On an exciting night in Toronto — and across Canada — the Blue Jays stayed alive and an unpopular Prime Minister was sent packing. Adding to the fun, I did very well in Sunday-Monday DFS contests at DraftKings.
Today’s MLB action closes at 4:07 Eastern when R.A. Dickey $8800 tries to keep the momentum going and Chris Young $7500 counters for the Royals. Obviously the Jays need to square the series; a loss puts them on the brink. While KC would love to win one in the Dome, they are guaranteed two more at home.
The evening game sees Jacob DeGrom $11600 trying to give the Mets a commanding 3-0 NLCS lead. Kyle Hendricks $8800 and the Cubs hitters face all the pressure. Rain is a possibility in that one; current forecasts are between 30-60% from start time of 8:07 through the next few hours, jumping up to 90% overnight.
This is a real puzzle. Reluctant to use Cubs bats against DeGrom, I hate to pay his salary. Anything but objective in the ALCS, I’m never relaxed when Dickey pitches and a bit concerned that the crafty, soft-tossing Young will frustrate the Jays. Hendricks baffled the Mets for 6 IP back in June, before they beefed up with Yoenis Cespedes $4800 and before Daniel Murphy $4300 began his incredible October salary drive.
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. First place wins $5,000. Enter by 4:07 and you can make lineup changes on CHC and NYM players until their game begind.
Prices on Toronto bats are extremely high. Russell Martin $5600 tends to hit worse when he’s focused on catching the elusive knuckleball. Former Jays farmhand Travis d’Arnaud $3700 — acquired with Noah Syndergaard in the Dickey trade — is better value.
Similarly, Edwin Encarnacion $5400 would be expensive even if he wasn’t playing through a left hand injury. I used 1B/OF Chris Colabello $4000 yesterday instead. Eric Hosmer $4300 is reasonably priced and swinging it well.
Murphy can be employed at 2B or 3B; his 5 postseason HR came off much tougher pitchers than Kendricks. 2B/SS Javier Baez $2200 is playing every day until Addison Russell (hamstring) returns, allowing us to “punt” either spot with a live power bat.
We got 23 points from MVP Josh Donaldson $5300 last night as he singled, walked and homered, driving in three. David Wright $4100 could be profitable if the Mets get to Hendricks early.
Not sure if his pain tolerance has increased or his shoulder is healing, but Troy Tulowitzki $4500 had much better swings last night. As usual, bargain-hunters can consider Alcides Escobar $3300 or 2B/SS Ryan Goins $2700, a big contributor to our Monday profits.
Jose Bautista $5500 and Lorenzo Cain $5000 are not overpriced, just a bit out of the budget — especially if you are shelling out for DeGrom. Curtis Granderson $4500 and Cespedes are slightly more affordable. Alex Gordon $3600 and Alex Rios $2700 are both capable of driving the knuckler, Despite the substantial salary hikes, Colabello and Kevin Pillar $4100 worth considering.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| SP1 | Kyle Hendricks $8800 | Chris Young $7500 |
| SP2 | Jacob DeGrom $11600 | R.A. Dickey $8800 |
| C | Russell Martin $5600 | Travis d’Arnaud $3700 |
| 1B | Eric Hosmer $4300 | Chris Colabello $4000 |
| 2B | Daniel Murphy $4300 | Javier Baez $2200 |
| 3B | Josh Donaldson $5300 | David Wright $4100 |
| SS | Troy Tulowitzki $4500 | Ryan Goins $2700 |
| OF1 | Jose Bautista $5500 | Alex Gordon $3600 |
| OF2 | Curtis Granderson $4500 | Kevin Pillar $4100 |
| OF3 | Yoenis Cespedes $4800 | Alex Rios $2700 |
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.