DraftKings Main MLB Picks August 1: Freeland looks like an ace

ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 22: A general view of SunTrust Park during a rain delay before the game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves on April 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Main MLB Picks August 1: Freeland looks like an ace

We have a wacky Wednesday on DraftKings. First off, six teams are off completely, which is unusual. On top of that, the Nats and Mets kick off earlier than everyone else, so that is showdown only. The other 11 games are evenly split though with five in the afternoon and six on the main slate. This will concentrate on the six games in the main DraftKings slate.

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Rain is very likely in Atlanta again tonight, and if I had to guess, I doubt they get this in. The lowest the chance of rain gets from 3pm on is 60% through midnight, and they aren’t going to start that late. Make sure to keep a close eye on this because there are some great plays in this game again. At least we don’t have any wind to worry about!

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!

ATLANTA, GA – JULY 26: Pitcher Rich Hill #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch in the seventh inning during the game against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on July 26, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Rich Hill ($9,600): I wish Hill had been battered by the Braves. It would have lowered his price and ownership. Hill racked up 28.1 DraftKings points against the Brewers earlier this year, striking out nine and allowing only one run in six innings. The strikeout potential is still there, and with most of the Milwaukee power from the left side, Hill looks primed for another strong start here.

Kyle Freeland ($8,600): Freeland actually has an ERA more than a run better at home, but his 3.64 road mark is still pretty good. The Cardinals were locked down by Gray last night. Freeland is more than capable of doing the same, though the Cardinals do have a couple of hitters that perform well against lefties. At any rate, Freeland is quietly having a really good season. I think that continues here against an offense that is kind of cold lately.

Middle Tier:

Anibal Sanchez ($8,000): There are a ton of reasons to hate this, and the weather is at the top of the list. However, if the rain suddenly clears out, what we have is Sanchez in a decent position here. He has a 2.61 ERA in six home starts this season. Seriously. Someone needs to explain how his numbers are still this good. There isn’t much in the Marlins offense to get excited about, so if the game looks like it will go far enough to be official, Sanchez is worth a look on a short slate.

Cole Hamels ($7,900): Hamels doesn’t have much for experience against this incarnation of the Pirates, but there is a lot to like here. First off, the Pirates that have faced him only have one homer and two runs in 64 at bats. On top of that, Hamels has a 1.22 ERA in five career starts at PNC Park. His return to the National League should be a triumphant one, despite the Pirates hot hitting of late.

Bargain Pitchers:

Luke Weaver ($7,000): Weaver’s numbers still are not good, however, he has only given up six runs in his last three starts combined. When you add in the Rockies’ elevated strikeout totals on the road, there is decent potential here. The Colorado power could be rough on Weaver though. He has allowed nine homers in nine home starts this year. At least the strikeouts should help him carry a solid stat line, which is about all you can ask for at this price.

Dylan Covey ($5,900): Covey’s numbers are still all over the place as consistency has been nearly impossible for him to come by. However, Covey has posted a respectable 3.54 ERA in five home starts, and this Royals offense isn’t very, well, respectable. Covey’s strikeout totals are also much better at home, so there is decent value potential here on a short slate against a terrible offense.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 14: Jake Bauers #9 and C.J. Cron #44 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrate scoring against the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning of the game on July 14, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Rays defeated the Twins 19-6. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Nick Tropeano:

Well, the Rays teed off on Tyler Skaggs last night, which hurt a ton of lineups. They smoked Tropeano earlier this season as well, and we all know how much better the Rays hitters are at home. Kiermaier, Trevor Bauers, and Ji-Man Choi look good here. So does new arrival Tommy Pham. C.J. Cron is worth a look as well, as is Daniel Robertson.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Rays bullpen:

This is truly a bullpen game for the Rays with Yarbrough going last night, Snell on the DL, and Archer a Pirate. I don’t trust any of them to get Trout out all four times. Justin Upton, Pujols, Simmons, and Ohtani look good to round out the stack. I’m all over Francisco Arcia as well if he starts.

Atlanta Braves vs. Pablo Lopez:

Lopez hasn’t been bad so far, but the park dynamic favors lefties, and Atlanta has a ton of power. The only thing stopping this stack is the weather. If it looks like this game will play, I’m on Atlanta bats regardless of who the pitcher is. Freeman and Albies remain the elite options, but Ronald Acuna and Nick Markakis aren’t far off. Tyler Flowers would be a good cap to the stack as well.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chase Anderson:

The Dodgers are “only” hitting .269 against Anderson in 93 at bats, but they have destroyed him. Anderson has allowed seven homers and a staggering 22 runs in that time. That means the Dodgers are scoring a run about every 4.2 at bats! Grandal has three homers and eight RBI, so start the stack there. Matt Kemp has two homers and eight RBI against Anderson, so he is a welcome addition. Chase Utley and Puig have taken Anderson deep as well, however, I’m more interested in Machado, Muncy, and Bellinger here. Maybe even Brian Dozier‘s debut in Dodger blue.

CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 22: Starling Marte #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after hitting a solo home run in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 22, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Starling Marte is 6-15 with a solo homer in his career against Cole Hamels. He is about the only Pirate that I can really get excited about tonight, though David Freese and Jordy Mercer are solid punt options with a lefty on the hill.

Ben Zobrist has the only Cubs homer against Nick Kingham. It was a three run job. This ballpark isn’t conducive to power though, so it kind of feels as if Schwarber would just be wasting money. Rizzo is a solid option though.

I refuse to stack Rockies on the road just on principal, but they have done a solid job putting up runs in the first two games in St. Louis. Nolan Arenado has a homer and four RBI in his only game against Luke Weaver. I’m a fan of Carlos Gonzalez and Charlie Blackmon here as well.

Jesus Aguilar is worth a look with a lefty on the mound, but I’m not really high on any other Brewers. Hernan Perez is a decent punt option for those of you looking for salary relief.

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Middle Tier:

I don’t quite believe in the White Sox enough to stack against Jake Junis if his troubles pre-break were because of his balky back. His defense let him down against the Yankees, and he looked good against the Twins since. However, Junis has not finished five frames in either start. In lieu of a stack, Matt Davidson has homered twice off of Junis is just three at bats, so roll him out there. Moncada has the other homer off of Junis. I’m not about to decry the use of Jose Abreu right now either.

I’m not ready to stack Royals against Dylan Covey either. Jorge Bonifacio and Alex Gordon have both homered off of him, and Salvador Perez has four RBI in 12 at bats against him.

Paul DeJong and Marcell Ozuna are both worth a look with a lefty on the mound, but I wouldn’t get too crazy with St. Louis bats here. There is a huge risk of disappointment.

Bargain Shoppers:

Martin Prado is 15-36(.417) with a homer, seven runs, and five RBI in his career against Anibal Sanchez. I’m not sure how many Marlins I want here, especially since a delay or postponement is all but assured. However, if the game plays, Prado is in play.

Next. MLB game by game breakdown August 1st. dark

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