Early DraftKings MLB Picks August 23: Pay Up For Dylan Bundy

OAKLAND, CA – JULY 16: Ryon Healy #25 of the Oakland Athletics hits a bases loaded two-run rbi single against the Cleveland Indians in the bottom of the first inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on July 16, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Early MLB Picks For August 23

We only have two games in the early DraftKings tournaments today, so the pickings are really slim. There are two pitchers that stand out over the rest, but it can make it tough to afford the Orioles stack that is going to be very popular today.

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The money line last night was back up to 123.8. I had a lineup at 125.5 thanks to Patrick Corbin and Danny Duffy along with Ryon Healy.

The winning lineup was up back over 200 after a couple days off at 214.6. He paid up for Chris Archer and stacked Angels and Yankees.

We will provide you with several options to build your lineup here. Want to spend all your money on pitchers and play bargain bats? We will highlight who is worth the money. Want to punt arms and pay up for the big boppers? We can help you with that as well, and everything in between!

For you first time players, if you would like a bonus of 25% of your first deposit, use this link for the referral bonus! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn those DraftKings dollars into more!

Next: DraftKings Pitcher Plays

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 02: Pitcher Matt Moore #45 of the San Francisco Giants leaves the field after the top of the third inning against the Oakland Athletics in an interleague game at AT&T Park on August 2, 2017 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

With only four pitchers going, the top tier consists of one. Dylan Bundy was solid against the A’s in Oakland in his last start. The ten strikeouts put his day over the top. Since the Orioles starting resting him more, his outings have been much, much better. Look for this to continue down the stretch. On a short slate, Bundy is an elite play against Oakland. A quality start and the potential for double digit strikeouts far outweighs anything else this afternoon.

Middle Tier:

The battle of the Matt’s by the Bay is only of note because this is a pitcher’s park. If this game were in Milwaukee, I would use both pitchers in the other game no matter who they were. However, Matt Moore‘s ERA is over two runs lower at home, but it is still disappointing at 4.61. However, he holds the (theoretical) platoon advantage over most of the Brewers’ power, and he calls a very spacious park home.

Bargain Pitchers:

Matt Garza is under no circumstances a bargain. If you must go to this level, just be aware that the Giants are hitting .365 off of him with as many runs scored as strikeouts. This isn’t the Giants totals from him all time. This is the cumulative total of the 25 man roster.

Sean Manaea may even be less of a risk than Garza, even in a hitter’s park on the road with a plethora of right handed power. The Orioles are 7-12 off of Manaea lifetime. In fact, the only current Oriole that he has retired is Tim Beckham, who just happens to be on a tear. Hey, it’s your entry fee, but I’m not touching this at all.

BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 22: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 22, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Manny Machado is hitting lefties hard this year with a .281 average, seven homers, and 21 RBI in 140 at bats. Sean Manaea has shown flashes of the brilliance that made him one of the top prospects for the Royals years ago, but not this year. He posts a 4.58 ERA and has allowed 11 homers in 12 road starts. A couple are going to leave the yard(s) today. Jonathan Schoop and Tim Beckham are worth paying up for as well if you can afford them.

Middle Tier:

I think Matt Moore could throw a baseball with both hands at the same time and Neil Walker would still find a way to hit both of them. He is hitting .500 as a Brewer so far. I don’t much care who is throwing to him right now. He is hitting almost everything. Walker has struck out just twice in nine games!

Travis Shaw gets a bit of a discount to $4,200 against a lefty in a pitcher’s park, but he is the only current Brewer to hit a homer off of Matt Moore. He also doesn’t struggle against lefties the way Eric Thames does.

I like Orlando Arcia and Jonathan Villar with the platoon advantage here. However, Matt Moore has actually been worse against lefties this year with a .378 average against. Even Eric Thames may be able to get a hold of one today.

If Buster Posey plays, play him. He is 3-7 lifetime against Matt Garza.

Bargain Shoppers:

Caleb Joseph is likely to start at catcher for the Orioles, and he is one of the better hitting backups around. The Brewers are too expensive, and Dustin Garneau hasn’t really panned out for Oakland yet. This isn’t a day for really cheap backup catchers, so Joseph is likely where you want to go.

I do like Dylan Bundy today, but even in that gem against Oakland his last time out, he gave up three runs. Matt Olson is cheap and does almost all of his damage against right handed pitching.

Next: Top Outfield Plays

BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 21: Jonathan Schoop #6 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with Adam Jones #10 and Manny Machado #13 after hitting a three-run home run in the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 21, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

People are going to pay an awful lot to see if Adam Jones can duplicate Monday’s performance against Wade Miley today against another struggling lefty. I wouldn’t rule it out. However, the Orioles are an expensive stack, and you may have to take an unsafe drop somewhere else to afford them.

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Middle Tier:

Matt Joyce has hit 17 of his 18 homers this year against right handed pitching. Even as well as Bundy has pitched lately, he has still allowed three homers in the last two games. Joyce isn’t as cheap as I had hoped, but he is still a decent play.

Ryan Braun at $4,300 is way too cheap against Matt Moore. For some perspective, that is the same price as Domingo Santana, who is hitting .139 over the last ten games and Mark Trumbo, who has yet to really get going. If you are looking for an outfielder at that price, it should be Braun.

Rajai Davis is mainly only a speed play right now, but Dylan Bundy has only allowed five stolen bases all season. It’s best to pay $100 less for masher Khris Davis and hope for the best if you are hung up on Oakland players.

Bargain Shoppers:

Denard Span is hitting .289 with a pair of homers, a pair of steals, and eight RBI in his last ten games. I definitely want him leading off against Garza!

Trey Mancini is a solid power play, but he actually hits for more power against righties. At any rate, he will have a crack at a few in the Oakland bullpen.

Hunter Pence is the only Giant to homer off of Matt Garza, and he is one of the cheapest ones that you can throw at him. I also like Jarrett Parker here as well.

Next: FanDuel MLB Picks and Pivots

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!