DraftKings Main MLB Picks For August 25
There are nine games in the main tournament tonight. We also have a few aces to choose from. Should we try for two of them since DraftKings has two pitcher slots, or should we find bargains and pay for hitters? Let’s check the past stats for some help.
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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.
For you first time players, if you would like $20 worth of free entry tickets, use this link for the referral bonus! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn that $20 into more!
Next: Should You Dismiss These Pitchers Because Of No Past History?
Seth Lugo has never faced the Cardinals. He was decent in his first major league start on Friday against the Giants, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk in 6.2 innings while striking out three. He wont get a lot of strikeouts, but considering Wainwright’s struggles against the Mets in his career, Lugo could be a decent option.
Matt Wisler is being recalled to start against Arizona since John Gant was used in relief on Monday. Wisler spent all of August in the minors with modest success. His 3.73 ERA at AAA Gwinnett is much better than the 5.16 mark he posted a few miles south on I-85. At any rate, it’s probably wise to avoid Wisler today. The Diamondbacks beat up on ace Julio Teheran last night.
The current Royals are 4-14 with a pair of RBI and no strikeouts against Tom Koehler. That said, the 30 year old Koehler has strung together six straight quality starts, and posts a stellar 2.16 ERA in August. He wont wow you with strikeouts, but he could get you five or so, and has a nice matchup with the Royals.
Chad Kuhl has never faced the Brewers, but he automatically is in consideration because of his opponent. Kuhl has also posted four straight quality starts since the Cubbies knocked him around on July 9th. Kuhl doesn’t rack up strikeouts, but he could be a good play at his price ($6,600) if he keeps getting outs.
James Paxton has only allowed two hits in 11 at bats to the current White Sox roster. However, I am still cautious here because Paxton is fresh off the DL, and his $9,700 price tag is a big risk for a pitcher in his first start off the shelf. He has a great win potential, but will he really score enough to make him worth that?
Anthony Ranaudo has never faced the Mariners. The two that he has faced, Nelson Cruz and Chris Iannetta, are both 1-2 with doubles off of him. His 9.42 ERA in the majors this year should tell you all that you need to know. Stay away from this one. Seattle can hit right handers very hard.
Next: Pitcher Picks
Best Bets:
Cole Hamels ($9,800): The Rangers are finally getting the Cole Hamels they envisioned when they traded for him a little over a year ago. Hamels has surrendered just ten earned runs is his last six starts after allowing ten in his two starts before the All Star break. His numbers against Cleveland are pretty good as well. The Tribe are only hitting .230 against him in 61 at bats with only one homer, just five runs, and a solid 15 strikeouts. He is rolling lately, and I will gladly take him over Scherzer and pocket the extra $1,800.
Honorable Mention:
Max Scherzer ($11,600): Okay, so I know you are wondering why Scherzer is down here and not in the elite tier. First off, he has struggled some in his last two starts, and the Orioles are hitting pretty well. Second, the Orioles have been pretty good against him in his career. His numbers certainly aren’t ace-like against Baltimore. They are hitting .245 with eight homers and 16 RBI in 151 at bats. The only thing that still keeps him here is the 50 strikeouts. That is an elite number, and helps ease the pain of the runs he will give up, because he will give up some runs. He hasn’t had a scoreless outing since June 29th against the Mess……er…..Mets.
Dark Horses:
Matt Moore ($6,700): Moore’s last start in a Rays uniform was against the Dodgers on July 27th. He allowed just one unearned run on four hits and four walks while striking out five in 6.2 innings. His 4.70 ERA in the senior circuit leaves something to be desired, but he has a solid history against the Dodgers. They have struck out 14 times in 61 at bats with a .246 average and seven runs scored. However, Trayce Thompson drove in four of those, and he is currently on the DL. Not great numbers, but good for this price and his chance at a win is very good.
Ross Stripling ($5,300): Stripling did not give up a hit on April 8th in his start against the Giants in 7.1 innings pitched. He did walk four, and was charged with a run after the bullpen fell apart on him in that game, but he was dominant in that game if you are looking to roll the dice with the rookie.
Next: Who Are The Best Stacks?
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.
On the last page I mentioned that the Orioles are pretty good against Scherzer. Yes, I am recommending a stack against one of the best pitchers in baseball, but you faithful readers know that I have the stats to back this up. Chris Davis ($3,800) is 8-21(.381) with two walks, a double, a homer, and two RBI against Scherzer. Adam Jones ($3,500) has a cool .500 average (11-22) with two doubles, three homers, and four RBI. Steve Pearce ($2,500) is 2-6 with a homer and two RBI. Pedro Alvarez and Manny Machado have both taken Scherzer deep as well. The bad news? They are a combined 2-27. J.J. Hardy ($2,500) is only 5-29(.172), but he has a walk, two doubles, a homer, and three RBI if you are looking for a long shot.
You may want to consider a stack against the struggling Josh Tomlin. Elvis Andrus ($3,500) is 3-8 with a pair of RBI. Johnathan Lucroy ($4,800) only has three at bats against Tomlin, but he has turned in a double and a solo homer. Adrian Beltre ($4,200) is 4-10 with a double, a homer, and five RBI against Tomlin. Ian Desmond ($4,000) also has turned in a double and a homer in just three at bats. He has picked up a pair of RBI as well.
J.A. Happ has had a superb season, but he is not a good play against the Angels. They have 15 runs off of him in just 60 at bats! Stack instead! Kole Calhoun ($3,000) doesn’t care that Happ is a lefty. He is 4-7 with a walk, a double, two homers, and three RBI against him anyway. Jefry Marte ($2,800) should be in the lineup, and is 2-5 with a double, a homer, and two RBI against Happ. Albert Pujols ($3,800) has struggled a bit at 6-26(.231), but he has four walks, a double, a homer, and five RBI against Happ. Mike Trout ($4,700) may also be worth a look. Trout is 2-8 with three walks, two doubles, and two RBI.
Jered Weaver is taking the mound, so you know there is a stack involved here! Edwin Encarnacion ($5,000) is 3-10 with three walks, a homer, and three RBI. Russell Martin‘s ($4,900) 8-32 is nothing to write home about, but he has four walks, a double, a homer, and two RBI. Justin Smoak has hit Weaver hard. Smoak ($3,600) is 10-34(.294) with three walks, three doubles, three homers, and eight RBI against Weaver. Melvin Upton, Jr. ($4,200) is 6-19(.316) with a walk, a homer, and two driven in. Michael Saunders ($4,200) has a robust .346 average (9-26) with a walk, two doubles, a homer, and three RBI. Thinking about Josh Donaldson? Don’t. He is just 2-16 against Weaver without a long ball.
Yes, I am advocating a stack against another big name in Adam Wainwright. Yoenis Cespedes ($4,800) is 3-12 with a homer and two RBI. James Loney ($3,000) has punished Wainwright. Loney is 16-31(.516) with a walk, five doubles, a homer, and three RBI against him. Jay Bruce ($4,400) has another chance to get back on track against Wainwright. Bruce is 12-41(.293) with five walks, two doubles, two homers, and an impressive 10 RBI against Wainwright. At least Waino dodges Lucas Duda and David Wright, who have combined for nine RBI against him.
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!
Next: More Notes For 8-25
Ubaldo Jimenez is making a return to the Orioles’ rotation, though it’s not because of merit. It is because Chris Tillman is headed for the DL. Daniel Murphy ($5,300) is 3-11 with a walk, a homer, and four RBI against Ubaldo. Ryan Zimmerman ($4,200) is 5-17(.294) with two walks, two doubles, and two RBI. At least Ubaldo dodges Stephen Drew, who tagged him for two homers and five RBI.
Matt Kemp ($4,300) has hit Robbie Ray hard. Kemp is 5-11(.455) with a double, two homers, and five RBI against Ray.
New Marlin Oswaldo Arcia ($3,100) is familiar with Edinson Volquez from his days with the Twins. Arcia is 3-8 with a double, a homer, and two RBI should the Marlins choose to use him. He helps ease the loss of Giancarlo Stanton, who is the only other current Marlin to homer against Volquez.
Mike Napoli ($3,400) is the only current Cleveland player who has homered off of Cole Hamels. The bad news is that it’s his only hit in five trips to the plate.
David Freese ($4,000) is 4-10 with a walk, a homer, and five RBI against Wily Peralta. Andrew McCutchen ($4,700) is only 3-15, but he has a walk and a solo homer.
Howie Kendrick ($4,400) is 6-14(.429) with a walk, a double, and two RBI against Matt Moore. Joc Pederson ($4,300) is 1-2 with three walks and a solo homer against Moore.
Be sure to check out the FanDuel picks from out experts in that area! Brian Tulloch provides the picks, and alternative plays if you don’t want to follow the herd. Don’t play FanDuel before checking it out!
Next: DFS Strategy - Take Your Game to the Next Level
Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball!