Early DraftKings MLB Picks August 24: Is Robbie Ray Worth The Inflation?

PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 23: Rich Hill #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on August 23, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Early MLB Picks For August 24

We have five games in the early DraftKings tournament, which leaves it a little more populated than normal. However, there is only one pitcher priced above $10,000 and few stacking options. Let’s see if we can find a bargain to go with Ray today.

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The money line last night was up over 130 for just the second time since the break at 130.5. My Yankees/Phillies stack made it in even though Andrew Cashner and Marcus Stroman failed.

The winning lineup was up a ways to 232.9. He got a complete game from Rich Hill and an absolute gem from Luke Weaver to go with his Yankees stack.

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

HOUSTON, TX – MAY 22: Michael Fulmer #32 of the Detroit Tigers pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 22, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Robbie Ray is a staggering $2,800 more than J.A. Happ today. Don’t worry too much about the price. The Mets have been bad since taking a wrecking ball to their offense. Lefty Patrick Corbin dominated them in the opening game of this series. Ray likely will as well. You need a microscope to see his road ERA (1.47 in ten starts).

There are a number of reasons why I wouldn’t play J.A. Happ over Ray today despite the huge price difference. First and foremost is his 6.27 career ERA at Tropicana Field in eight games. Yes, the Rays have had trouble with lefties, and yes, they are going to strike out a lot. It wont matter if Happ lives up to his ERA at the Trop. There is too much more risk here to use him over Ray. I much prefer the pitcher starting against him.

Middle Tier:

Alex Cobb is starting opposite Happ. Unlike Happ, he has a 3.14 career ERA at Tropicana Field in 55 starts. He has been even better this year with a 2.49 ERA at home. Cobb wont wow anyone with strikeouts, but he gave up just two runs in eight innings to the Jays earlier this year. Cobb looks much safer than Happ on paper even though the Toronto offense is better.

Michael Fulmer was outstanding against the Dodgers in his return from the DL over of the weekend. That should alleviate any concerns you have about starting him against the Yankees. The Bombers are less so on the road, and Fulmer has a 3.38 ERA in 12 home starts. He also has more strikeout upside than Cobb does. Fulmer is a suitable substitute for Cobb. You can play both if you feel you can make up for what Ray will do to the Mets with bats.

Jerad Eickhoff has been solid lately, but he got thumped by the Marlins earlier this year. He will provide enough strikeouts that he wont hurt you that badly, but he can also put you in a precarious situation if Fulmer and Cobb both have big games.

I’m a big fan of German Marquez away from Coors Field. The rookie has a 3.95 road ERA this year, and is striking out more than a batter per inning away from Denver. The Royals don’t strike out a lot, but they don’t have a lot of power either. He also has a great shot at a win against Jake Junis.

Bargain Pitchers:

Using a pitcher against the Rockies away from Coors is usually not a bad idea. Jake Junis got mauled by Cleveland in his last start, but the Rockies away from Coors are more like the Seattle team that he stifled on August 6th. There is upside here, but there is also significant risk involved.

Vanimal is back in Philly! It may not be a good homecoming for Vance Worley though. He has a 3.08 ERA in five starts this year, but the current Phillies are hitting .526 against him in 19 at bats. Worley does have a career 3.71 ERA in 31 games at Citizens Bank Park. Can he pitch well here again?

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 05: Eric Hosmer #35 and Mike Moustakas #8 of the Kansas City Royals pose with their World Series Championship rings after a ring ceremony prior to the game between the Royals and the New York Mets at Kauffman Stadium on April 5, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Paul Goldschmidt is one of the best money can buy. Rafael Montero has a 5.89 ERA at home this year. While Montero has been solid lately, the Diamondbacks are a very good offense. Of course, that means Jake Lamb is on my radar again as well.

I’m never going to not recommend Nolan Arenado. Especially when he is facing a pitcher that didn’t make it out of the third inning in his last start.

Middle Tier:

Even though I do like German Marquez on the road, he isn’t going to pitch a shutout. I like both Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas with the platoon advantage here. They will save you money over the big hitters at the position, and can save you money for pitching. And they have the advantage of low ownership due to all of the big names and potential bargains at these positions.

All right handed bats are in play against Jaime Garcia. Nick Castellanos is a little on the higher end, but Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez both come really cheap.

Bargain Shoppers:

Vanimal’s return to Philly makes for a nice story, but I don’t trust him or the stats the Phillies have against him. Maikel Franco has two RBI off of him in two at bats. Rhys Hoskins is still one of the cheapest power bats around without the low average or high price to go with it. Whomever starts at catcher is not a bad idea either. The Phillies still come cheap. You are able to stack them and still buy Ray.

Wilmer Flores at least deserves a mention just because of how well he has done against lefties. He gets one of the better ones around today, but he marks a great way to save money, and you just might get lucky.

Evan Longoria is the eight lowest priced third baseman today. He is also 11-31(.355) with three walks, three doubles, a homer, five runs scored, and three RBI in his career against J.A. Happ. Given Happs’ struggles at the Trop, don’t be surprised if Longoria improves on these numbers.

With the day games, we are looking for the backup catcher most likely to start. That would be Jesus Sucre, and he has a nice matchup with Happ. Jorge Alfaro has some upside in Philly for cheap. And of course, James McCann or John Hicks are acceptable plays against Jaime Garcia in Detroit.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 23: (L-R) Cesar Hernandez #16, Freddy Galvis #13 and Peter Bourjos #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate a win of the game against the Minnesota Twins on June 23, 2016 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Phillies defeated the Twins 7-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

You can go cheap at middle infield today since the highest priced player is $4,200. I prefer Dee Gordon over Gregorius at Comerica Park, but I really like Ian Kinsler against Jaime Garcia. The Tigers are loaded with righties even with J.D. Martinez gone.

Middle Tier:

Once again, Cesar Hernandez and Freddy Galvis are very reasonably priced. The Phillies offense is nowhere near as bad as it was early on. Both Hernandez and Galvis bat in the top part of the order.

Bargain Shoppers:

Amed Rosario has also shown an ability to hit lefties. He will have a tough time with Robbie Ray, but is a suitable punt if you need the cash.

Jose Iglesias isn’t really known for offense, but he is a solid hitter with a little bit of power. Jaime Garcia has struggled since he was traded (again). Iglesias provides cheap exposure with decent upside even if he is batting in the bottom of the order.

Pedro Florimon has hit .364 since his return to the major leagues. He bats in the bottom of the order and has little power or speed, but he is also dirt cheap and has picked up DraftKings points in every game he has played in.

Next: Top Outfield Plays

PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 22: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins jogs off the field at the end of the seventh inning during game two of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 22, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Marlins won 7-4. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Giancarlo Stanton is obviously the target here since he is still in a hitter’s park. If you want one marquee bat in your lineup, Christian Yelich is a solid play as well. I can’t argue with Stanton. However, Charlie Blackmon could go mostly unnoticed against Jake Junis and could be in for a nice game even away from Denver.

I wouldn’t pay up for Judge against Fulmer on the road, but J.D. Martinez against Rafael Montero and Justin Upton against Garcia are very good options. Upton is the only current Tiger who has faced Garcia. He has a homer and two RBI against him.

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Middle Tier:

David Peralta is way, way too cheap at $3,800. He hits leadoff against righties, and though Rafael Montero has done well lately, I think he has a hiccup in Queens today. Peralta will get it started.

Steven Souza is 6-14(.429) with a walk, two doubles, a homer, and two RBI in his career against J.A. Happ. The Rays don’t have a lot of righties, but the ones they do could do some damage today.

Bargain Shoppers:

Mikie Mahtook has been solid since Martinez was traded. It could be time to take notice here against Jaime Garcia. He has solid power, and is a suitable outfield punt.

Nick Williams for only $3,400 against Vanimal? Absolutely! Count me in!

Next: Main Slate DraftKings MLB 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!