DraftKings Early MLB Picks July 11: Roll with Zimmerman?

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 15: A general exterior view prior to the 85th MLB All-Star Game at Target Field on July 15, 2014 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Early MLB Picks July 11: Roll with Zimmerman?

We have three early games on our Wednesday this week. That means we need to gain separation from the pack by getting creative. Maybe some past stats can help with that. Let’s take a look at this short slate which looks very short on pitching.

More from DFS

There is no rain for the afternoon, and only a 13 mph wind in from right in Minneapolis. That could sap the power a little, but these two teams don’t hit much for power anyway.

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

CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 26: Starting pitcher Lance Lynn #31 of the Minnesota Twins delivers the ball against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 26, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Jordan Zimmerman ($9,500): Wow, am I really going to spend this much on Jordan Zimmerman, who was nearly $3,000 less last time he took the mound? In the all day tournament, absolutely not, but there is merit to his price in the early one. The Rays are only hitting .169 in 71 at bats against Zimmerman with no homers, just two runs, and a whopping 21 strikeouts. Zimmerman has pitched well this year with a 4-0 record and a 3.52 ERA in 11 starts. However, his balky back does have me a little worried about shelling out this much for him.

Gio Gonzalez ($8,800): If you think the price on Zimmerman is high, wait til you get a load of Gio! Keep in mind that Gonzalez has not cracked double digit DraftKings points since June 2nd. That’s over a month ago! He is in a rougher patch mostly because Gonzalez is not going past five innings, or getting strikeouts, nor has he notched a win since May 28th. There is potential here since Gonzalez is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA in three career starts at PNC Park.

Middle Tier:

Lance Lynn ($7,400): Lynn has been spectacular at home and a huge disaster on the road. His ERA in eight home starts is 2.53. Now he gets a Royals team that he held to two runs in six innings earlier this season en route to 18.1 DraftKings points. Lynn is about the only pitcher on this slate that I would say is reasonably priced. I can understand the reasoning with Zimmerman, but not with Gio. At any rate, Lynn should have a pretty good start against the Royals once again.

Bargain Pitchers:

Ryan Yarbrough ($6,200): The Rays have not announced who will relieve the opener today, but it should be Yarbrough’s turn. If it is, look out! Yarbrough could rack up a ton of points against this struggling offense. Just make sure it’s confirmed before you roll Yarbrough or anyone else out there. Since Yarbrough didn’t go last night, it would seem to be his night since He hasn’t pitched since last Wednesday. Of course, DraftKings said that he was going tonight. Keep an eye out for official word from Kevin Cash.

Burch Smith ($4,000): Smith has not started a major league game since 2013 with San Diego, but in long relief against the Red Sox last week, he gave up just two hits in four innings. Don’t expect big innings out of Smith, but against a team like the Twins, there is decent potential for him to chalk up quite a few outs in four or five innings. The bad news is that Smith has yielded seven runs in just three innings of relief to the Twins in two appearances this year, That’s enough to make you really think about this.

Next: Other notes for 7-11

DETROIT, MI – JUNE 13: Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates scoring a first inning run with Robbie Grossman #36 and Brian Dozier #2 while playing the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on June 13, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Not only did Trevor Williams get blasted by the Phillies last week, but he didn’t pitch all that well against the Nationals the first time around. The Nats are doing much better now than they were then. Trea Turner homered off of him in that game, so Turner is a good pick. Harper and Juan Soto keep right on hitting, so throw them in there too. To cap a stack off, I would go with Matt Adams and Rendon.

Eddie Rosario had a bases clearing double against Burch Smith in relief earlier this year. Brian Dozier and Robbie Grossman are perfect against him in four combined plate appearances.

More from FanSided

Middle Tier:

If you do decide to go against Zimmerman and his back, the Rays are still all reasonably priced. Kiermaier and Matt Duffy are the only Rays that have had any kind of success against Zimmerman, so I would probably limit my exposure to those two.

There are a whole lot of mid level Pirates hitters from the right side that could hit Gio tonight. Josh Harrison has two homers and five RBI and is 6-12 against Gio. Francisco Cervelli looks good as well.

Mike Moustakas is 4-13 with two homers and five RBI off of Lance Lynn. Lucas Duda has also homered off of Lynn, but it is his only hit in 16 at bats.

Bargain Shoppers:

If you need to go cheap, my favorites have to be David Freese and Jordy Mercer with a lefty on the mound in Pittsburgh. I’m not sure I feel like paying up for Marte, so both of these guys provide much needed salary relief without having to sacrifice a 1B or OF slot.

It is worth noting that a $3,000 Alex Gordon is 9-15 off of Lance Lynn in his career even though he has no counting stats.

Next: DFS MLB Game by Game Breakdowns

We promised some big news in June for Fantasy CPR, right? Well here it is! We are now looking for PAID writers to join our team to write about fantasy sports. Seasonal or DFS, any sport you want – get your voice heard and get paid for talking fantasy sports. Apply today HERE!