There are two afternoon ballgames at 3:40 Eastern, with stellar pitching available at a high price in Early and All-Day contests at DraftKings. It’s not easy to pick a winner between Felix Hernandez $11100 and Derek Holland $10200, who has returned from a shoulder injury in brilliant form.
Waiting for the 6-game evening slate at 7:05 is my plan. The Cubs are battling Pittsburgh for home-field advantage in what seems like an inevitable Wild-Card game and their ace Jake Arrieta $13700 should stay on a roll vs. the Phillies.
A huge four-game series gets under way in the Bronx with David Price $11800 and Luis Severino $9100 on the mound. Since being acquired by the Jays, Price has a win and a no-decision against the Yankees, whose rookie RH pitched well in Toronto on August 16.
The stakes are so high in that game, it might be decided by the bullpens. For a possibly easier W, Jaime Garcia $9900 is the safe play in Cincinnati, though that’s a lot to spend on pitching if you also use Arrieta.
It’s never easy to find a cheap SP with a high win probability. Sometimes my “hunches” are valid, and with all respect to A.J. Burnett $8100 for a fine career, he’s trying to return from an elbow injury off a simulated game and some bullpen sessions. I’m betting against him with Brewers bats and will try Wily Peralta $4900 as SP #2 in several lineups. The big righty was sharp on August 30 before rain washed away his latest.
Travis d’Arnaud $4500 is the standout C if he starts. After homering last night to help sweep the Nationals, he deserves a rest. With Jonathan Lucroy (concussion) out, Milwaukee called up 10-year minor-league veteran Nevin Ashley $2000, who doubled in his MLB debut. He’s one of two guys I like tonight with rock-bottom salaries.
Freddie Freeman $4400 is reasonably priced considering his 1.085 OPS in 18 AB vs. Bartolo Colon $7900. Assuming Burnett will be ineffective, Adam Lind $3900 may be even better value.
If you can afford Jason Kipnis $4400 he’s the top 2B on the board. Cuban rookie 2B/3B Hector Olivera $2000 now has six hits in three games since being moved into the 2-hole and could be a tremendous asset for the Braves.
If you use Olivera at second, Kris Bryant $4900 is a potent 3B with a favorable matchup. I also like Lonnie Chisenhall $3000, who actually plays RF and bats fifth for the Indians against RHP.
Francisco Lindor $4000 may end up being the second-best Puerto Rican SS ever, behind fellow rookie sensation Carlos Correa. 3B/SS Javier Baez $3900 is a free-swinger facing a homer-prone southpaw and Jean Segura $3500 fits the Brew Crew angle.
So do Ryan Braun $4600, Domingo Santana $3500 and Khris Davis $3300 — all middle-of-the-order bats against a pitcher who may be less than 100% ready. If Toronto gets to Severino, Jose Bautista $5600 figures to be prominent. Michael Brantley $4900 is my other OF choice in the premium-priced column. Gregory Polanco $3700 helped us win a few bucks last night and for a very low cost, Michael Bourn $2500 went 4-for-5 last night.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Jake Arrieta $13700 | Jaime Garcia $9900 |
| SP2 | David Price $11800 | Wily Peralta $4900 |
| C | Travis d’Arnaud $4500 | Nevin Ashley $2000 |
| 1B | Freddie Freeman $4400 | Adam Lind $3900 |
| 2B | Jason Kipnis $4400 | Hector Olivera $2000 |
| 3B | Kris Bryant $4900 | Lonnie Chisenhall $3000 |
| SS | Javier Baez $3900 | Jean Segura $3500 |
| OF1 | Ryan Braun $4600 | Michael Bourn $2500 |
| OF2 | Michael Brantley $4900 | Gregory Polanco $3700 |
| OF3 | Jose Bautista $5600 | Domingo Santana $3500 |
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