DraftKings MLB Picks July 6: Is Sale worth the high price?

CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 25: Cleveland Indians fans hold flags after the Cleveland Indians defeated the Chicago Cubs 6-0 in Game One of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field on October 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

DraftKings MLB Picks July 6: Is Sale worth the high price?

We have 14 games in the main DraftKings tournament today. The Reds and Cubs have a matinee at Wrigley with the wind blowing in, so if you play that showdown tournament, make sure you pick accordingly. There is a ton of top pitching options tonight. Who are the better bets? Who should we steer away from? Let’s check it out!

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There is no rain for tonight, but we have a 12 mph wind blowing out to right in Pittsburgh and Detroit. We have winds between 14 and 16 mph blowing in from center in Toronto and Cleveland. There is a 12 mph wind blowing in from left in Citi Field. We also have the customary wind out to center in the Bay Area.

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. We have plenty of writers on here who give you relevant information no matter which site you play on!

For you first time players, if you would like $20 in free 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

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 30: Starting pitcher Kenta Maeda #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during the first inning against Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on June 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Chris Sale ($14,000): Sale’s career numbers against the Royals aren’t very good, but they are great since he moved out of the AL Central. Sale held the Royals to one earned run in seven innings with six strikeouts for 20.4 DraftKings points earlier this year. As bad as the Royals offense has been this year, I am expecting even better from Sale tonight. He has rung up 71 Royals in 273 at bats and only allowed 13 runs.

Carlos Carrasco ($10,800): Carrasco is making his first start off the DL, which is usually a place where I avoid players, especially pitchers. However, Carrasco only missed three starts, and he is facing a team that he has completely dominated. The A’s are hitting just .075(4-53) with two runs and 25 strikeouts. That is total domination. Speaking of domination, Carrasco did just that in his rehab start at AA Akron.

Kenta Maeda ($10,000): My gripe with Maeda is the same as with Foltynewicz. Neither goes deep into games. However, Maeda has pitched seven innings in each of his last two starts. The Angels are just 3-28(.107) with ten strikeouts. However, they do have three runs. If Maeda struggles, he could get pounded here. If not, there is really solid potential for Maeda.

Gio Gonzalez ($9,500): I think many will have a hard time rostering a pitcher from this game after last night. However, Gio has held the Marlins to a .215 average in 93 at bats with no homers, only four runs, and 20 strikeouts. Those numbers are plenty good enough to tiptoe out of the top tier if you so choose.

Middle Tier:

Zack Godley ($8,600): Godley got thumped by the Giants in his last start. Such has been 2018 for Godley. He has been one of the most inconsistent pitchers around this season. However, Godley picked up 23.8 DraftKings points in his start against San Diego earlier this season. There is good potential here, but you are playing with fire any time you put Godley into your lineup.

Nick Pivetta ($8,400): Pivetta has been up and down this year. Case in point is his last two starts, both against the same Washington team, one at home and one on the road. In D.C., he gave up two runs in five innings. At home, he cage up seven runs in 1.2 innings. It’s hard to trust Pivetta right now, but he did notch 20.1 DraftKings points in his first start against Pittsburgh this year.

Dereck Rodriguez ($7,700): Rodriguez has turned in back to back starts of more than 20 DraftKings points. He also has a 2.50 ERA in three home starts. Rodriguez is starting to come into his own here with the Giants. The Cardinals pose a bit of a roadblock, but the current hot stretch and the good home numbers have me leaning towards Rodriguez.

Felix Hernandez ($7,500): The Rockies are hitting just .164 in 61 at bats against King Felix with two homers, three runs,a nd 20 strikeouts. Felix is not a dominant pitcher anymore, but he has pitched well at home this year. The only thing that makes me a little nervous is the back stiffness that plagued him early in the Royals game last week. Felix is too much of a risk if he isn’t in top shape.

Bargain Pitchers:

Sonny Gray ($6,800): Before you go thinking that I’ve lost my mind, I will remind you that Gray has a 3.28 ERA on the road and a 3.52 ERA against Toronto this year anywhere. The Blue Jays are also hitting just .193 against Gray with only two homers and nine runs in 135 at bats. The 36 strikeouts cap his upside, but you are getting a good pitcher in a good spot here for a fraction of what his price would be if he hadn’t started half his games in Yankee Stadium.

Jordan Zimmerman ($6,700): The Rangers only got three hits and two runs in six innings in Zimmerman’s only start against them. There is pretty good potential here since Zimmerman has been pitching well lately. He has not given up more than three earned runs in a start since April 19th. Texas blew up on Boyd yesterday, but that lineup hits lefties better than righties.

Trevor Williams ($6,600): Williams picked up 19.9 DraftKings points against the Phillies earlier this year, and has a solid 3.76 ERA in nine home starts. Right now, I would trust Williams over Pivetta if you really want one of these pitchers. And you can save $1,800 with Williams! Another reason: he gave up just one hit to the Phillies in that game, but he did walk five.

German Marquez ($5,800): Marquez absolutely dominated the Dodgers in his last start, lowering his road ERA to 2.76 in eight road starts. Marquez gets a huge park upgrade in Seattle, but he also has to face a DH. Still, at just $5,800, there is very good potential here. If he can dominate the Dodgers, he can handle Seattle.

Dan Straily ($5,600): We have to take risks somewhere in the lower tier, and this could be the spot. The Nationals are hitting just .125 against Straily in 56 at bats with one homer and six runs. The nine strikeouts is far below Straily’s career marks. In fact, that is about the only thing that keeps us coming back to this well. There is no small amount of risk here, but no National is hitter over .200 against Straily. That has to count for something.

Sam Gaviglio ($5,100): Gaviglio held the Yankees to just three hits in seven shutout innings en route to 20.2 DraftKings points against them earlier this year. Gaviglio also has a stellar 1.95 ERA in four home starts. That is risk here, but Gaviglio is capable of turning in a very strong outing for less than a dozen hitters on tonight’s slate.

CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 22: Yonder Alonso #17 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates with teammates Francisco Lindor #12, Jose Ramirez #11, and Edwin Encarnacion #10 after hitting a grand slam home run off of Johnny Barbato #51 of the Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning at Progressive Field on June 22, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Indians vs. Paul Blackburn:

We see this time and time again. A pitcher dominates a team, faces them in his next start, and is then destroyed. It’s one thing to dominate a team in Oakland. That is a noted pitcher’s park. Let’s see Blackburn do it in Cleveland. Not happening. I’m high on Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Edwin Encarnacion, who has the only Cleveland homer off of Blackburn, Yonder Alonso, and Brantley here tonight. Blackburn has a 6.47 ERA on the season for a reason.

Atlanta Braves vs. Freddy Peralta:

Peralta allowed just one hit in seven innings in his only home start so far. That was against the Royals though. The Reds did well against Peralta, and though Chacin handled the Braves last night, I still believe in the lefty power of this lineup. Freeman and Albies are certainly in play. Nick Markakis, Ronald Acuna, and Dansby Swanson are worth a look as well. I’m less certain about this stack that the others, but it just seems like Peralta is due for a clunker, and Atlanta’s offense is good enough to give it to him.

Houston Astros vs. Reynaldo Lopez:

Lopez has had a solid season, but hidden in those numbers are his struggles on the road. He was also fortunate to only give up one run in five innings in his first start against Houston since he gave up four hits and four walks. The road struggles combined with the struggles in his first start against Houston have me stacking here. Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Yuli Gurriel are definitely in play here. Marwin Gonzalez and George Springer are worth a look as well.

Boston Red Sox vs. Jason Hammel:

Hammel’s numbers against the Red Sox aren’t good anyway, and that’s without factoring in the forgettable 2018 Hammel is having so far. Mitch Moreland, J.D. Martinez, Devers, Jackie Bradley, and Xander have all homered off of Hammel. You can stack anywhere 1-9 in this lineup tonight to fit your budget.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Joey Lucchesi:

Lucchesi has had a solid year, but his worst start of the year came against Arizona. Lucchesi gave up four runs in five innings in that one. Goldschmidt did nothing last night, but I’m back on him here along with Pollack, Ahmed, Owings, and David Peralta. Ahmed homered off of him earlier this year.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Felix Pena:

Pena has been solid for the Angels so far, but solid wont be enough against the Dodgers. This offense is hitting everything right now. Max Muncy and Matt Kemp are the elite plays. Bellinger, Yasiel Puig, Grandal, and Chris Taylor are all worth a look as well. Even Kike Hernandez, who usually only hits lefties, is hitting everyone right now. This offense is cooking with gas right now. Pena could really get burned here.

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 19: Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park on June 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

I wont go as far as to say that Straily has been bad enough to stack against, but Rendon and Bryce Harper each have a pair of RBI off of him and Rendon has a homer. Trea Turner is certainly worth a look after last night’s onslaught.

I really don’t trust the Giants enough to stack them, but against John Gant would be a good place if you can stomach it. I will likely go with Belt, McCutchen, and Brandon Crawford and call it good.

Justin Upton has the homer against Kenta Maeda. Mike Trout also has two RBI against Maeda.

I’m probably not stacking Yankees due to Gaviglio’s track record, but Stanton is starting to heat up, and Gregorius is always worth a look with a righty on the mound. Aaron Judge is somewhat less lethal on the road, so I’ll leave him be tonight.

Charlie Blackmon is probably cheaper than he should be, and is 3-4 with a pair of doubles against King Felix. I’m not crazy about any more Rockies on the road though.

Mike Foltynewicz has not made it to the sixth inning since June 1st, which means that the Braves are limiting his innings. It’s a good move for the Braves, but bad news for us DFS players. His career numbers against the Brewers aren’t good enough for me to pay five figures for five innings against Milwaukee. Keon Broxton is 2-5 with a solo homer. Christian Yelich is 9-20 with a walk and a RBI against Folty. They are both worth a look, especially since they wont have to deal with Foltynewicz going deep into the game.

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Middle Tier:

McCullers didn’t get much of a reprieve here either since the White Sox have hit him hard. McCullers may strike out a dozen in six innings, but he is just as likely to give up four runs in five innings. There is too much volatility to pay the price. I would rather throw Avi Garcia out there since he has a homer off of McCullers.

Denard Span is a solid play, but Marquez is strong on the road. I’m not sure how much I’m willing to invest against Marquez here. Kyle Seager is a solid play at a reasonable price as well, but I’m not digging deeper than that.

Wil Myers has the Padres’ homer against Zack Godley and five of the six RBI.

Rougned Odor has the homer off of Jordan Zimmerman. I also like Elvis here, and the left handed power of Gallo and Mazara is worth a look as well.

Lance Lynn has pitched pretty well lately, but the Orioles have thrashed him. I’ll split the difference and take the damagers instead of the full stack. Mark Trumbo has three homers and six RBI in just ten at bats against Lynn. Trey Mancini has homered off of him as well.

I’m not stacking Mets, but Todd Frazier has homered off of Ryne Stanek in the past. Asdrubal Cabrera is worth a look against the Tampa bullpen as well.

Cesar Hernandez is the only Phillie that got a hit against Trevor Williams in the first go round. He could be worth a look again.

Teoscar Hernandez has both of the Blue Jays homers off of Sonny Gray. I’m not really interested in anything else the Blue Jays offense has to offer right now.

Realmuto, Starlin Castro, and Brian Anderson are all hitting well right now. Gio Gonzalez has been pretty good at home, but using a couple of righties against him isn’t a terrible idea.

Bargain Shoppers:

Victor Martinez is still really cheap, and he is the only Tiger to homer off of Bartolo Colon so far. JaCoby Jones is a solid punt play as well.

Wilson Ramos has a homer and four RBI in his career against Jacob deGrom. deGrom’s numbers against Tampa aren’t great enough for me to pay up for. On top of that, Tampa’s offense is quietly efficient. Just ask Verlander and Gerrit Cole, who the Rays got to last week. Kevin Kiermaier is worth a look as well.

I understand why people are on Bundy, but I wont be one of them. The Twins have three homers and nine RBI in only 61 at bats. Logan Morrison is hot right now, and he has two of those three homers off of Bundy. I expect a good game from Bundy, but not enough to live up to his price. Give me LoMo and maybe Kepler instead.

This could be the time to cash in on a couple of cheap Royals. Alcides Escobar is 24-72(.333) with a homer, three steals, and three RBI. Salvador Perez is 17-63(.270) with a homer and four RBI.

Elias Diaz hit a two run homer off of Nick Pivetta earlier this year. I’m not sure how much exposure I want to this offense, but Diaz is a strong pick for a reasonable price behind the plate.

If I use any Oakland player, it will be Matt Joyce. He has scored both runs against Carrasco.

Next: DFS MLB Game by Game Breakdowns

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