There are 11 ballgames on Monday, counting the first half of a White Sox at Tigers doubleheader. We’re more interested in the other ten in DFS contests at DraftKings that close at 7:05 Eastern.
The biggest real-life matchups are not always the best daily plays. David Price $12400 faces the Yankees for the fourth time in just ten starts as a Blue Jay. He surrendered 11 hits in a no-decision when they met in Toronto. All pitchers carry some risk in that stadium.
Now 1.5 games back in the AL West, the Astros must win this series against the Angels to maintain a shrinking 2.5 game advantage for the wild card. Dallas Keuchel $11400 was pounded for 9 ER in less than five innings by the surging Rangers but is a much better pitcher at home and a decent bet to atone.
Chris Archer $11700 vs. Eduardo Rodriguez $8300 would be more tempting in Tampa than at Fenway. The lefty might prevail in this battle to avoid the st basement. Gio Gonzalez $9600 struck out 12 Phillies on Wednesday, offering solid value in a must-win situation.
Plays of the Day
The $80K Moonshot is a $3 buy-in (FREE to new depositors at DK) that pays the top 6,155 finishers from up to 30,651 teams, with multiple entries permitted. First place wins $5,000. Enter by 7:05; lineup changes are allowed until each player’s game begins.
Cheap SP with upside are scarce. Jhoulys Chacin $6000 has been pretty good in a pitchers’ park, Jonathan Niese $5800 is a bargain at his best, and Erik Johnson $4500 might supply a quality start if the Tigers are tired in the nightcap
At C, Kyle Schwarber $4600 is still drawing walks and overdue for a power surge. Russell Martin $3900 is rested and at home in a crucial series against his former team. This is what he lives for.
1B Anthony Rizzo $5000 is another Cubbie with LH pop and they will see fastballs from Wily Peralta $4800. I’m also keying on Pirates in Colorado. Pedro Alvarez $4100 is now a platoon player, with a juicy matchup against rookie Jon Gray $5000.
Neil Walker $4500 could be one of those Buccos, with teammate 2B/3B Josh Harrison $3800 playable somewhere if he starts. Also versatile and consistent is 2B/3B Anthony Rendon $3900.
Stud 3B Josh Donaldson $6300 is out of my reach. 1B/3B Todd Frazier $4600 has been heating up and I’m still keeping a watchful eye on 2B/3B Hector Olivera $2000.
There are a lot of red crosses at SS. Corey Seager $5900 is healthy and he’s a phenom but that salary nearly doubled overnight. Carlos Correa $4500 is a relative bargain and Starlin Castro $3400 needs to make the most of every AB to earn playing time.
In the OF, Andrew McCutchen $5700 and Starling Marte $5100 are Coors Field specials. By compromising somewhere else you could add Gregory Polanco $5000 to the Pirates stack, or consider Bryce Harper $6100. I’m looking for at least one value play; Tommy Pham $3400 remains hot and underpriced. 3B/OF Kelly Johnson $3000 might step up against his former team. Trayce Thompson $3500 vs. an ancient lefty is a possibility.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | David Price $12400 | Gio Gonzalez $9600 |
| SP2 | Dallas Keuchel $11400 | Jhoulys Chacin $6000 |
| C | Kyle Schwarber $4600 | Russell Martin $3900 |
| 1B | Anthony Rizzo $5000 | Pedro Alvarez $4100 |
| 2B | Neil Walker $4500 | Anthony Rendon $3900 |
| 3B | Todd Frazier $4600 | Josh Harrison $3800 |
| SS | Corey Seager $5900 | Carlos Correa $4500 |
| OF1 | Andrew McCutchen $5700 | Trayce Thompson $3500 |
| OF2 | Starling Marte $5100 | Kelly Johnson $3000 |
| OF3 | Bryce Harper $6100 | Tommy Pham $3400 |
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.