What a finale for the great Kobe BryantWhat a season for Stephen Curry and the Warriors. While we wait eagerly for the NBA playoffs to begin, baseball is the sport of choice at DraftKings.
Thursday being “getaway day” in MLB, there are seven afternoon games, so DFS action also starts early. Not just because players — and umpires — have planes to catch, I prefer the pitching options in the matinees.
There’s a potential duel between Chris Archer $11400 and Danny Salazar $11000 in Tampa. Jordan Zimmermann $8300 and the Tigers have a chance against Gerrit Cole $10500, whose opener was disappointing. Mat Latos $7600 looked sharp first time out and is playable against Ervin Santana $8100 and the Twins’ bats.
Two inexpensive arms worth considering square off in Philadelphia. Drew Pomeranz $6700 gets an $1800 salary hike off a solid 5 IP (7 K) in Colorado but Vince Velasquez $7300 was even more impressive, fanning nine Mets in Saturday’s upset.
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You can win without great pitching by stacking bats from teams that score double-digit runs. However, that’s not as easy as it sounds.
The Giants conclude a high-scoring series at Coors Field with Buster Posey $5000 (foot) still day-to-day and backup C Trevor Brown $3000 playable until he returns. Rockies hitters might also thrive against Matt Cain $6000, so if Nick Hundley $4000 rests, Tony W0lters $2100 is a bargain.
At 1B, Paul Goldschmidt $5100 is the gold standard but there’s value in every price range. Stephen Piscotty $3900 is off to a great start and we like all the Cardinals against erratic righty Wily Peralta $6200.
Jose Altuve $4600 homered and doubled twice yesterday, so that salary will soon take a big jump. The little man stands tall among 2B options. Kolten Wong $3900 is due to break out and had a favorable matchup. Ultra-cheap rookie 2B/3B Ronald Torreyes $2500 has done nothing but hit when he’s in the Yankees’ lineup.
At 3B, the problem is “too many” standouts. Nolan Arenado $5200 belted two homers yesterday and scored 46 FPTS. Manny Machado $3800 seems underpriced against any lefty. I’m not interested in going any cheaper at a power position.
Resisting the urge to make puns with rookie SS Trevor Story $4900 is nearly impossible. He’s authored a 1.408 OPS in the first eight games of a very promising career. J.J. Hardy $3100 had a 2-HR game in Boston on Tuesday if you prefer a bargain with upside.
We need three outfielders, and can usually find good ones at all levels of the salary scale. Carlos Gonzalez $5100, Bryce Harper $5100 and Jose Bautista $4900 are all worth the money. Dexter Fowler $4000 is hitting over .400 atop the potent Cubs lineup. For the cost-conscious, Michael Saunders $3600 and Mark Trumbo $3400 have potential. We like to use RH bats who don’t usually start, but are part of a platoon against LH pitchers. 2B/OF Kiké Hernandez $3000 might even lead off again for the Dodgers.
Because Tanner Roark was called on to start last night for an ailing Stephen Strasburg $11300, we aren’t sure who will pitch for Washington. If they go with a callup or use all relievers, 3B Adonis Garcia $3000 and OF Nick Markakis $4000 become interesting.
The sample lineup compromises a little on bats to afford Salazar. If you scrimp a bit more on pitching, you can “upgrade” at multiple positions. Punting the catcher spot is a hunch play; Wolters reached base three times in his only previous start.
| Pos | Premium | Bargain |
| P1 | Danny Salazar $11000 | Mat Latos $7600 |
| P2 | Chris Archer $11400 | Vince Velasquez $7300 |
| C | Salvador Perez $4100 | Tony Wolters $2100 |
| 1B | Paul Goldschmidt $5100 | Stephen Piscotty $3900 |
| 2B | Jose Altuve $4600 | Kiké Hernandez $3000 |
| 3B | Nolan Arenado $5200 | Manny Machado $3800 |
| SS | Trevor Story $4900 | J.J. Hardy $3100 |
| OF1 | Bryce Harper $5100 | Dexter Fowler $4000 |
| OF2 | Carlos Gonzalez $5100 | Michael Saunders $3600 |
| OF3 | Jose Bautista $4900 | Kiké Hernandez $3000 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season, and switches to baseball in the summer. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.