Over 55 years as a serious baseball fan, this was the best season ever. It may take a while for casual fans to realize just how great the rookie crop is — several with Hall of Fame upsides and dozens who are as good or better than many players who have won Rookie of the Year honors in the past.
A few teams have ended long playoff droughts, including the Blue Jays (22 years) and Mets, who made vast improvements at the trade deadline. We’re also seeing two extremely young ballclubs arrive on the postseason stage much sooner than expected. The Cubs and Astros will be around as contenders for a while; they are already a year (or two) ahead of the most optimistic projections.
DraftKings offers 2-day contests on the Wild Card games, closing tonight at 8:08 Eastern and concluding tomorrow. Daily fantasy has recently been in the news for the “wrong” reason, as employees were accused of using inside information to profit. As I have always told critics of horse racing’s integrity, there are bad apples in every human activity. Banking, education, medicine, law, religion, government — nothing is immune to greed and theft. Let’s see how the industry responds before condemning everyone for the actions of one or two criminals.
Playoff games aren’t always 2-1, it just seems that way because the world’s best pitchers, with so much at stake, are extremely difficult to hit. Jake Arrieta $14200 has been incredible in the second half; he and Gerrit Cole $10600 might both spin shutouts.
Dallas Keuchel $11400 must overcome two negatives this evening — short rest and the road. Seemingly invincible at home, he did win impressively at Yankee Stadium on August 25, but all eight losses this year were away from Houston. There’s risk with Masahiro Tanaka $9000 as well. Pitching with a frayed or torn ulnar collateral ligament all season, he had moments of dominance and appeared to be finishing strong until pulling a hamstring running the bases. Presumably he’ll be a bit sharper than last Wednesday’s return after skipping a start.
Plays of the Day
The $100K Moonshot is a $3 buy-in (FREE to new depositors at DK) that pays the top 7,850 finishers from up to 38,315 teams, with multiple entries permitted. First place wins $10,000. Enter early as it’s filling up fast; unlimited lineup changes are allowed until each player’s game begins, which is 8:08 on Tuesday for HOU @ NYY and the same time on Wednesday for CHC @ PIT.
No matter who you select as the two SP, there is not much cap room left for premium bats. Cole and Tanaka is the cheapest option; betting against Arrieta does let you draft better hitters. Having identified Keuchel as the most vulnerable SP, I’m leaning to veteran Yankees and RHB against him.
C Brian McCann $3500 has playoff experience and can hit lefties. However, we must use at least one hitter from three different teams so I have plugged in Jason Castro $2400 as the lone Astro.
Anthony Rizzo $4500 is a respectable 6-for-17 vs. Cole and the top choice at 1B. This would have been a good matchup for switch-hitting Mark Teixeira (leg) but his replacement Greg Bird $4100 has been a pleasant surprise. Chris Carter $3300 and 1B/3B Pedro Alvarez $3200 are all-or-nothing mashers.
Jose Altuve $5000 deserves that salary, and Neil Walker $3500 would love to be the hometown hero for Pittsburgh, but I’m not spending that much at 2B. If he starts, rookie Rob Refsnyder $2500 might surprise.
Experienced, at home and facing a southpaw, Alex Rodriguez $4200 is my top choice at 3B. Unfortunately, we can’t use both A-Rod and switch-hitting Chase Headley $3200 as there’s no DH or Util spot at DK. Consider your budget and take your pick.
Carlos Correa $4700 is similar to his teammate Altuve — fairly priced and easily the best at his position. I’d like Didi Gregorius $3100 much more against a righty. Almost by default, I’m looking at Starlin Castro $2900 or 2B/SS Addison Russell $2900 to fill the SS spot.
Carlos Beltran $3900 ticks all the boxes for me. Andrew McCutchen $4400 needs to lead the Pirates and the price is far. George Springer $4400 has a tough assignment but if the Astros do chase Tanaka, he’ll be a factor. Jacoby Ellsbury $3700 is a tough out at this time of year, even vs. LHP, and his teammate Chris Young $2600 actually matches up well with Keuchel. Even if he doesn’t start, Dustin Ackley $2300 might pinch-hit and finish; his ability to play 2B or OF and a great September (1.062 OPS) have made him a key reserve for Joe Girardi.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Jake Arrieta $14200 | Gerrit Cole $10600 |
| SP2 | Dallas Keuchel $11400 | Masahiro Tanaka $9000 |
| C | Brian McCann $3500 | Jason Castro $2400 |
| 1B | Anthony Rizzo $4500 | Chris Carter $3300 |
| 2B | Jose Altuve $5000 | Rob Refsnyder $2500 |
| 3B | Alex Rodriguez$4200 | Chase Headley $3200 |
| SS | Carlos Correa $4700 | Starlin Castro $2900 |
| OF1 | Andrew McCutchen $4400 | Chris Young $2600 |
| OF2 | George Springer $4400 | Jacoby Ellsbury $3700 |
| OF3 | Carlos Beltran $3900 | Dustin Ackley $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.