Early DraftKings MLB Picks August 16: Can You Afford To Fade Stanton Right Now?

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – AUGUST 10: Danny Salazar #31 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 10, 2017 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Early MLB Picks For August 16

We have six games in the afternoon DraftKings tournament, which makes this the most even split we have had in quite some time. There are a few solid pitching options out there, with a couple of pitchers worth stacking against. Who can we pay for and still get a solid two man rotation? Let’s check some stats!

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The money line last night was down a touch to 115.2. My lineup with Castillo and Dinelson Lamet made it in easily. The other was undone by Marco Estrada (I knew better) and a disappointing outing from MadBum.

The winning lineup was just over 200 at 200.7. That was just 0.6 points ahead of second place! He used Danny Salazar with Lamet and got big returns from his Texas and Oakland stack.

These picks are based mostly on statistical analysis . 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 $10 worth of free entry tickets, use this link for the referral bonus! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn that $10 into more!

Next: DraftKings Early Lineup

DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 10: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers during a MLB game at Comerica Park on August 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

P: Gerrit Cole ($11,800): Cole has held the Brewers to a .163 average in 80 at bats with only two homers, five runs, and 22 strikeouts. He will have to look out for Eric Thames in this lefty hitter’s paradise, but there is plenty of strikeout upside to offset and runs he gives up today. Cole has the highest ceiling of the afternoon if you are willing to pay for it.

P: Jose Urena ($7,400): The Giants have only scored more than three runs in a game four times in the last 11 games. That is good news for Urena, who is pitching pretty well lately. He has a 3.62 ERA in ten home starts this year. Urena doesn’t possess elite strikeout potential, but the Giants don’t whiff much anyway. You are using him for the outs he can rack up against this mostly toothless lineup.

C: Carlos Ruiz ($2,200): I usually take the backup catcher against the worst pitcher on a day like this. Ubaldo is not the worst, but Chooch looks too cheap here. Ruiz has hit .314 in 59 at bats since May 17th. He is a solid punt that should be worth a few points this afternoon.

1B: Rhys Hoskins ($3,300): Hoskins probably has the best power from the right side on the entire team with Aaron Altherr out again. All Phillies righties are in play against middling lefty Clayton Richard today. I want Hoskins for his power potential and salary break.

2B: Robinson Cano ($4,200): Cano is 9-17(.529) with a walk, four doubles, two homers, six runs scored, and four RBI in his career against Ubaldo Jimenez. Cano has been in a bit of a funk lately, and Ubaldo is pitching better than he has in years, but that can come to a screeching halt at any time. It could be today.

3B: Ryon Healy ($3,400): Healy has destroyed left handed pitching this season, and Danny Duffy is allowing a .444 slugging percentage to right handed hitters. Healy’s price is down because Duffy in on the mound, but this isn’t the 2016 version of Danny Duffy. He is allowing more runs and striking out far less hitters. Healy homered off of Duffy in the only other game he played against him. The price is right to see if he can do it again.

SS: Tim Beckham ($4,500): This is about where I expected Beckham’s price to end up, but he still isn’t the highest priced shortstop on the day. That honor goes to Jean Segura. However, Beckham is still as hot as anyone not named Giancarlo right now, so this is still a bargain until he cools off.

OF: Giancarlo Stanton ($5,800): Stanton’s historic power surge rolls on, and it should keep rolling against Matt Cain. Stanton is 8-22(.364) with six walks, four homers, five runs scored, and six RBI in his career against Cain. During some of that time, Cain was actually one of the better pitchers in the league. That isn’t so anymore, and Stanton could be the most dangerous hitter around when he is on. 22 homers in his last 44 games says that he is on.

OF: Michael Taylor ($4,300): Taylor has never faced Ricky Nolasco, but this seems like a good place to get exposure to this game. I will pay up for Brian Goodwin if he is in the lineup. A Nationals stack is in order against Nolasco if you can fit it into your budget, but keep in mind that it will likely be the most popular stack of the afternoon.

OF: Kole Calhoun ($3,100): Every time I pick Calhoun, he fails. Tanner Roark has pitched well over the last month or so, but Calhoun is finally trending upward. He owns a .361 average over his last ten games. There isn’t a lot for counting stats yet, but those are bound to follow if he keeps getting on base. He has also scored eight runs in that span.

Next: DraftKings MLB Main Slate Picks

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball, along with our PGA picks. We also have plenty of NFL stuff to get you ready for football!