MLB rosters have expanded, and the minor-league season is nearly over, which means plenty of callups to the Show. Contending teams get a bit deeper and more flexible — managers have extra pinch-hitters and pinch-runners at their disposal. Rebuilding teams can audition youngsters.
How does this affect daily fantasy investors? It’s more important than ever to check lineups as close to game time as possible. Also, there will be cheap newcomers with talent available in “random” appearances.
The new month begins with a doubleheader in Denver. All-Day contests at DraftKings close at 3:10 Eastern for the opener, with Patrick Corbin $7500 expected to outlast Yohan Flande $4500 while RH batters from both clubs take big cuts.
In the nightcap, it’s Rubby De La Rosa $6400 vs. Kyle Kendrick $4200, to the delight of all the lefty swingers. Evening contests close at 7:05, enough time to see if Paul Goldschmidt $6400 and A.J. Pollock $6000 will play twice.
Chris Sale $13900 is the highest-salaried SP and a huge favourite over Tyler Duffey $7400, though the game means much more to the Twins. Madison Bumgarner $12400 vs. Zack Greinke $12500 is a fantastic duel; the Giants are desperate after a heartbreaking 14-inning loss in the opener of this critical series.
Another interesting matchup has Johnny Cueto $10100 battling the rejuvenated Justin Verlander $9700. Possibly the surest W is Gerrit Cole $10800 at home against Jimmy Nelson $7700 and the out-of contention Brewers.
Plays of the Day
The $175K Moonshot is a $3 buy-in (FREE to new depositors) that pays the top 13,475 finishers from up to 67,081 teams, with multiple entries permitted. First place wins $12,000. Deadline is 7:05, with lineup changes allowed until each player’s game begins.
There are smaller player pools in Turbo contests (8:05; 6 games) plus Late (8:40; 4 games) and Later (10:05; 3 games) DFS action. Our sample lineup and Short List covers the evening card.
Among low-cost SP with a chance, Scott Feldman $6600 and Matt Shoemaker $6700 are the safest plays. Marco Gonzales $6400 has been called up by the Cardinals but is unlikely to outpitch Joe Ross $9200 with the fading Nationals still in the hunt. Rick Porcello $5700 tossed 7 IP of 5-hit shutout in his return from the DL but is a bit risky against the Yankees, who left 14 on base last night.
Going with Cole and Ross spends 40% of the cap on pitching. C Brian McCann $4100 is playable, but 1B/C Stephen Vogt $3500 has woken up from a slump with homers in consecutive games and Hank Conger $2900 is temporarily a regular.
Joey Votto $5100 keeps putting up video game numbers. A .650 OBP over ten games would be good in a slow-pitch softball league. With emergency callup Cody Martin pitching for Oakland, all the Angels are worth considering. Albert Pujols $4000 and DH C.J. Cron $2800 both qualify at 1B.
We loved 2B Jose Altuve $4500 yesterday (3-for-5, SB) and he faces another hittable southpaw for $500 less. Robinson Cano $3700 is an even better price and 2B/SS Ryan Goins $2600 hits reasonably well for a glove man.
Josh Donaldson $5500 tops the 3B options, though Manny Machado $4300 — who looked great in his first career start at SS — is easier on the budget. Lonnie Chisenhall $3400 sits vs. LHP but is on fire (12-for-26, 6 BB, 7 K) in his last ten games.
Can a 20-year-old be the best shortstop in the world? Only for another three weeks, then Carlos Correa $4600 turns 21. The pride of Puerto Rico missed five days with a tender hamstring before homering last night. A last-minute trade of Austin Jackson makes Brad Miller $2900 an everyday CF and a possible bargain at short.
After a rare pitcher’s duel in Toronto, Michael Brantley $5400 and Jose Bautista $5300 are in more favorable situations tonight. Mike Trout $4900 let us down on Monday but deserves another chance against an overmatched hurler. Carlos Gonzalez $5300 is a better play this evening if he sits out the opener. Looking for cheaper OF value? Me too. Last night, Jackie Bradley Jr. $3600 went 3-for-3 and made a tremendous throw to cut down a run at the plate, while Michael Conforto $3600 homered, singled and walked in 3 PA. Melky Cabrera $3800 had an excellent weekend, a day off, and faces a rookie righthander.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Zack Greinke $12500 | Joe Ross $9200 |
| SP2 | Gerrit Cole $10800 | Scott Feldman $6600 |
| C | Stephen Vogt $3500 | Hank Conger $2900 |
| 1B | Joey Votto $5100 | C.J. Cron $2800 |
| 2B | Jose Altuve $4500 | Robinson Cano $3700 |
| 3B | Josh Donaldson $5500 | Manny Machado $4300 |
| SS | Carlos Correa $4600 | Brad Miller $2900 |
| OF1 | Jose Bautista $5300 | Jackie Bradley Jr. $3600 |
| OF2 | Carlos Gonzalez $5300 | Michael Conforto $3600 |
| OF3 | Mike Trout $4900 | Melky Cabrera $3800 |
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.