Thursday is getaway day in MLB, prompting several matinee ballgames. All-Day (11 games) and Early contests (4 games) at DraftKings close at 12:35 Eastern, with Zack Greinke $13800 taking the hill as a heavy favorite.
Yordano Ventura $9600 is the next-best Early SP, unless you like Chris Tillman $7600 and the Orioles to beat him. The bottom end of the salary scale sees ancient Randy Wolf $5500 as a possible longshot play.
There are also Turbo contests at 1:08 (3 games) and 2:05 (2 games) where you can load up on hitters from Toronto and Texas. Oddly enough, the only ways to invest in Madison Bumgarner $12800 are by joining an All-Day pool or finding an Afternoon league (3:45; 7 games.)
The 6-game evening card at 7:05 is our focus. Gerrit Cole $12900 is a strong choice over Justin Nicolino $6800 and the Marlins. The matchup of Carlos Martinez $11200 and Rubby De La Rosa $9600 would have more appeal in St. Louis than it does in a notorious hitter’s park.
Drew Smyly $10900 improved in his second start off the DL but he and Tommy Milone $8700 both seem overpriced. I prefer the Padres in Washington for pitching value. Andrew Cashner $8000 turned in his best start in ages last Friday. Rookie Joe Ross $10100 has been superb in five home starts (30 K, 1 BB in 31.2 IP) and wants to top his big brother Tyson, who beat the Nats last night.
Carlos Rodon $9800 has been much better in his last three starts but takes a huge salary hike. Recalled from the minors, Roenis Elias $6500 has a chance to win at the lowest price on the board. If anything, you want hitters from the Mets and Phillies as Jonathan Niese $8800 and Aaron Harang $6900 take the mound.
C Travis d’Arnaud $4700 sat out on Wednesday after five hits (three for extra bases) in the first two games of this series. Unheralded Cameron Rupp $3000 has an OPS of 1.167 for his last ten, gradually taking over for Carlos Ruiz $2500 as the main man for the Phils; whoever starts tonight is a bargain.
Not sure Paul Goldschmidt $5400 is worth his hefty salary tonight. 1B/OF Mark Trumbo $4200 has never seen Rodon’s nasty slider but generally prefers southpaws. Veteran 1B/OF Michael Morse $2400 is a platoon specialist with a great matchup.
The highest-priced 2B, Dee Gordon $4700 might run wild again if he can get on base vs. Cole. Kolten Wong $3700 is more affordable and 2B/3B Anthony Rendon $3300 is finally heating up after an injury-plagued season.
At 3B, David Wright $4900 is a wonderful story. However, leadership and courage are not fantasy categories. Teammate 2B/3B Daniel Murphy $3800 might provide more bang for the buck. Back from a thumb injury, 3B/OF Josh Harrison $3600 is rounding into form.
Who is Ketel Marte $4100, and why is he the top-salaried shortstop? The 21-year-old Dominican switch-hitter has taken over as the Mariners’ leadoff man and slashed .390/.452/.585 over his last ten games. 2B/SS Wilmer Flores $3300 is hot, though he might be due for a night off so 3B/SS Ruben Tejada $2800 can stay sharp.
Saving at other positions lets us load up on OF bats. Our pick Andrew McCutchen $5000 more than paid his way last night and faces another relatively easy lefty. All Nelson Cruz $5700 did yesterday was go 3-for-4 with his 39th bomb. it. Yoenis Cespedes $4900 isn’t always popular with teammates and coaches but may have found his perfect fit in a Mets uniform. Bargain-hunters can consider Trayce Thompson $2600, whose brother Klay calls the best athlete in the family, or Cardinals rookie Tommy Pham $3300, who reached base three times last night. For the most highly-touted outfield prospect in the game, Byron Buxton $2500 is dirt cheap.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Gerrit Cole $12900 | Roenis Elias $6500 |
| SP2 | Joe Ross $10100 | Andrew Cashner $8000 |
| C | Travis d’Arnaud $4700 | Cameron Rupp $3000 |
| 1B | Mark Trumbo $4200 | Michael Morse $2400 |
| 2B | Dee Gordon $4700 | Anthony Rendon $3300 |
| 3B | Daniel Murphy $3800 | Josh Harrison $3600 |
| SS | Ketel Marte $4100 | Wilmer Flores $3300 |
| OF1 | Nelson Cruz $5700 | Trayce Thompson $2600 |
| OF2 | Yoenis Cespedes $4900 | Tommy Pham $3300 |
| OF3 | Andrew McCutchen $5000 | Byron Buxton $2500 |
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.