Early DraftKings MLB Picks September 1: You Have To Pay For Carlos Carrasco

MIAMI, FL – JULY 27: Robert Stephenson #55 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on July 27, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Early MLB Picks For September 1

We only have two games in the early DraftKings tournament today, and the only reason we have that is because of the scheduled day-night twin bill between Detroit and Cleveland. Both games of that doubleheader are available in DraftKings today. The pickings are slim with only four teams, but there could be some bargains out there.

More from Fantasy

The money line yesterday was down some to 98.4 in the early tournament yesterday. The winning lineup was only at 163.6. He went with Greinke at home, and saved big with Robert Stephenson. His Arizona stack worked out well yesterday!

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

CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 16: Starting pitcher John Lackey #41 of the Chicago Cubs delivers the ball against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on August 16, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Carlos Carrasco is the ace on this short slate, and he should be. The Tigers are only hitting .235 against Carrasco with only one homer and eight runs in 170 at bats. He doesn’t have elite strikeout numbers, but this Tigers team is a bit watered down, especially now that Justin Upton is gone. Carrasco is worth the price today. You can find separation elsewhere.

Middle Tier:

There is plenty not to like about John Lackey. That 4.98 ERA is no accident. He has earned it. However, he faces a relatively weak Braves team, and his ERA Is nearly a run better at Wrigley. On such a shot slate, he is worth a look against the Braves, though I don’t know if I would fade Carrasco to do it. The Braves are hitting .258 against Lackey with three homers and 20 runs in 194 at bats. Those numbers are at least serviceable.

Bargain Pitchers:

Mike Foltynewicz has only faced four current Cubs. They are 1-9 off of him, with a three run shot by Rizzo being the only hit. It is worth noting that Foltynewicz has started a game at Wrigley in his career. It didn’t go so well. He gave up seven runs in 4.2 innings.

Matt Boyd actually has solid numbers against Cleveland. The Tribe are only hitting .236 with one homer and four runs in 55 at bats against Boyd. However, it’s tough to look past just how bad he has been in 2017, and he has virtually no chance at a win against Carrasco. One thing to note is that he is at least in Comerica Park, a pitcher’s park. The other game is at Wrigley.

CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 28: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs breaks his bat on a groundout against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning on August 28, 2017 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Anthony Rizzo hit that three run homer and a walk in three career at bats against Foltynewicz. That jacks his price up, but he may be worth it. Kris Bryant may be as well.

Surprisingly, Edwin Encarnacion and Carlos Santana have struggled against Matt Boyd so far. They are a combined 3-22 with only one RBI against him. I would look elsewhere to pick on Boyd.

Middle Tier:

Freddie Freeman has a walk and two doubles in nine career at bats against John Lackey. However, he does not have any counting stats. As stated above, I’m not a big Lackey fan today either. He isn’t going to pitch a shutout, so if you have the cap room for Freeman, he’s not a bad idea.

Bargain Shoppers:

Yan Gomes against Boyd is about as cheap as you can go at catcher today. However, for $1,000 more, I would strongly consider Alex Avila against Foltynewicz.

CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 25: Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians hits a two run home run during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on August 25, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Jose Ramirez has done better off of Matt Boyd than any of his teammates have, but that isn’t saying much. Ramirez is only 1-5, but he has two walks, a triple, two runs scored, and three RBI. You have to start somewhere. Francisco Lindor may be another place. He is 5-9 with a double and a run scored.

I like Ian Happ against Foltynewicz here, though I’m not crazy about the price.

Middle Tier:

Javier Baez and Ben Zobrist on the other hand look solid for that price. Especially Baez. What are the chances that Happ out-produces Baez by more than $1,200 worth?

Bargain Shoppers:

Jose Iglesias is dirt cheap against Carlos Carrasco, but he is a solid 7-22(.318) with two walks, four doubles, a stolen base, and a run scored against him. He is a solid punt play at a pretty weak position if you aren’t paying for top billing.

Ozzie Albies is hitting .385 with four RBI and a steal in his last ten games. He wont give you much for power potential, but he could be on base a few times against John Lackey. Teammate Dansby Swanson also falls in this tier. He is hitting .400 with four RBI as well over his last ten games. The average is up and the strikeouts are down. Swanson may finally be getting comfortable!

Next: Top Outfield Plays

PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 30: Ender Inciarte #11 of the Atlanta Braves hits an RBI single in the top of the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game two of the doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park on August 30, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Kyle Schwarber is an expensive one-trick pony, but considering that Foltynewicz was thrashed in his only career start at Wrigley, stacking Cubs could be a fruitful endeavor. I am all over Jon Jay leading off at that low of a price!

Yes, Jay Bruce still bats left handed. Yes, he has hit a homer off of fellow lefty Matt Boyd in his career. I also like Austin Jackson and Brandon Guyer here. The will almost certainly play against the lefty today, as will Yandy Diaz.

More from FanSided

Middle Tier:

You really can’t go wrong with Ender Inciarte lately. He is hitting .444 with two steals and seven RBI in his last ten games.

Bargain Shoppers:

Nick Markakis is a frequent flier in this tier because he always finds some way to produce something, and usually cheap. He is 24-72(.333) with ten walks, six doubles, a triple, a homer, 12 runs scored, and seven RBI in his career against John Lackey. He is as strong a punt as you will find on this abbreviated slate.

Detroit will have to go with a cheap outfielder to replace Justin Upton. While they may not be much of a play in the first game, later today they could be a great bargain. Especially if it happens to be Alex Presley or Tyler Collins.

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!

Home/Fantasy