October baseball, in the traditional sense of that phrase, doesn’t begin until next Tuesday’s Wild-Card playoff game. In the literal sense, there are 12 October games today, some far more important than others.
Early and All-Day action at DraftKings closed at 12:05 Eastern. There are also Turbo contests at 3:45 (2 games) and 6:40 (5 games.) We’re waiting until 7:05 and the 7-game evening slate.
Regular readers know I gushed over Rich Hill $4300 last Friday for his third straight masterpiece, a complete-game 2-hit shutout. The crafty old lefty probably won’t strike out ten for the fourth time in a row, as the Yankees are desperate to end a 3-game losing streak. For some reason, he remains an extreme bargain.
Stephen Strasburg $11000 will attempt to ignore the dysfunction in his own clubhouse and take out his frustrations on the Braves. Jose Fernandez $11200 vs. Jake Odorizzi $8100 could be a fast, low-scoring game but the Marlins may have their ace on a short leash.
The Angels visit Texas for a four-game series that could determine the division winner and the Wild Card. Back in July, rookie Andrew Heaney $6500 turned in a quality start against the Rangers in Anaheim; Derek Holland $4900 was brilliant in beating the Angels on September 5 but has tailed off dramatically in his last three.
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.
Our Angels stack last night scored “only” 150 points. for slightly over 100% profit. This evening, their RH bats look good again and the other game in my sights has the Rockies in Arizona.
Welington Castillo $3500 and 1B/C Wilin Rosario $2600 are both reasonably priced if they start that game; among a few cheap catchers getting opportunities, Tom Murphy $2500 has surprised with a .900 OPS through his first 30 AB.
Paul Goldschmidt $5800 is the top 1B if money’s no object. Facing a lefty in a huge game, Mike Napoli $3300 won’t get cheated.
Johnny Giovatella $3100 now has an extra-base hit in six straight after homering for us on Wednesday. Feel free to pay more for Dustin Pedroia $4200 if you don’t share my affection for the littlest Angel.
Still expecting Nolan Arenado $5100 to have one monster game in the desert. Conflicted because we also like David Freese $4000, who costs $900 more than last night, when he homered again.
Francisco Lindor $4700 played well in both games yesterday and deserves a rest. He’s the choice at short if he goes. 3B/SS Xander Bogaerts $4100 is a decent option and rookie Trea Turner $2000 is getting a look.
Bryce Harper $5700 may be just going through the motions. Gotta stick with Mike Trout $5000 in a must-win and would like to afford A. J. Pollock $5900 too. One way is to go super-cheap with Jonny Gomes $2300, a probable spot starter vs. the lefty, as third OF. Our platoon play yesterday was Chris Young $2800 (10 PTS) who can punish a mistakes if Hill makes one. Shane Victorino $2300 may also get another start; the downside is, those guys get removed for pinch-hitters.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Stephen Strasburg $11000 | Andrew Heaney $6500 |
| SP2 | Jose Fernandez $11200 | Rich Hill $4300 |
| C | Welington Castillo $3500 | Wilin Rosario $2600 |
| 1B | Paul Goldschmidt $5800 | Mike Napoli $3300 |
| 2B | Dustin Pedroia $4200 | Johnny Giovatella $3100 |
| 3B | Nolan Arenado $5100 | David Freese $4000 |
| SS | Francisco Lindor $4700 | Trea Turner $2000 |
| OF1 | A.J. Pollock $5900 | Shane Victorino $2300 |
| OF2 | Mike Trout $5000 | Chris Young $2800 |
| OF3 | Bryce Harper $5700 | Jonny Gomes $2300 |
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.