DraftKings MLB Picks May 8: Is Kluber worth the premium price?

OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 06: Flags representing the Oakland Athletics in the parking lot blow in the wind prior to the start of the game between the Texas Rangers and Athletics on Opening Day at O.co Coliseum on April 6, 2015 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

DraftKings MLB Picks May 8: Is Kluber worth the premium?

The Twins and Cardinals have a matinee game today, but the other 14 games are in the main DraftKings tournament. If you want the Twins and Cardinals, you have to play the showdown version. There are still a lot of good options out there with 28 pitchers going. Who should anchor our lineup?

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There is no rain in the forecast for any of the 14 games tonight, so that’s good news! The only wind is blowing in from right in Arlington and out to right once again in Oakland.

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 head to head contest ticket, 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

HOUSTON, TX – MAY 03: Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park on May 3, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Corey Kluber ($13,600): The Brewers are hitting a solid .264 off of Kluber, but only have one homer and four runs in 53 at bats with 12 strikeouts. Most of these stats have come from Lorenzo Cain, who was in his division for a few years. Kluber facing a N.L. lineup is worth investing in. He has posted a quality start every time he has taken the mound this season. Tonight should be no different.

Lance McCullers ($11,300): The A’s are only hitting .218 against McCullers in 55 at bats with just one homer and two runs to go with 15 strikeouts. This is a great situation for McCullers who has been really good this year aside from one start at Target Field. If you are moving off of Kluber, this is the place to go.

James Paxton ($11,000): Paxton has 26 strikeouts over his last two games, so that alone has his price jacked up. The Blue Jays are hitting a strong .293 off of Paxton in 58 at bats with a homer and six RBI with 12 strikeouts. Those are decent numbers, but his recent run means that Paxton could be worth the price tonight. Even though the Jays have hit him pretty well, they haven’t hit him that hard.

Middle Tier:

Sean Manaea ($9,500): Surprisingly, Manaea has held the potent Astros offense to a .211 average in 161 at bats, so it’s likely not a fluke at this point. He has only given up three homers and 11 runs in that span, but he also only has 39 at bats. Manaea is still a strong option that likely wont have high ownership, but the strikeouts may be a little low for our liking.

Yu Darvish ($9,100): The Marlins are hitting .238 against Darvish in 42 at bats, but they have managed to scrape together six runs despite the 14 strikeouts. At any rate, Darvish should be staked to an early lead with his offense facing Urena, so a win and a good number of strikeouts are likely for Yu tonight. UPDATE: Darvish has been placed on the DL – this will be a bullpen game for the Cubs.

Blake Snell ($8,900): Snell seems to have finally figured something out. He now has five straight quality starts. In fact, he hasn’t allowed more than two runs in any of them. The biggest difference is that Snell has only allowed two free passes in his last four games. Walks have been a problem for Snell throughout his career, so this is a welcome sight. We know that he has always put up good strikeout numbers. The Braves are a good team though, so I think I would rather use Newcomb for about the same price.

Sean Newcomb ($8,500): Newcomb has elevated strikeout potential against a free swinging Rays team. He has 15 strikeouts over the last two games anyway, and a 3.38 ERA on the season. Against an offense that sometimes has trouble putting up runs, especially against lefties, I like Newcomb quite a bit here.

Bargain Pitchers:

Dylan Bundy ($7,800): Bundy has given up 15 runs (12 earned) in his last two starts after a great early run. There is risk here, but the Royals aren’t very good hitters for the most part, and they are hitting just .107 in 28 career at bats against Bundy with just one run and six strikeouts. Bundy should be able to get back on track here.

Ivan Nova ($6,400): Nova was a disaster his last time out, but he was really good in the fours starts prior to that. His offense gets to take batting practice off of Lucas Giolito tonight. Giolito is showing signs of turning things around, but he still has a 7.03 ERA on the season, and hasn’t been able to put much of anything together. There is solid potential for Nova here.

Jeremy Hellickson ($6,000): The Padres are only hitting .222 against Hellickson in 36 at bats with one homer and four runs to go with ten strikeouts. Hellickson lacks any real upside, but he has not given up more than three runs in a start this year, and he is facing one of the worst offenses out there. If you need to save money, Hellickson is a pretty good low tier option.

Danny Duffy ($5,700): Duffy is not off to a good start this year, but neither are the Orioles. The O’s are only hitting .156 in 96 at bats against Duffy with only one homer and five RBI. with a staggering 36 strikeouts. You rarely get this kind of strikeout potential at this price. Duffy doesn’t have much of an offense backing him, but he is way too cheap given what he is capable of tonight.

CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 3: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs out an RBI double during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on May 3, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day in this makeup game from April 15. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Gary Sanchez is 7-18(.389) with a double, three homers, and six RBI in his career against Drew Pomeranz. Tyler Austin is cheap, and worth a look with a lefty on the mound.

Josh Donaldson is about the only Blue Jay I would trust against James Paxton. Donaldson is 6-15 with two doubles, a homer, three runs, and four RBI in his career against Paxton.

So much for the Reds struggling against lefties. They get veteran lefty Jason Vargas tonight, and I’m guessing they can put up a handful of runs off of him as well. Eugenio Suarez went deep last night. He is a good bet to do the same tonight.

The Cubs beat on Jarlin Garcia last night. They could do the same tonight against Jose Urena. They have 11 runs off of Urena in only 53 at bats. Anthony Rizzo is 3-8 with three walks, two doubles, a homer, two runs, and four RBI off of Urena already. Kris Bryant is just 1-7, but he has walked five times and scored three times.

I really like both Nolan Arenado and Ian Desmond with lefty Andrew Heaney taking the Coors Field mound tonight. I’m not all that crazy about anyone else, but I am open to using Story or Blackmon as well.

Wade Miley looked good in his return to the majors last week, but it’s one thing to pitch well against the Reds. It’s quite different against the other Ohio team. Edwin Encarnacion is 7-16(.438) with seven walks, two doubles, three homers, seven runs, and six RBI in his career against Wade Miley. Yan Gomes is 3-5 with a run and three RBI off of Miley already.

Joey Gallo is 2-6 in his career with two walks against Mike Fiers. Both of the hits are home runs, and he has driven in three.

Middle Tier:

How is Paul Goldschmidt only $4,400? He is 6-13(.462) with a homer and three RBI in his career against Rich Hill.

Mitch Moreland could be worth a look today against Luis Severino. Moreland is 4-12 with a walk, two doubles, a run, and three RBI against Severino so far.

Carlos Santana is 8-30(.267) with five walks, a double, two homers, three runs, and seven RBI in his career off of Derek Holland. With the lefty on the hill, Maikel Franco could be worth a look on the cheap as well.

Aaron Nola has not looked good against the Giants in his two career starts against them. Buster Posey is 3-4 with a walk, a double, a run, and two RBI off of Nola already. Brandon Belt is 2-3 with a double. They are both pretty affordable, and could get you some crooked numbers.

Luis Castillo has an awful 7.01 ERA on the season. Adrian Gonzalez was huge last night. It’s worth playing him to see if he can do it again. I like Todd Frazier here as well.

Albert Pujols is hitting .296 with 11 homers and 40 RBI in 41 career games at Coors Field. Like you needed another reason to use him.

Cody Bellinger is 4-13 a walk, a double, two runs, and a RBI off of Zack Godley so far. Yasmani Grandal is 4-14 with two doubles and two RBI so far.

If Ryan Zimmerman is back in the lineup, he is worth using. Zimmerman is 5-12 with two walks and a solo homer against Clayton Richard in his career.

Bargain Shoppers:

Danny Valencia is 4-15 with three walks, a homer, three runs, and two RBI in his career against Danny Duffy. Caleb Joseph is the only other Oriole that has managed to hit Duffy. If you take away these two, the rest of their teammates are 8-70(.114) against Duffy.

Travis Shaw is really cheap because he is facing Kluber tonight. Maybe he shouldn’t be. Shaw is 4-11 with a walk, a solo homer, and two runs against Kluber so far. Shaw is worth a look at this low of a price.

There isn’t any one Astro that has hit Manaea well enough to go all in on. However, Evan Gattis is 6-21(.286) with a homer and four RBI against Manaea. Only Yuli Gurriel has another average above. 250 against Manaea. That’s right…..not even Altuve or Correa have hit over .200 against Manaea.

Most Pirates are in play against Lucas Giolito. Josh Bell is cheap enough to fit in whatever lineup you are trying to build, so he is a solid play tonight.

Chase Headley is still starting at third, is still cheap, and has a homer and two RBI in his career against Jeremy Hellickson.

HOUSTON, TX – MAY 01: Didi Gregorius #18 of the New York Yankees doubles in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 1, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Trea Turner is definitely worth a look with lefty Clayton Richard on the mound for San Diego tonight. Wilmer Difo is a pretty good cheap option as well.

Despite not having the platoon advantage, Didi Gregorius is 8-21(.381) with two walks, a homer, four runs, and two RBI in his career against Drew Pomeranz.

Despite both Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor batting left handed, they have both hit Wade Miley well. Lindor is 4-9 with three walks, two doubles, a run, and a RBI off of Miley so far. Kipnis is 4-11 with a walk, a double, and a run.

Middle Tier:

Zack Cozart, Ian Kinsler, and Andrelton Simmons are all reasonably priced for having a game in Coors Field. Most of the Rockies are priced too high, but the Angels aside from Trout wont blow your entire budget.

Cesar Hernandez is worth a look leading off for a Phillies lineup that could put up a decent amount of runs on Derek Holland tonight.

Zack Godley was knocked around by the Dodgers his last time in Chavez Ravine even though he did pitch well against them in Phoenix last week. Chris Taylor is 5-14 with two homers and four RBI against Godley so far, and is reasonably priced.

Bargain Shoppers:

Alen Hanson, once a top prospect in the Pittsburgh organization, is off to a nice start to his career in San Francisco. He is worth a look at this bargain price, even against a pitcher like Nola.

If Aledmys Diaz is in the lineup, use him. Diaz is 2-3 with two doubles already in his career against James Paxton.

Next: Top Outfield Plays

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 05: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning of the Red Sox home opening game at Fenway Park on April 5, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Giancarlo Stanton is 2-4 with four walks, two doubles, a run, and a RBI so far against Drew Pomeranz. Even Brett Gardner has hit Pomeranz well. Gardner is 9-26(.346) with a walk, a double, a homer, four runs, and three RBI against Pomeranz. Aaron Judge is only 3-12 with no counting stats, but we know that could change quickly at Yankee Stadium.

Andrew Benintendi is 8-16 with two walks, two doubles, a triple, two homers, five runs, and nine RBI off of Luis Severino already. Severino has had success in the majors, but not against Boston. Mookie Betts is 6-19(.316) with three walks, three doubles, eight runs, and two RBI already against Severino.

Khris Davis is the only current Athletic to hit a homer against Lance McCullers. He is 3-12 with that solo homer and two runs scored. That’s still not enough for me to shell out $4,500 for though.

Rhys Hoskins has never faced Derek Holland, but something tells me that he will like facing the mostly soft tossing lefty, especially in Citizens Bank Park.

I like most of the Pirates outfield tonight. Corey Dickerson for sure. Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco fit nicely in a Pirates stack against Giolito.

Mike Trout is in Coors Field! I will say that again: MIKE TROUT IS IN COORS FIELD! Fade at your own risk. Justin Upton and Shohei Ohtani are good options too.

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Middle Tier:

I would stack Tigers against Mike Minor if this team had a pulse. Instead, I will use Nick Castellanos as a stand alone since he has homered against Minor in one of his two plate appearances. Leonys Martin is worth a look as well.

If Marcus Stroman does indeed have his slider working again, I’m not sure I want to throw any Mariners out there against him. Nelson Cruz is 4-9 with a run and a RBI against Stroman so far, to he is worth a look if nothing else.

Adam Duvall and Billy Hamilton are worth putting in your lineup tonight. We actually saw Hamilton hit a homer off of a lefty last night. If he is finally starting to heat up, Hamilton is one of my favorite cheaper plays.

Delino DeShields is only 1-4 against Mike Fiers, but the hit is a home run. He has also walked twice and stolen a base.

David Peralta is starting to heat up, and he is 3-11 with a triple, two runs, and a RBI off of Rich Hill so far. A.J. Pollock has two of the Diamondbacks’ three career homers against Hill, but those are his only two hits in 13 career at bats off of Hill.

Jay Bruce and Michael Conforto are both reasonably priced and both have good power. They are worth a look against a struggling Luis Castillo.

The other homer against Clayton Richard was not hit by Bryce Harper. It was hit by Michael Taylor, who is almost $2,000 cheaper than Harper.

Bargain Shoppers:

Ian Happ has struggled so much that he is priced down here. He hit a home run last night, so maybe he is busting out of his slump. He is also 4-8 with a walk, a double, two solo homers, and three runs against Jose Urena. Jason Heyward is worth a look as well. Heyward is 2-5 with a walk, a double, a homer, and three RBI.

Cheap may be the way to go in the Cleveland outfield tonight. Rajai Davis is 5-19(.263) with a walk, two homers, a steal, three runs, and five RBI against Wade Miley in his career. Brandon Guyer is only 4-18 against Miley, but he does have a homer off of him.

Derek Dietrich is really cheap, and he is 2-4 with a homer and four RBI off of Yu Darvish. He is worth a cheap dart throw tonight.

Next: DraftKings NBA 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!