayson Werth $3700 and 2B/SS Tim Beckham $2600 is yet another usable pair to complete our sample lineup stack.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Jake Arrieta $11900 | Tyler Duffey $4200 |
| SP2 | Max Scherzer $11400 | Nick Tropeano $6000 |
| C | Salvador Perez $3500 | Miguel Montero $3200 |
| 1B | Anthony Rizzo $5100 | Justin Bour $3000 |
| 2B | Dee Gordon $4800 | Chris Coghlan $3400 |
| 3B | Kris Bryant $4600 | Derek Dietrich $3100 |
| SS | Jung Ho Kang $3500 | Addison Russell $3100 |
| OF1 | Kyle Schwarber $4900 | Henry Urrutia $2200 |
| OF2 | Dexter Fowler $4500 | Jayson Werth $3700 |
| OF3 | Jorge Soler $3800 | Jeff Francoeur $2800 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Until basketball returns, we’re offering baseball tips on weekdays. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.