DraftKings MLB Picks June 1: Strasburg is worth the price

BOSTON, MA – MAY 15: The sun sets over Fenway Park during a rain delay before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics on May 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

DraftKings MLB Picks June 1: Strasburg is worth the price.

We have a full 15 game slate tonight, but there isn’t the wealth of pitching that you would expect. Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of places to blow your $50k, but you may be getting less bang for your buck tonight unless you know where to look. Let’s find a place to build here!

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They are going to be dodging showers in Baltimore and Atlanta again tonight, but unlike last night, both games should be played.

The wind will be blowing out at 16 mph to right at Coors. Watch for more homers than usual! There is a 12 mph wind blowing out to left in Kansas City. There is also a brisk 15 mph wind blowing out to right in Chicago. Don’t expect the fireworks of last night since the wind will be blowing in at 13 mph from center at Target Field. The wind is also blowing out to right at 13 mph in Detroit.

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 $10 showdown ticket for MLB or the NBA, 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

ST PETERSBURG, FL – MAY 22: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on May 22, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Stephen Strasburg ($12,100): It’s no secret that the Braves have hit Strasburg well over his career, but how many of you know that he has a 2.45 career ERA at SunTrust Park compared with 4.37 at Turner Field. That tells us that despite the less than flattering numbers over the course of his career, Strasburg has figured these guys out over the last few years. Case in point: Strasburg dominated the Braves earlier this year with just three hits in eight shutout innings en route to 35 DraftKings points. I’ll take that! That even makes Strasburg’s price look low!

Chris Sale ($11,000): Sale has held the Astros to a .233 average in 73 at bats with two homers, four runs, and 18 strikeouts. The name Houston will have plenty abandoning ship with Sale, but the numbers say that Sale can still put up good numbers against these guys. I like Sale mostly because the ownership will likely be low since Strasburg and Carrasco look like better options. I think Sale gets around their numbers with very low ownership.

Carlos Carrasco ($10,700): The Twins are only hitting .214 against Carrasco, but they do have five homers and nine runs in 112 at bats. The 35 strikeouts in that span are a high number, so even if Carrasco surrenders a long ball or three, he will make up those points in a hurry. He has a legitimate chance at double digit strikeouts here. I expect a quality start at the very least from Carrasco tonight.

Nick Pivetta ($10,000): Pivetta dominated the Giants earlier this season, racking up 26.9 DraftKings points in that one. He only allowed four baserunners in five shutout innings with seven strikeouts. This Giants offense isn’t any better than it was then. There is a lot of potential for Pivetta tonight.

Middle Tier:

Jaime Barria ($9,300): Barria put up a solid 16.3 DraftKings points in Texas in his debut back on April 11th. Barria gave up only one run in five innings in that one. Since that game, Barria has continued to put up good numbers, but not a lot of strikeouts. For that reason, I think he’s overpriced. Barris is going to have a pretty good night, but the lack of strikeout potential and the increased price leaves him with a limited ceiling.

Jose Berrios ($9,100): Berrios is back on track after a rough stretch in the beginning of May. I know that Cleveland has a solid offense, but take a look at these numbers. The Indians are hitting just .151 against Berrios in 73 at bats with only three runs, 11 strikeouts, and a .178 SLG. How about a .351 OPS and a .027 ISO to go with it. Cleveland has yet to figure out Berrios. When you factor in the part that Berrios still has a sub 3 ERA at home, there is very good potential here.

Miles Mikolas ($8,700): This is another situation where some will overlook Mikolas because he only picked up 11.9 DraftKings points against Pittsburgh last week. However, Mikolas still only allowed six baserunners in that game and has not allowed a homer over his last three starts. When you add into that the fact that Mikolas has a 1.53 ERA in four home starts, there is a lot of potential here.

Mike Foltynewicz ($8,400): Folty has been solid against Washington this year, picking up 34.8 DraftKings points against them over two starts. I do feel his price is a little inflated, especially considering that his ERA is a run and a half higher at home. Still, there is good strikeout potential here, but I doubt Foltynewicz outduels Strasburg.

Bargain Pitchers:

Frankie Montas ($7,100): Montas looked good in his first major league start in 2018, allowing just one run in six innings to Arizona. Now he gets a weak Royals offense (unless they are playing the Twins) that has an OPS below .700 against right handed pitching. Montas should turn in another quality start with a handful of strikeouts here.

Chase Anderson ($6,500): There is risk involved since Anderson is facing a DH here, but his numbers are far better on the road than at home. Anderson has put up a 2.19 ERA in four road starts, and though Chicago has power, they do strike out a lot and have trouble putting together big innings. If we can get a quality start for this price, I don’t think any of us will complain. Anderson looks like he can get that here.

Elieser Hernandez ($4,700): Hernandez has posted a 2.50 ERA through his first three starts, but he doesn’t get much for DraftKings points since he doesn’t go deep into games or rack up strikeouts. Hernandez has just eight strikeouts in 15 innings as a starter. He has gone exactly five innings in every start. Hernandez probably wont hurt you, but he lacks the upside to make him a truly great play.

ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 03: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels talks to Albert Pujols #5 after scoring a run for to take a 2-0 over the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Angel Stadium on May 3, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers vs. Jaime Garcia:

The Tigers beat up a pretty good lefty in Andrew Heaney yesterday, so maybe this lineup is starting to come around. The little experience that they do have against Garcia is very good. I like Castellanos, Jose Iglesias, James McCann, and JaCoby Jones for a cheap stack. John Hicks is worth a look for his power potential as well.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Hector Santiago:

The Beermakers are hitting .288 with ten runs in only 52 at bats against Santiago. Domingo Santana and Hernan Perez are the only two that have homered, but Cain has five RBI, and Yelich hits lefties well enough to take a look. I like Jesus Aguilar as well since he hits lefties well.

Oakland Athletics vs. Ian Kennedy:

Ian Kennedy’s numbers against Oakland aren’t terrible, but his 2018 numbers are. Khris Davis and Lucroy are the only ones to homer off of Kennedy so far, but with all of the lefties in this lineup, a stack could be in order. Matt Joyce and Matt Olson are both lefties and cheap. Jed Lowrie is worth a look here as well.

Colorado Rockies vs. Alex Wood:

There is a reason Wood is so cheap tonight. Don’t be hornswaggled into using him for that price. Colorado is hitting .295 off of him in 95 at bats with five homers and 19 runs. The strikeouts that Wood comes up with wont offset the damage the Rockies to with their bats. Both Ian Desmond and Nolan Arenado have homered twice off of Wood. Trevor Story has the other homer. Charlie Blackmon is 7-16 with five RBI despite not having a homer. Iannetta could be a solid play as well.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Tyler Anderson:

It has been a trying season for Anderson so far. Bellinger, Justin Turner, and Kike have all hit homers against Anderson in their careers. Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp are worth a look with a lefty on the mound at Coors. So is Chris Taylor. There is plenty of right handed power in this lineup to find a suitable stack.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Bartolo Colon:

Colon has been good against most teams in his career, but the Angels are not one of them. The Halos are hitting .362 against Colon in 130 at bats with nine homers and 24 runs with just 17 strikeouts. Both Trout and Pujols have three homers each against Colon. Trout is an impressive 10-18! Luis Valbuena has two homers and three RBI in just seven at bats. Upton is the only other homer, but Andrelton Simmons is 12-26(.462) with two doubles, a triple, and five RBI off of Colon.

Seattle Mariners vs. Sergio Romo and friends:

Romo will pitch to the first 3-5 batters. After that, it’s the bullpen. Yarbrough turned in most of the innings last night, so Stanek could end up pitching in the middle tonight. It doesn’t really matter though. That Seattle offense is going to have some fun against the Rays. Dee Gordon, the Boomstick, Haniger, Segura, and Kyle Seager will make up my stack. Who’s in yours?

San Diego Padres vs. Tyler Mahle:

The Padres are finally starting to get healthy. There are some strong stack options here. I like Jose Pirela leading off with Hosmer batting second. The power potential of Renfroe and Franmil Reyes is worth a look here as well. For a cheaper part of the stack, try Spangenberg or Freddy Galvis.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Andrew Lockett:

Lockett will make his major league debut tonight, but there isn’t a lot to get excited about here. Lockett has a 5.31 ERA at AAA El Paso this year, and a 4.14 career minor league ERA. I like Votto and Suarez a lot tonight. If you are continuing the stack, Scooter Gennett, Billy Hamilton, Scott Schebler, and Jose Peraza are all worth a look.

Next: Other Notes for 6-1

CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 26: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros hits a two run home run during the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on May 26, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio.(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

I would stack Yankees against Kevin Gausman, but most of the damage has been done by two players. Aaron Judge is 7-14 with three homers and six RBI off of Gausman. Brett Gardner is 14-42 with a homer, two steals, nine runs, and two RBI. Gary Sanchez has also hit a homer off of Gausman.

Jose Altuve is not known for his power, but he has hit a homer off of Chris Sale. Evan Gattis is the only other Houston player to do so.

Gerrit Cole has been dominant this year, but his numbers against the Red Sox are not great. I would rather go with another top tier pitcher and use Bentendi and maybe J.D. Martinez here. However, I don’t really like the price on either of them. Benintendi is the only Boston player to homer against Cole so far though.

Francisco Lindor is the only Cleveland player that has even partially figured out Berrios. Lindor is 3-12 with two RBI off of him. That’s as good as it gets for Cleveland tonight.

Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Anthony Rendon have all homered off of Mike Foltynewicz before. Don’t be surprised if at least one of them does it again tonight.

There is only one Braves player that I am willing to throw out there against Strasburg at the price. Freddie Freeman. Freeman is 15-42(.357) with seven walks, four doubles, four homers, 11 runs, and 13 RBI in his career against Strasburg. The Rest of his teammates have two homers and 121 RBI in 94 at bats.

The Arizona offense is starting to wake up, and we must wonder how long Elieser Hernandez can keep getting by without racking up strikeouts. I like Goldy here for sure. Jake Lamb and Descalso are worth a look as well.

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Middle Tier:

Tanaka has been decent enough against Baltimore that I’m not going with a full stack against him, but there are still some Orioles worth using. Adam Jones is 9-24(.375) with two homers and six RBI. Jonathan Schoop is even cheaper, and he has three homers and six RBI off of Tanaka. Trey Mancini is 3-9 with a solo homer. Both Chris Davis and Manny Machado have taken Tanaka deep as well, but they aren’t going anything else.

Brian Dozier is only 6-29(.207) off of Carlos Carrasco, but he has three homers and seven RBI off of him. both Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler have homered off of Carrasco as well.

I do like Moose with a young righty on the mound. Alex Gordon is worth a look too if you need a really cheap bat.

The Cardinals destroyed Williams last night, and the stats say they could tag Taillon in the same way. Taillon’s numbers against St Louis aren’t very good. Jose Martinez, Jedd Gyorko, and Matt Carpenter have all taken Taillon deep in their careers. Tommy Pham is worth a look as well.

There isn’t anyone that I view as a must play against Chase Anderson, but having a couple of Sox in there just in case he has a meltdown isn’t a bad idea. Abreu, Tim Anderson, and Moncada are my favorites.

For some reason, Tyler Chatwood has struggled against the Mets. A big part of that is Jay Bruce. Bruce is 4-9 with two homers and four RBI off of Chatwood. Asdrubal Cabrera is 4-13 with a solo homer and four runs. AGon is 7-24 with a homer, five runs, and two RBI off of Chatwood.

I don’t like the Rays enough to stack them, but this lineup could do some damage against Mike Leake. Wilson Ramos has homered off of him twice already. Carlos Gomez is 7-18 with three RBI and two steals. I also like Cron, Mallex Smith, and Brad Miller here if you elect to stack cheap Rays.

Bargain Shoppers:

Blaine Hardy has been good enough that I’m not going to stack against him, but Kendrys Morales is 3-9 with a homer and five RBI off of him already. Donaldson, Pillar, and Teoscar Hernandez are worth a look as well.

Zach Wheeler has struggled against the Cubs and has struggled at home. Jason Heyward is 8-21(.381) with two homers and three RBI against Wheeler already, and JHey was batting second last night. Ian Happ‘s only hit against Wheeler in two at bats is a grand slam. Rizzo has also homered against Wheeler, but it is his only hit in six at bats.

I really like Sean Rodriguez on the cheap here tonight if he is in the starting lineup. He is 1-3 with a two run homer against Miles Mikolas so far.

I’m not all that sure about a Phillies stack since Stratton is pitching pretty well at home, but Maikel Franco has homered off of him before and Carlos Santana has three RBI in three at bats.

I don’t trust Buchholz and I don’t trust the Marlins, so we are at an impasse here. I will sprinkle in Bour and Starlin Castro in a couple of lineups and call it good.

Next: Three Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers to Pick Up Now

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball, along with our PGA picks. We will also have some EPL from across the pond as well! Now that June is here, Fantasy CPR is expanding our scope to include a bunch of advice for season-long leagues as well. We will still have all of the DFS content that we normally have, but we will cater to those of us that also play season long leagues as well!