Baseball starts a new week with a dozen games, and a chance to win $100,000 cash at DraftKings for a mere $3 investment. In fact, with your initial deposit, entry in the $250K Swing For The Fences is free!
In daily fantasy, “close” definitely counts. Second place earns $10K, third wins $5K and a total of more than 18,000 guaranteed cash prizes will be paid.
Handicapping always begins with pitchers, and we have a trio of studs to choose among. Chris Archer $12300 has struck out 10 or more in four of his last six. Dallas Keuchel $12100 allowed just three hits in 7 shutout IP, whiffing nine in his latest.
David Price $12000 is 4-0, 1.98 with 41 K in five starts as a Blue Jay. (The bullpen blew a save.) Avoid Danny Salazar $10800, who hasn’t pitched in nine days (illness) and will have easier spots than facing the potent Toronto lineup at the Dome.
In the midrange of salaries, John Lackey $8900 is in better form than Gio Gonzalez $7200 was great in his latest after three sub-par outings. In a critical NL West matchup, Jake Peavy $6200 and the Giants and trying to close a 3.5-game deficit against Brett Anderson $7000 and the Dodgers. Both are reasonably priced.
Plays of the Day
The huge $250K Swing For The Fences tournament is only a $3 buy-in — FREE to new depositors — and pays the top 18,230 finishers. First place is worth a cool $100,000. There’s a maximum of 95,825 teams, with multiple entries permitted. Deadline is 7:05, with lineup changes allowed until each player’s game begins.
There are smaller player pools in Turbo contests (8:05; 3 games) plus Late (8:40; 4 games) and Later (10:05; 3 games) DFS action. Our sample lineup and Short List covers the entire slate.
On Wednesday in Philadelphia, rookie Jerad Eickhoff $5000 survived a 3-run first to pitch 6 IP, but ageless Bartolo Colon $6800 tossed 7 IP of 5-hit shutout, fanning eight. This rematch is in a pitchers’ park and either could spin a gem.
There’s a 70% chance of showers in Denver, where the Diamondbacks and Rockies hitters might stage a long, high-scoring battle. C Nick Hundley $4000 and all of Colorado’s RH batters are playable. 1B/C Buster Posey $3800 costs less off a 3-for-4 Sunday.
Edwin Encarnacion $4900 has been ridiculously hot. In a three-game beatdown of the Tigers, Edwing belted 4 HR, scored five runs and dr0ve in 11. There are other high-priced first-sackers to consider, like Paul Goldschmidt $6200. 1B/OF Michael Cuddyer $3300 reached base four times yesterday as our bargain pick.
2B Jose Altuve $5000 is heating up again and loves lefty pitching. If rookie 2B/SS Jose Peraza $3300 is in the Dodgers lineup, he can run wild. Another rookie, Darnell Sweeney $2000 might become a regular in the Phillies’ youth movement.
At third, Josh Donaldson $5900 blasted HR #36 yesterday. Nolan Arenado $4900 makes sense at home and lefty-mashing 3B/OF Danny Valencia $4000 is good value.
Troy Tulowitzki $4400 was dropped from leadoff to the 5-hole, a better RBI spot. Andrelton Simmons $3100 has a promising matchup and 3B/SS Marwin Gonzalez $2700 has been filling in for Carlos Correa (hamstring.)
If you have more salary to spend on OF than me, A.J. Pollock $6000 and Jose Bautista $5400 might be worth it. Mike Trout $4700 finally had a big day (4-for-4 with a double and triple) which could signal an overdue hot streak. Dexter Fowler $4400 and Stephen Piscotty $4300 are solid value. Brandon Barnes $2500 is one potential bargain, and Dariel Alvarez $2000 has started three straight games since being called up by the Orioles. The Cuban has a tough matchup tonight, but is one to keep an eye on.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Dallas Keuchel $12100 | Jake Peavy $6200 |
| SP2 | Chris Archer $12300 | Jerad Eickhoff $5000 |
| C | Nick Hundley $4000 | Buster Posey $3800 |
| 1B | Edwin Encarnacion $4900 | Michael Cuddyer $3300 |
| 2B | Jose Altuve $5000 | Jose Peraza $3300 |
| 3B | Josh Donaldson $5900 | Nolan Arenado $4900 |
| SS | Troy Tulowitzki $4400 | Wilmer Flores $3600 |
| OF1 | Jose Bautista $5400 | Brandon Barnes $2500 |
| OF2 | A.J. Pollock $6000 | Stephen Piscotty $4300 |
| OF3 | Mike Trout $4700 | Dariel Alvarez $2000 |
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.