We have a full slate of games taking us into the weekend. Hopefully you jumped on the Puig Train early this year. His price has rose on Draft Kings after hitting two home runs last night. Puig was asked how he felt about everything that happened with the Dodgers so far in his career. His response was brilliant; ““What I think about is putting the ball in the air,” Puig said through an interpreter. “Or else I’m going to have no money in my pocket.” If you have the price available in your lineups, take Puig. Check the bottom of this blog to see the lineup I will be submitting tonight on DraftKings.
Note: Much of this column was written on Thursday night using the probable starters listed on MLB.com. Due to postponed games, starters could be moved around a little, but we have updated this information throughout Friday.
Low Scoring Plays
Washington Nationals @ Philadelphia Phillies – Max Scherzer takes the mound for the Nationals. He is one of the best pitchers in the league. The Phillies look to be in rebuilding mode so look for Scherzer to have an easy time. Vince Velasquez is one of the Phillies’ young arms that shows some potential. The Nationals have hit .233 against him as a team, however Harper has two walks and an RBI single in three plate appearances against Velasquez and could be a threat all day.
Targets: Scherzer, Harper
content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”10,11,12,14″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]Miami Marlins @ New York Mets – Zach Wheeler makes his long-anticipated return to baseball. He has shown some strong potential through his career when healthy and should play well in front of the home crowd. Wei-Yin Chen pitches for the Marlins and he has had success against the Mets – they have collectively hit only .210 against him. Chen could be a cheap pick-up to pair with a high-priced option like Scherzer.
Targets: Chen, Gordon
High Scoring Plays
Atlanta Braves @ Pittsburgh Pirates – The Mets made out like bandits in the R.A. Dickey trade a few years ago, and we can still find value against him today. In fact, I’ll be surprised if he makes it passed 5 innings – that’s how little I think of him. The Pirates played well against the Red Sox in the last series, and we can look for the Pirates to step up in their home opener:
Targets: McCutchen
Boston Red Sox @ Detroit Tigers – Steven Wright started the All-Start game last year but is still only 4th in Boston’s starting rotation. The Red Sox went into 12 innings with the Pirates a couple of nights ago so if Wright doesn’t last long in this game the Tigers could jump on a used-up bullpen. The Red Sox have hit .304 against Fulmer and are typically safe picks when looking for lineup fillers. Betts has been battling the flu and is not starting in today’s game. Backup Chris Young is a good pick up – very cheap and isn’t a bad player at all.
Targets: Bogaerts, Benintendi
New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles – The pitching matchup in this game isn’t great, and I tend to side with the Orioles, anyway. If you like to stack a couple players in your lineup, then Trumbo, Davis, and Machado would be the way to go. None of the Yankees’ salaries make me love them enough to jump on board.
Targets: Davis, Machado
Aside from these games listed above I don’t love any other match up. We have the back end of the rotation throwing today where it is questionable what will happen with them.
Undervalue Plays
Leon – BOS – C – Expect to see Leon here almost everyday. Last year I took Ramos almost everyday, now that he is injured Leon will usually be in my lineup. His price dropped even more today at $2600. Shwarber and Sanchez both cracked $5000 which is way too much for a catcher.
Duda – NYM – 1B – The Mets look to be in a low-scoring game, however, Lucas Duda is only $3600. For a power hitting first baseman he could be worth the risk. If you are taking Scherzer you will need help filling some other positions in your lineup. Duda could be your play here and may be the difference in the low scoring game.
Chris Young – BOS- OF – Betts is out of the lineup today and Young will take his position. Young is cheap and isn’t a bad player at all. He has protection around him in the lineup where he gets on base he could score some runs.
Matt Kemp – ATL – OF – Kemp is only $4000 and is a solid power hitter for Atlanta. The Braves game should be high scoring and Kemp went 2-4 with 2 HR’s in his last game. Kemp has been a solid performer the last couple of years and is always a safe pick and his price is fair.[ihc-hide-[/ihc-hide-content]
My DraftKings DFS Lineup – Via Free Lineup Friday
SP – Liriano
SP – Wheeler
C – Leon
1B – C. Davis
2B – Pedroia
3B – Machado
SS – Castro
OF – Harper
OF- Trumbo
OF – Young