Jorge Soler has 4 career home runs vs. the Reds. (Getty)
I’ve been having success in DraftKings by using top pitchers and putting together a financially-efficient – yet productive – hitting lineup.
Tuesday I took the same approach after carefully researching the MLB schedule. I spent a lot of my salary cap on the hurlers, but found some serious bargains when it came to filling out the rest of my lineup.
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.
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Here are the best lineup picks for April 14:
Pitchers
Matt Harvey faces the Phillies at home Tuesday. (Getty)
Matt Harvey, Mets, $9,300, vs. Phillies
That Phillies offense is putrid at the moment and Harvey (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is on his way to being one of the best pitchers in the league, if he isn’t already. He’s pricey, but you gotta spend money to make money.
Carlos Carrasco, Indians, $8,800, vs. White Sox
Taking advantage of another light-hitting team in the White Sox, I also purchased a rather expensive Carrasco (1-0, 0.00), who was brilliant in his first start (6 1/3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 10 K). CC was 2-1 with a 2.49 ERA in 4 outings vs. the ChiSox in 2014.
Catcher
Astros catcher Jason Castro. (Getty)
Jason Castro, Astros, $3,900, vs. A’s
Castro and his Astros teammates face the A’s Kendall Graveman (0-1, 18.90 ERA), who was absolutely lit up in his first start. Lefties like Castro had two homers and 7 RBIs in 10 official at-bats in the game.
First Base
Adrian Gonzalez has 5 home runs. (Getty)
Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers, $4,200, vs. Mariners
Gonzalez hasn’t homered in 4 games. Clearly, he’s washed up. I’m kidding, of course, but his DK salary is a total bargain and lower than other 1Bs like Lucas Duda and Brandon Moss. Gonzo has hit in all 7 games and is getting on base at a .625 clip.
Second Base
Tim Beckham of the Rays. (Getty)
Tim Beckham, Rays, $3,100, at Blue Jays
I’ve never used Beckham in a fantasy lineup before, but I should be at that bargain price. Well, you do have to be careful because there’s no guarantee Becks will be in the lineup, but it’s a risk I am taking today. He’s on the roster, why sit him (rhetorical question for the Rays)? Besides, Beckham has held his own. In order to get the pitchers I wanted, I needed to go a little cheaper in spots, but I think Beckham could be a hidden gem Tuesday.
Shortstop
Jed Lowrie of the Astros. (Getty)
Jed Lowrie, Astros, $4,100, vs. A’s
The switch-hitting Lowrie has deceivingly decent pop (if there is such thing) and, as mentioned above, has a matchup with one of the more generous pitchers on the day’s docket.
Third Base
Jake Lamb has 7 RBIs. (Getty)
Jake Lamb, Diamondbacks, $3,600, at Padres
Here’s your opportunity to the get Lamber in your lineup. I know Petco Park isn’t conducive to offense, but Lamb, who is hitting .400 with a dinger and 7 RBIs in 4 starts, didn’t seem phased Monday evening. He’ll play vs. righties and the Pads are sending one, Odrisamer Despaigne, out there tonight.
Outfield
Mets outfielder Michael Cuddyer. (Getty)
Jorge Soler, Cubs, $4,800, vs. Reds
Soler sent two balls into orbit Monday, his first HRs of the year. Not sure if we can expected a repeat performance, but the Reds are a team he has taken a liking to. In his short career vs. Cincy, Soler eclipsed all expectations – 10 for 21 with 4 homers and 9 RBIs.
Michael Cuddyer, Mets, $4,100, vs. Phillies
With 3 hits and a homer over the past 2 games, Cuddyer seems to be waking up. He’s a streaky hitter and it appears he’s at the beginning of something good here. At $4.1k, you can certainly make room for Cuddyer.
Charlie Blackmon, Rockies, $4,000, at Giants
Blackmon hit well in two parks last season – Coors Field (duh) and San Francisco’s AT&T (.364). Tuesday night the Rockies play in San Fran. Plus, Blackmon fares well vs. Tim Hudson, the Giants starter; 5 hits in 16 at-bats.
Total Lineup Salary: $49,900 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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