Thursday being a travel day for most MLB teams, there are several matinees. Early (4 games) and All-Day contests at DraftKings close at 3:10 Eastern, followed by Turbo pools (4:05; 6 games.)
Clayton Kershaw $14700 towers above the other SP this afternoon, with Cole Hamels $10800 and the sizzling Rangers bats also strong plays. The most lucrative events close at 7:05 (8 games) and you can also play Late (8:10; 3 games) where Madison Bumgarner $12200 is the headliner.
Chris Sale $11600 takes on Michael Pineda $8600 in a game that means much more to the Yankees. Steven Matz $10000 beat the Reds in his debut and can do it again — just beware the quick hook as the Mets are managing innings that way. Michael Wacha $9300 hasn’t been himself for a few starts now.
I’m going with MadBum and trying to decide on a bargain. Wade Miley $7300 vs. Erasmo Ramirez $6200 might be a low-scoring duel, and Cody Anderson $6700 vs. Kyle Gibson $7200 will be a playoff atmosphere as the Twins try to sweep. Jarred Cosart $5000 looked much better in back-to-back starts against the Nationals.
Plays of the Day
The $90K Moonshot is a $3 buy-in (FREE to new depositors at DK) that pays the top 7,000 finishers from up to 34,500 teams, with multiple entries permitted. First place wins $5,000. Enter by 7:05; lineup changes are allowed until each player’s game begins.
Given the salary difference with Travis d’Arnaud $4500, 1B/C Buster Posey $4100 might be the best option behind the plate. Or punt the position with someone like Tony Cruz $2000.
If you spend less than my sample lineup on pitching, try David Ortiz $4700 or Kendrys Morales $4200 at 1B. Big Justin Bour $3400 is the value pick.
Although Dee Gordon $5000 is the premium 2B, Robinson Cano $3600 hit 2 HR on Tuesday and Johnny Cueto $8900 has been disappointing as a Royal.
No 3B is hotter than Matt Carpenter $4700 — 5 HR and a 1.315 OPS in his last ten. Evan Longoria $3700 is more affordable and faces a lefty at Fenway.
If you can’t afford 3B/SS Xander Bogaerts $4900, consider Asdrubal Cabrera $3400 off last night’s big game. As we told you yesterday, 3B/SS Miguel Rojas $2000 keeps hitting enough to pay his way.
Injuries and tough opponents eliminate a few OF. In a hitters’ park against a non-prospect rookie, Yoenis Cespedes $4800 and Curtis Granderson $4600 are playable. Lorenzo Cain $4800 also has a good matchup and Mookie Betts $4900 is the Red Sox catalyst. For slightly lower salaries, try whoever starts for the Cardinals. Jason Heyward $4300 got last night off, Randall Grichuk $3900 homered and Tommy Pham $3600 has been a pleasant surprise. Though Matt Holliday $3600 is back, he’s yet to play consecutive games.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Madison Bumgarner $12200 | Jarred Cosart $5000 |
| SP2 | Steven Matz $10000 | Kyle Gibson $7200 |
| C | Buster Posey $4100 | Tony Cruz $2000 |
| 1B | David Ortiz $4700 | Justin Bour $3400 |
| 2B | Dee Gordon $5000 | Robinson Cano $3600 |
| 3B | Matt Carpenter $4800 | Evan Longoria $3700 |
| SS | Xander Bogaerts $4900 | Miguel Rojas $2000 |
| OF1 | Yoenis Cespedes $4800 | Jason Heyward $4300 |
| OF2 | Lorenzo Cain $4800 | Randall Grichuk $3900 |
| OF3 | Mookie Betts $4900 | Tommy Pham $3600 |
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.