Max Scherzer has a 0.66 ERA through 2 starts. (Getty)
Friday’s MLB schedule gives us a number of struggling pitchers on the mound. That’s good news as those are the ones who can make you money on DraftKings.
The key to building your bankroll in DraftKings is finding those pitchers who get battered around and use opposing hitter. It’s really that simple. It’s time consuming, but simple.
Don’t worry, that’s why I am here, to do that legwork. Here are a few pitchers I’m exploiting Friday night:
– Arizona’s Josh Collmenter does not have his best stuff at the moment. Load up on your Giants.
– Ubaldo Jimenez had a great game for Baltimore in his first go, but the Red Sox pose problems for him.
– Colorado’s Kyle Kendrick came back to earth after a dominant first start. Advantage Dodgers here.
**The lineup below is for a night game only contest on DraftKings.**
DraftKings uses the following parameters: You get a $50,000 cap to spend on 10 players – 2 pitchers, 1 catcher, 1 first baseman, 1 second baseman, 1 shortstop, 1 third baseman and 3 outfielders.
Hitters Scoring:
Single = +3 points
Double = +5 points
Triple = +8 points
Home Run = +10 points
Run Batted In = +2 points
Run = +2 points
Base on Balls = +2 points
Hit By Pitch = +2 points
Stolen Base = +5 points
Caught Stealing = -2 points
Pitchers Scoring:
Inning Pitched = +2.25 points
Strike Out = +2 points
Win = +4 points
Earned Run Allowed = -2 points
Hit Against = -0.6 points
Base on Balls Against = -0.6 points
Hit Batsman = -0.6 points
Complete Game = +2.5 points
Complete Game Shut Out = +2.5 points
No Hitter = +5 points
*NOTE: Hitting statistics for Pitchers will not be counted, and Pitching statistics for Hitters will not be counted.
Here are the best lineup picks for April 17:
Pitchers
Joe Kelly held the Yankees to 1 hit and 1 run in his first start. (Getty)
Max Scherzer, Nationals, $11,700, vs. Phillies
Despite not having a win, Scherzer (0-0, 0.66 ERA), Scherzer has been dominant, striking out 16 in 13 2/3 innings. The Phillies’ offense is currently somewhere between atrocious and really, really bad, so splurge on Scherzer.
Joe Kelly, Red Sox, $5,100, vs. Orioles.
Kelly (1-0, 1.29 ERA) is coming off a stellar performance vs. the Yankees, allowing just 1 hit and 1 run over 7 innings. He gets the Orioles, who can hit, but they never have vs. Kelly; the right-hander held them to 9 base knocks in 13 1/3 innings in 2014. If last year is any indication, the Red Sox should jump all over O’s starter Ubaldo Jimenez, so if Kelly can limit the damage, a W is very possible.
Catcher
Buster Posey has made a habit of crushing Arizona pitching. (Getty)
Buster Posey, Giants, $4,000, vs. Diamondbacks
Posey’s price tag is a bit high, but he’ll be totally worth it Friday. The C/1B is 11 for 20 (.550) with 3 home runs and 9 RBIs vs. D-backs starter Josh Collmenter. Posey has made a habit of terrorizing the Arizona staff.
First Base
Former Royal Billy Butler returns to Kansas City Friday night. (Getty)
Billy Butler, A’s, $3,900, at Royals
Butler returns to Kansas City, where the former Royal is a career .312 hitter. Butler is off to a hot start with his new team – .359 and has hit in all 10 games. He’ll be fired up to put on a good show at Kauffman Stadium.
Second Base
Dustin Pedroia is hitting .300 with 3 home runs. (Getty)
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox, $4,500, vs. Orioles
Pedroia is heating up – he’s 5 for his last 8 with a homer. And his immediate future is bright as he is 7 for 17 vs. Baltimore righty Ubaldo Jimenez. Despite a down season in 2014, Pedroia still battered Baltimore to the tune of .351 (20 for 57).
Shortstop
Jed Lowrie leads the Astros with 3 homers. (Getty)
Jed Lowrie, Astros, $3,900, vs. Angels
Lowrie doesn’t light up Angels starter Jered Weaver (7 for 22 with a homer and 7 RBIs), but he does well enough. This is more about Weaver’s early season struggles. Lowrie will be hitting from the left side, where batters are 10 for 23 with 2 HRs vs. the righty.
Third Base
Jake Lamb is hitting .381 vs. right-handed pitching. (Getty)
Jake Lamb, Diamondbacks, $3,600, at Giants
Lamb came into April like a lion and has been roaring since. He’s hitting .409 and will be a mainstay in the lineup as long as he’s hitting (against right-handers like Giants starter Jake Peavy, at least). The price is right and while it’s early, it’s always good to see a young hitter walk more than he strikes out.
Outfield
Nelson Cruz has homered in 5 straight games. (Getty)
Nelson Cruz, Mariners, $4,800, vs. Rangers
Cruz has homered in 5 straight games (6 total). He faces the Rangers and righty Yovani Gallardo tonight and all he does is hit bombs off the ex-Brewer. Seriously. Two at-bats, two homers. OK, not a very big sample size, but Cruz is absolutely locked in so don’t be surprised if he goes yard once again.
Lorenzo Cain, Royals, $4,300, vs. A’s
Cain will be in my lineup until he shows signs of slowing down. He hasn’t. He’s hit in all 9 games and is tied for the AL lead with 11 RBIs. A’s starter Sonny Gray has been lights out, but I’m leaning on Cain. I’m not overthinking this one.
Kevin Kiermaier, Rays, $4,200, vs. Yankees
Kiermaier has been a pleasant surprise for the Rays (.344 with 2 homers). He’s been a mainstay in my lineup – against righties, at least. Kiermaier faces one Friday night in the Yankees’ Adam Warren.
Total Lineup Salary: $50,000 of the allotted $50,000
Each day, we’ll give you the rundown of who to pick for a winning lineup, so stay with us the entire season.
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DraftKings Daily Fantasy Baseball: Best Picks for April 17