Tuesday’s DraftKings DFS slate is filled with a whopping 15 games to choose from, which means that there’s plenty of options at all the positions. Obviously, stacking some of the top projected teams could be a great option on a night like tonight, and is often the way to push toward taking down a GPP. We’re going to take a look at not only the top plays at each position but also a few players who could provide value as well.
Kenta Maeda, P, Los Angeles Dodgers, $7,700
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vs. Los Angeles Angels
While the top choice at pitcher tonight should be Max Scherzer, he comes with a $13,000 price tag, so you’ll have to find some value to go along with him. This is where Maeda comes into play, who’s fresh off a 20.25-point performance in his last start. He’s been much better in the past month or two, tallying a 4-2 record in his last eight starts. He’s a monster favorite against a struggling Los Angeles Angels team and looks like a perfect pair with Scherzer.
Potential pivots: James Paxton ($8,700), Mike Fiers ($7,600)
Evan Gattis, C, Houston Astros, $3,800
vs. Oakland Athletics
While I like Sean Manaea as a pitcher, Gattis has simply had his number throughout his career. While he’s 4-of-15, Gattis also has a home run, four RBIs, two runs scored, a homer and a double. That’s the type of production that can really help out your lineup at a price of just $3,800. It’s a weird spot because the Astros actually haven’t excelled against Manaea, but Gattis looks to be the lone exception to that rule.
Potential pivots: Buster Posey ($4,000), Yadier Molina ($3,800)
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, Cleveland Indians, $4,500
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vs. Texas Rangers
The Indians offense shouldn’t go overlooked tonight against a pitcher in Tyson Ross who saw his first innings pitched of the season last week and was destroyed. Over 8.2 innings pitched in two games, Ross allowed nine earned runs. This bodes well for Encarnacion who has the power to have a multi-home run game at any point. Expect him and the Indians to be an interesting option to target tonight, and for him to more than live up to his price tag.
Potential pivots: Carlos Santana ($3,200), Trey Mancini ($3,600)
Jason Kipnis, 2B, Cleveland Indians, $3,600
vs. Texas Rangers
It’s time for a run on Indians it seems. Kipnis may prove to be the best option at second base tonight for all the same reasons that were pointed to above. The best part about Kipnis is that his $3,600 price tag won’t break the bank either, so you’ll be able to use him and a few others around this price to help get Scherzer into your lineup. Kipnis hasn’t been great in his past few games from a fantasy perspective, failing to top seven points in each of his last five games, but that’ll only help keep his ownership down.
Potential pivots: Jose Altuve ($4,900), Dustin Pedroia ($3,500)
Josh Donaldson, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays, $4,100
vs. Baltimore Orioles
Donaldson costs a bit more than what you’ve seen above, but $4,100 for a player like him isn’t bad. He also gets to face a pitcher in Kevin Gausman who has an ERA of 6.47 this season with 14 homers allowed and 39 walks. Through just 16 games he’s well on his way to setting a career-high in walks, and overall, this matchup on paper for the Blue Jays looks like money. No reason to fade Donaldson, as he should crush Gausman.
Potential pivots: Jose Ramirez ($4,900), Justin Turner ($4,700)
Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox, $5,000
vs. Minnesota Twins
Yes, Bogaerts is one of the most expensive non-pitchers tonight, but he’s going to be worth it. He has an elite matchup against Hector Santiago, who gives up a ton of home runs, allowing 26 so far to right-handed hitters this season. The Green Monster is going to be calling Bogaerts’ name, and while his price of $5,000 may push some people off him, if you can get him in the lineup then it’s certainly worth it.
Potential pivots: Francisco Lindor ($4,100), Corey Seager (5,300)
Mookie Betts and Chris Young, OF, Boston Red Sox, $5,100 and $3,500
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vs. Minnesota Twins
Going to pair up the Red Sox outfielders here for two different reasons. The first is that their matchup is great against Santiago, as previously mentioned. The second is that Betts is super expensive, but Young is going to provide a bit of salary cap relief. Both players should be good for big numbers and could be in a nice stack with Bogaerts assuming you can fit it. Looking past the matchup with Santiago tonight seems like a bad idea.
Potential pivots: Carlos Gomez ($4,400), Carlos Gonzalez ($3,200)
Tommy Pham, OF, St. Louis Cardinals, $4,400
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vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Tommy Pham can basically do it all. Yesterday, he went 2-for-3 with two walks, a stolen base, a RBI and three runs. While he’s not always going to hit homers (nine on the season), but he’s good for just about everything else. A well-rounded player like that is tough to come by and now he draws the very hittable Taijuan Walker. Pham’s the type of player that’s perfect for either a cash or GPP lineup and should continue his hot stretch into Tuesday.