DraftKings Main MLB Picks May 2: Strasburg can put up huge numbers

MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 18: A general view of the park with the roof open as the Atlanta Braves prepare against the Miami Marlins by taking batting practice at Marlins Park on September 18, 2012 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Main MLB Picks May 2: Strasburg can put up huge numbers

We have a pretty even split on getaway day today. All 15 games are available in the classic tournaments, which is a nice change from most of the season. Eight games are in the main DraftKings tournament, which makes it slightly larger than the early one. There aren’t as many star pitchers, but the middle is more solid than earlier today. Who can we use?

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The only chance of rain is in Miami where the roof is expected to be closed. Wind could be a factor though. It will be blowing out to dead center at about 15 mph in Houston. There is a 12 mph wind blowing out to right in Cincy, which could neutralize Miley. There is also a 15 mph wind blowing out to right at Citi Field.

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!

These tips are based mostly on past performance. This is a nice tool for building a lineup, but should not be the only pieces of information you use. Stacking against a bad pitcher is always a good idea!

For you first time players, if you would like a free $20 in DraftKings dollars, use this link for the referral bonus with your first deposit of $5 or more! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn those DraftKings dollars into more!

Next: DraftKings Pitcher Plays

SAN DIEGO, CA – APRIL 27: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on April 27, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Jacob deGrom ($11,500): The Braves are hitting a solid .241 against deGrom in 108 at bats, but they only have three homers, seven runs, and 30 strikeouts. Those are really good numbers. Still, I think the ownership will be lower on deGrom than Strasburg due to the dominance of Strasburg against Pittsburgh.

Stephen Strasburg ($10,800): Strasburg has dominated the Pirates in his career. The current Pirates are only hitting .183 against Strasburg in 60 at bats with just one homer and four runs to go with 16 strikeouts. Even though the strikeout total isn’t as high as you would like, Strasburg has a great chance at a win here against Nova. He is also off to a strong start this year.

Aaron Nola ($9,900): The Marlins are only hitting .222 against Nola in 63 at bats with no homers, six runs, and 13 strikeouts. I’m a little apprehensive paying so much for a pitcher than doesn’t notch a lot of strikeouts, but Nola doesn’t give up much to Miami. That said, the Marlins have hit pretty well lately. There is some risk involved.

Middle Tier:

Sean Newcomb ($7,600): Newcomb doesn’t have flashy numbers, but the Mets only have four runs off of him in 57 at bats despite the solid .246 average and have not hit a home run. Also, Newcomb struck out 15 of those 57, which is a pretty high rate in this price range.

Dallas Keuchel ($7,000): We saw Verlander’s price down because he was facing the Yankees last night, and he ended up turning in the best performance of the evening. That could happen with Keuchel tonight as well. The Yankees are hitting just .170 against Keuchel in 47 at bats with only one homer and two runs to go with 11 strikeouts. The low strikeout total is concerning because Keuchel wont be able to salvage a bad outing with K’s, but there is potential here.

Bargain Pitchers:

Luis Castillo ($5,300): Castillo hasn’t been the model of consistency so far, but he has locked down the Brewers. The current Milwaukee squad is hitting just .179 against Castillo in 56 at bats with just one solo homer to show for it with a whopping 20 strikeouts. There is huge potential here for Castillo tonight.

Wade Miley ($4,900): Miley will make his 2018 debut against a team that is only hitting .194 off of him in 26 at bats with two homers, but only three runs, to go with 12 strikeouts. Still not enough to convince you? Miley is 3-0 with a 2.73 ERA in four career starts at Great American Ballpark. This ballpark isn’t as kind to right handed power. There is risk here as there always is with Miley, but you couldn’t ask for a much better place for him to make his season debut.

PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 21: Paul Goldschmidt #44 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits an RBI triple during the seventh inning of the MLB game against the San Diego Padres at Chase Field on April 21, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Arizona Diamondbacks won 6-2. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Joey Votto is 4-9 with a double, a homer, and two RBI in his career against Wade Miley. Splits don’t matter much to Votto. He hits anyone, and is riding a hot streak right now.

Hyun-Jin Ryu is overpriced tonight considering the Diamondbacks have lit him up for 14 runs in just 68 at bats. Paul Goldschmidt is at the heart of this, going 10-22(.455) with three walks, three doubles, two homers, four runs, and seven RBI against Ryu.

Middle Tier:

You wont find Freddie Freeman in this tier very often, but he is 8-31(.258) with two walks, two doubles, two homers, three runs, and three RBI in his career against Jacob deGrom. Freeman could be worth a look at a depressed price tonight.

Mike Zunino is a bit expensive tonight, but all Mariner righties are worth stacking against Brett Anderson. The veteran lefty has a nice 1.89 ERA at AAA Nashville this year, but had a 6.34 ERA last season.

Bargain Shoppers:

The Astros have hit Luis Severino hard so far. It starts with Yuli Gurriel, who is 4-5 with a double and two runs in his career against Severino. Marwin Gonzalez is 2-5 with a walk, a homer, and three RBI. He is also eligible in the outfield, which wont clog up the 1B slot.

Matt Wieters has destroyed Ivan Nova from their time together in the A.L. East. Wieters is 13-39 with seven walks, three doubles, four homers, six runs, and seven RBI off of Nova in his career, and comes pretty cheap even for a catcher.

I don’t really trust James Paxton tonight, and Jonathan Lucroy is a pretty big reason why. Lucroy is 5-11 with a homer and four RBI in his career against Paxton.

If Caleb Joseph draws the start, he could be worth a look despite his early struggles this year. Joseph is 1-2 with a solo homer against Heaney. Mark Trumbo is only 2-8 against Heaney, but he has hit a homer off of him.

Wilmer Flores is 4-6 with a run and a RBI off of Sean Newcomb so far, but I’m not sure you want to waste 1B on Flores tonight.

DETROIT, MI – APRIL 18: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles hits an hits an RBI single in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers during a MLB game at Comerica Park on April 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Orioles 6-2. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Carlos Correa is 3-4 with two walks, two doubles, a run, and three RBI so far against Luis Severino. Jose Altuve hasn’t fared so well. He is just 1-6 against Severino.

Manny Machado has destroyed Andrew Heaney so far. Machado is 3-6 with two homers and three RBI against Heaney already.

Middle Tier:

Cesar Hernandez is 3-11 with two runs scored and a RBI so far against Jose Urena. There is potential for the Phillies lineup tonight, so taking the leadoff hitter may not be a bad idea.

Marcus Semien is only 2-9 against James Paxton, but he does have a homer and three RBI against Paxton.

Bargain Shoppers:

Dansby Swanson is 2-6 with three walks, a steal, and two runs in his career against Jacob deGrom. He is worth a look if you need to save money at SS.

Orlando Arcia is struggling so far in 2018, but he is 4-8 with a run scored against Luis Castillo. The rest of the team is 6-48(.125).

Ketel Marte is another cheap option. He is 3-6 with a walk, two triples, a run, and a RBI in his career against Hyun-Jin Ryu.

Miguel Rojas is really cheap, and he is 2-5 with a walk, two runs, and two RBI against Aaron Nola already.

Next: Top Outfield Plays

PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 18: A.J. Pollock #11 of the Arizona Diamondbacks bats against the San Francisco Giants during the MLB game at Chase Field on April 18, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Bryce Harper is 2-6 with a double and two RBI so far against Ivan Nova. Howie Kendrick is also worth a look. Kendrick is 4-12 with a double, a triple, and a RBI off of Nova.

A.J. Pollock is 9-26(.346) with four walks, two doubles, a triple, five runs, and four RBI in his career against Hyun-Jin Ryu.

Mike Trout is in play again tonight. Trout is 3-4 with a double, a solo homer, a steal, and three runs in his career against Dylan Bundy. If Chris Young is in the lineup, he is a really good punt play. Young is 2-4 with two walks and two runs against Bundy.

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Middle Tier:

Zack Godley hasn’t fared much better than Ryu has against each other’s teams. The Dodgers have 14 runs in 74 at bats against Godley, but much of the damage was done by the outfielders. Matt Kemp is 3-14 with four walks, a double, a homer, five runs, and four RBI. Chris Taylor, who is unfortunately no longer eligible at 2B, is 5-13 with two homers and four RBI against Godley.

Nelson Cruz is almost a must play against Brett Anderson. Mitch Haniger is on my radar as well.

Starling Marte is about the only Pirate that has managed to hit Stephen Strasburg well. Marte is 5-15 with a double, a homer, a steal, three runs, and two RBI in his career against Strasburg. Corey Dickerson is 2-6 with a walk, two doubles, a run, and a RBI, and comes pretty cheap.

Adam Duvall is off to a cold start, and is only 1-6 lifetime against Wade Miley. However, that hit is a home run.

Odubel Herrera is 4-8 with a double, a triple, five runs, and a RBI against Jose Urena so far. The Marlins held the Phillies in check last night, but this is an offense capable of putting up some pretty big numbers. Nick Williams is only 1-5 in his career against Jose Urena, but the hit is a solo homer.

Bargain Shoppers:

Nick Markakis is 7-2(.280) with a walk, a homer, two runs, and three RBI in his career against Jacob deGrom.

Jake Smolinski could be a nice punt play tonight. Smolinski is 4-7 with a homer and two RBI in his career against James Paxton. Khris Davis is only 2-9 against Paxton, but he has a homer and two RBI. Stephen Piscotty is 1-2 with a walk, a double, a run, and a RBI against Paxton.

Next: Early Slate DraftKings MLB Picks

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball, along with our PGA picks. Still in NBA mode? No worries, we have the NBA DFS covered for the playoffs as well!