DraftKings Main MLB Picks For August 31

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 Main MLB Picks For August 31

We have nine games for the DraftKings main tournament tonight. Only two pitchers priced at $9,000 or more take the mound tonight. Should we go cheap on hitting, or spend on the elite pitchers? Let’s take a look at the past stats to try and point us in the right direction.

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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?

Aug 25, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Matt Wisler (37) pitches during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Pat Dean has never faced Cleveland, but why would you use him? His ERA sits at 6.24. He hasn’t had any measure of success as a starter or in relief. Stay away from him until he shows some signs of getting back to his May form.

Rookie Luis Cessa has never faced the Royals. He has had a good start, and two below average starts. He doesn’t have huge upside here because the Royals don’t strike out a lot, but the Yankee offense has not been kind of former farmhand Ian Kennedy. Cessa may not have a great game, but he does have a good shot at the win.

Matt Wisler looks like a strong play against a challenged Padres offense. He turned in a gem in his return to the majors last week against Arizona, giving up just one run on two hits and three walks while striking out four in eight innings. He looks in line for a strong performance here.

Paul Clemens has never faced the Braves. His 5.06 ERA is hard to justify using, but if you were going to use him against anyone, it would likely be the Braves. That still doensn’t mean you should though.

Mike Montgomery has never faced the Pirates. He has put up a 2.51 ERA with the Cubs, and has had modest success as a starter. He still is not going deep into games, so he has a low ceiling.

Next: Pitcher Picks

Aug 26, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) pitches during the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Best Bet:

Gio Gonzalez ($8,400): Gonzalez has a favorable matchup here against the Phillies. The Phils have only hit .224 against Gio in 174 at bats with four homers, 15 RBI, and 44 strikeouts. Those aren’t elite numbers, but they are definitely good enough to use at this price. Especially when you consider the fact that most of the damage is done by one player. Who? Well, you will just have to find out later.

Honorable Mention:

Brandon Finnegan ($8,200): Brandon Finnegan has never faced the Angels. He has posted a 2.67 ERA in August, and has fanned 20 batters in his last two starts. Finnegan has nice upside here, even though the Angels offense has been rolling lately.

Dark Horse:

Luke Weaver ($4,500): Luke Weaver has never faced the Brewers. He has turned in three solid starts, posting a 1-1 record with a 3.60 ERA. He also has 16 strikeouts in 15 innings. Weaver likely wont go deep into the game, but this is a very intriguing matchup for us DFS players. And at this price, he really isn’t much of a risk.

Next: Who Are The Best Stacks?

Aug 20, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) hits a solo home run during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

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!

You’re just going to have have to trust me on this: it is much safer to stack against Corey Kluber than to use him. Juan Centeno ($2,400) has a walk, a homer, and two RBI in two at bats. If he plays, he is worth a look. Joe Mauer ($3,700) is 13-43(.310) with five walks, three doubles, a triple, two homers, and four RBI. Trevor Plouffe ($3,200) is 13-42(.310) with two doubles, three homers, and ten RBI against Kluber. If Kennys Vargas ($3,300) cracks the lineup, he is worth using. Vargas has four hits in 14 at bats, with a double, a homer, and two RBI.

He’s baaaack. But just because Aaron Sanchez is back in the rotation for the stretch run doesn’t mean you should rush to use him against Baltimore. The Orioles have hit him pretty well. Pedro Alvarez ($3,500) is 2-7 with two walks, a homer, and two RBI against Sanchez. Chris Davis ($4,400) has crushed Sanchez. Davis is 6-14(.429) with five walks, a double, three homers, and four RBI against him. Matt Wieters ($3,400) only has one hit in four at bats, but it is a two run homer. Manny Machado ($4,800) is 5-18(.278) with a walk, two doubles, and two RBI.

Edwin Encarnacion ($5,300) is 8-20 with five walks, a double, three homers, and seven RBI against Yovani Gallardo. Troy Tulowitzki ($5,100) is 11-31(.355) with a walk, four doubles, a homer, and four RBI off Gallardo. Ezequiel Carrera ($3,600) has one hit, a solo homer, in three at bats. Josh Donaldson ($5,500) is 5-13(.385) with three walks, a double, and two RBI. Devon Travis ($4,900) has a single, a double, a homer, and two RBI in seven at bats against Gallardo.

Ian Kennedy has six consecutive quality starts, but the Yankees have hit their former prospect hard. Starlin Castro ($3,500) is 8-29(.276) with a walk, two doubles, a triple, a homer, and four RBI against Kennedy. Didi Gregorius ($3,600) has three hits in 11 at bats, including a double, a homer, and three RBI. Chase Headley ($3,200) is 8-27(.296) with six walks, a double, a triple, two homers, and five RBI against Kennedy. Look out for Brian McCann ($3,400). McCann is 6-19(.316) with two walks, a double, two homers, and three RBI off of Kennedy.

The Cardinals have hammered Matt Garza. They are hitting .347 with four homers and 21 RBI, so you know there are stack options. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, they are without Matt Adams and Matt Holliday, who are 21-51 with a homer and eight RBI. Jhonny Peralta ($4,000) is 18-40 with a walk, two doubles, two homers, and five RBI. Brandon Moss ($5,300) is 7-15 with a walk, a double, and a solo homer. Matt Carpenter ($5,400) only has six hits in 22 at bats(.273), but he has five walks, a double, and a RBI. Yadier Molina ($3,500) has five RBI against Garza, but he is only 3-19(.158) against him.

Martin Prado ($3,200) is 8-23(.348) with two solo homers against Bartolo Colon. J.T. Realmuto ($3,900) has gone 5-17(.294) against Colon with three doubles and a solo homer. Justin Bour and Giancarlo Stanton have both hit Colon well, but they are both injured. Look out for Ichiro Suzuki. Ichiro ($3,400) is 29-106(.274) with a walk, two doubles, a triple, three homers, and nine RBI against Colon.

Next: More Notes For 8-31

Aug 18, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) hits a double off of Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Zach Davies (not pictured) during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Freddy Galvis ($3,200) is 8-31(.258) with a walk, two doubles, a homer, and two RBI against Gio Gonzalez. However, it has been Darin Ruf ($3,500) that has really put the wood to Gio. Ruf is 10-28(.357) with eight walks, three doubles, three homers, and ten RBI against him.

Danny Espinosa ($4,500) is 2-6 with two solo homers against Adam Morgan. Wilson Ramos ($4,100) is 3-5 with a homer and a whopping five RBI against Morgan.

David Phelps has pitched well, but a couple of Mets have managed to get to him. Jay Bruce ($3,700) is 3-7 with three walks, a double, two homers, and three RBI against Phelps. Wilmer Flores ($3,600) is 2-5 with a walk, a homer, and two RBI.

Zack Cozart ($3,600) is 5-7 with a double, a triple, and a solo homer against Ricky Nolasco. Brandon Phillips ($3,300) is 6-27(.222) with three walks, a homer, and five RBI. Joey Votto ($5,300) has seven hits in 22 at bats(.318) with two walks, a double, two homers, and four RBI against Nolasco.

Anthony Rizzo ($5,300) is 4-8 with a double, three homers, and five RBI against Ryan Vogelsong. Miguel Montero ($3,200) is worth using if he starts. Montero is 9-32(.281) with three walks, three doubles, and four RBI against Vogelsong. Jason Heyward ($3,400) is 5-14(.357) with three walks, a double, and a solo homer.

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