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DraftKings Late MLB Picks For August 17

By Mike Marteny

Jul 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) hits a home run against the Colorado Rockies in the sixth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) hits a home run against the Colorado Rockies in the sixth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 12, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; A general view of the DraftKings sign board during the match with FC Dallas playing against New York City FC at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; A general view of the DraftKings sign board during the match with FC Dallas playing against New York City FC at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

DraftKings Late MLB Picks For August 17

We have ten games for the main tournament, but only two pitchers are priced as aces. Are they worth paying for? Can you find a bargain in the lower tier to spend on hitting? Let’s check the past stats for some assistance.

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NOTE: these picks are based solely on statistics. Some players have never faced their opponents, or have very little experience against them. I am not saying that none of those are good picks. The highest scorer of the day could be someone with no experience against his opponent. This is based on statistical analysis only. If you have a gut feeling, then by all means, follow that. This is not an exact science. The best lineups usually have a mix of proven stats and hot players. Check out this post from Matt McGarvey for great tips about whether to use a hot player in DFS or not.

Zack Godley gave up a run to the Mets in relief two weeks ago. He is unlikely to go deep into the game even if he pitches well, and doesn’t get many strikeouts. You can do better.

Jake Thompson has never faced the Dodgers, but he has a 8.68 ERA through his first two major league starts. There is no reason to take a risk like this.

For you first time players, if you would like $25 worth of free entry tickets, use this link for the referral bonus! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn that $25 into more!

Next: Pitcher Picks

Jul 31, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey (34) pitches during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey (34) pitches during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Best Bet:

Homer Bailey ($8,900): Bailey will still give up runs, but his past history against Miami is outstanding. The Marlins are only hitting .226 against him in 62 at bats with only two runs and a whopping 16 strikeouts. Bailey fanned 11 in his last start against Milwaukee. He could challenge that tonight.

Honorable Mention:

Scott Kazmir ($7,600): The Phillies are only 9-42(.214) against Kazmir with two runs scored and 14 strikeouts. He picked up 17.3 DraftKings points against the Phillies in L.A. last week. That is solid production in this price range. Don’t bet against him doing it again.

Dark Horse:

Kyle Gibson ($4,900): Gibson has shown flashes of brilliance in his career so far, but there has been far more bad than good. That said, the Braves are only 9-39(.231) against him with two runs (both driven in by the newly acquired Mike Aviles) and nine strikeouts. That is particularly impressive because Gibson rarely racks up strikeouts. He could be a sneaky good play tonight.

Next: Who Are The Best Stacks?

Aug 12, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) connects for an RBI single during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) connects for an RBI single during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

You have heard our FanDuel experts Matt Rogers and Brian Tulloch talk about “stacking” pieces of a lineup against certain pitchers. Not a stacker? You may not be alone. Matt McGarvey takes his stance against it. Here are the stacks that could work well on DraftKings today, based on past statistics.

Don’t forget to check out the DFS Lineup Optimizer over at FantasyPros. You can also pick your favorite players or favorite stack, and it will optimize the lineup around that! It really is an invaluable tool for you DFS players!

With the way that Yordano Ventura has struggled this year, it may be worth stacking Tigers against him. Miguel Cabrera ($4,900) is 5-16(.313) with a walk, a double, and three RBI. Ian Kinsler ($4,500) is 8-23(.348) with a walk, a double, and four RBI against Ventura. J.D. Martinez ($4,300) is 5-13(.385) with five walks and two doubles, but no counting stats. Victor Martinez ($4,100) is only 5-22(.227), but he has two walks, two homers, and five RBI against Ventura.

Anibal Sanchez has been even worse than Ventura. Billy Burns ($2,500) is only 1-6 against Sanchez, but he has a walk, a triple, and three RBI. Lorenzo Cain ($3,600) is 7-27(.259) with a double and a solo homer. Alcides Escobar ($3,800) is 9-33(.273) with a homer and three RBI against Sanchez. Eric Hosmer ($3,300) is 10-34(.294) with two walks, three doubles, a homer and five RBI against Sanchez. This could be what the ice-cold Hosmer needs to get back on track.

The Orioles haven’t always hit David Price hard, but they have hit him well (.267 average in 303 at bats). Chris Davis ($3,600) is 7-26(.269) with three walks and three RBI. Manny Machado ($5,100) is 7-25(.280) with two walks, a double, two homers, and four RBI off of Price. Mark Trumbo ($4,000) is 9-25(.360) with two doubles, two homers, and seven RBI. Matt Wieters ($2,800) is 15-50(.300) with three walks, six doubles, a homer, and four RBI off of Price. Steve Pearce ($3,800) is 6-20 with a walk, a homer, and four RBI against Price.

Jon Niese will replace Logan Verrett after the latter was torched by Arizona last week. Don’t worry, Arizona likes Niese too. Michael Bourn ($4,500) bucks the lefty-lefty trend by going 9-25(.360) with four walks, a double, and a RBI. Welington Castillo ($4,700) is only 4-16, but he has a walk and two solo homers off Niese. Paul Goldschmidt ($5,500) is only 3-13(.231), but he has three walks, a homer, and three RBI. Chris Owings ($5,000) is 4-8 with a walk, a double, two triples, and three RBI against Niese. Jean Segura ($5,200) is 5-14(.357) with a walk and a RBI. Yasmany Tomas ($5,000) is 4-9 with two doubles and a RBI. Tuffy Gosewisch ($2,800) is 2-4 with a solo homer. Rickie Weeks ($4,600) is 4-14(.286) with three walks, a double, and a solo homer off Niese. He is worth a looks if he cracks the lineup.

Carlos Carrasco has had a good season, but the White Sox don’t care. They still hit him hard. Jose Abreu ($4,700) is 6-22(.273) with a double, two homers, and six RBI. Melky Cabrera ($3,300) is 9-21(.429) with three walks, a double, two homers, and eight driven in against Carrasco. Adam Eaton ($4,100) is 7-20 with four walks, two doubles, and two RBI. Justin Morneau ($3,300) is 3-6 with two walks, two doubles, and two RBI against Carrasco.

Next: More Notes For 8-17

Jun 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (24) hits a double during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (24) hits a double during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Ryan Braun ($5,100) is 7-16 with a walk, two doubles, and a RBI against Jon Lester.

Dexter Fowler ($5,200) is 4-14(.286) with four walks, a double, two homers, and six RBI against Jimmy Nelson. Jorge Soler ($4,500) is 6-17(.353) with a walk, three doubles, a homer, and three RBI. Anthony Rizzo ($5,300) is only 4-21(.190), but he has a double, a triple, a homer, and three RBI against Nelson.

Coco Crisp ($3,400) is 8-24 with three walks, two triples, a homer, and eight RBI against Yu Darvish. Stephen Vogt ($3,000) is 4-10 with two RBI against Darvish. Khris Davis ($3,400) is 2-3 with a double and a solo homer.

Derek Dietrich ($3,400) is 2-4 with a RBI against Homer Bailey. He may be worth a look if he starts.

Brandon Guyer ($3,900) is 2-6 with a homer and two RBI against Anthony Ranaudo. That should come as no surprise because Ranaudo has given up 15 gopher balls in only 65 major league innings.

Robinson Cano ($3,600) is 4-7 with a double and three RBI against Tyler Skaggs. Franklin Gutierrez ($3,400) is 3-3 with a double, a homer, and two RBI against Skaggs. Kyle Seager ($3,900) is 4-9 with a solo shot.

Kurt Suzuki ($2,700) and Kennys Vargas ($3,600) both hit home runs against Mike Foltynewicz back on July 27th. Keep an eye on the starting lineup though. Vargas may not start without the DH in play.

Joey Votto ($5,300) is 4-7 with four walks, two triples, and three RBI against Andrew Cashner. Zack Cozart ($3,900) is only 2-9, but he has a solo homer.

Mookie Betts ($5,400) is almost always in play in DFS at this point, but it is even nicer when you have past stats to back it up. Betts is 2-3 with a solo homer against Dylan Bundy.

Ian Desmond ($4,700) is 3-8 with a double, a homer, and two RBI against Sean Manaea. Elvis Andrus ($4,200) is 4-8 with a double and a RBI. Adrian Beltre ($5,100) is 3-6 with a RBI.

Be sure to check out the FanDuel picks from out experts in that area! Brian Tulloch provides the picks, while Matt Rogers tells you where to save in his FanDuel Economics articles. Don’t play FanDuel without them!

Next: DFS Strategy - Take Your Game to the Next Level

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball!