Daily Fantasy Baseball: Angels’ Mike Trout Draft Kings top play for April 15
Before you even attempt to draft your team for tonight make sure to check the weather. Tonight’s Yankees vs. Cubs game has already been postponed due to weather and there is a chance the Phillies vs. Braves and Orioles vs. Rays could suffer a similar fate.
Knowing this, I recommend avoiding players in all of these games.
Apr 8, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Yordano Ventura (30) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Today’s pitching matchups aren’t great, but they are better than yesterday.
I was inclined to get Stephen Strasburg into the lineup, but as the highest priced starting pitcher on the board at $12,000 it just couldn’t work.
Here are my Draft Kings recommendations for Tuesday, April 15.
SP 1: Yordano Ventura, Royals @ Astros, $7,500
Ventura shut down the Rays last week hurling six shutout innings, while striking out six and only allowing two hits. Tonight he goes up against the Astros, who led the league with 1,535 strike outs last season. Ventura and his 100 MPH fastball will capitalize on that and could end up being a top three starting pitcher play tonight. For his salary, he could prove to be a great bargain.
SP 2: Garrett Richards, Angels vs A’s, $7,000
Richards is another starter that won’t eat up your budget, while still coming with upside. In his two starts this season, he has combined to throw 12 innings, while only allowing one run and striking out 13. His Achilles heel continues to be command, as he has allowed eight walks so far this season. That could be an issue tonight as the A’s have drawn the third most walks in the league so far this season. Despite that the A’s have only scored the 14th most runs in the MLB this season and Richards should be able to keep that number down.
Catcher: Russell Martin, $4,400
While Mike Leake has looked good so far this season, Martin has feasted on him in the past. In his career against Leake, Martin is 9-for-19, with a double, a home run and three RBI. It will only help his cause if the ball carries anything like it did last night.
First Base: Albert Pujols, $5,200
Pujols has been tearing the leather off the ball. He comes into the night on a 10-game hitting streak, with homers in four of his past six games. On top of that he is 6-for-14 with a home run in his career against Dan Straily. Now is the perfect time to play him, despite his heft asking price.
Cheaper option: Edwin, Encarnacion, $4,200
If you are looking to save at first base, Encarnacion is your man. He has good career numbers against Phil Hughes, as he is 12-for-34 lifetime with one home run. Despite that he is still batting .220 and still searching for his first long ball.
Second Base: Daniel Murphy, $4,100
Murphy has always had success against Bronson Arroyo, as he is 6-for-13 with two doubles against him. Hitting in the friendly confines of Chase Field will only help his cause.
Third Base: Aramis Ramirez, $4,800
Ramirez has been a key factor for the hot hitting Brewers, coming into tonight batting .358 with 11 RBI. He has also owned Shelby Miller, batting .500 against him with a home run and four RBI in 10 career at-bats.
Shortstop: Danny Espinosa, $2,700
Apr 5, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) in the on-deck circle during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. The Braves defeated the Nationals 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
Espinosa will now see regular at-bats with Ryan Zimmerman going down due to a thumb injury. He will provide daily fantasy owners with some cheap pop for the time being, as his asking price will likely increase as he plays more frequently. Espinosa crushed the ball last night belting a double and a triple, while driving in a run and scoring twice. With a great matchup against Tom Koehler, this is a great low risk, high reward play.
Outfield One: Mike Trout, $5,500
Trout is coming off an 0-for-4 game, but has been swinging a hot stick. Trout, like Pujols, has been crushing the ball in the middle of the Angels lineup and has had success against Straily, going 6-for-15 against him in his career. If only he can get going on the base paths.
Outfield Two: Bryce Harper, $4,800
Harper is another hitter whose been on fire lately, batting .422 in his last 10 games. He continued his hot hitting last night, belting two doubles and a triple, while scoring once and driving in one. Chances are if you started him last night, he rewarded you with some money. That trend should continue tonight, as he has already homered off of Koehler in his career.
Outfield Three: Alex Rios, $3,900
Rios is a great value play to round out a very strong outfield. His price is down as he has struggled in his past 10 games, but he is facing Blake Beavan tonight in Texas. That matchup has upside written all over it, as Rios has already homered in his career against him.
Well, there you have it. This is the team I am running out there tonight and advise you to do the same. Hopefully, we will all be a little richer tomorrow.
For more fantasy updates or to ask a question follow Michael on twitter @MichaelFFlorio.