DraftKings Early MLB Picks August 18: Pay up for deGrom?

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 03: A view of the tarp covering the field during a rain delay before a game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Early MLB Picks August 18: Pay up for deGrom?

We have three games in our early DraftKings tournament today. The Jays matinee in the Bronx is only available in the showdown and all day tournaments, which does take Severino out of play. His career numbers against the Jays aren’t great anyway, but a couple of more options would have been welcomed! As it stands though, we have had to deal with much worse. There is only one pitcher than I am adamantly against using.

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There is a decent rain threat in Philly that could cause one or more delays. However, This game should get played at some point today.

The wind id blowing out in Oakland (no biggie) and in at 14 mph in Cleveland. That could affect the offensive output there, but I’m pretty convinced that with the way the Cleveland offense is hitting, it still wont matter.

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!

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ANAHEIM, CA – AUGUST 12: Trevor Cahill #53 of the Oakland Athletics pitches in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on August 12, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Jacob deGrom ($13,000): The Phillies are hitting .229 against deGrom with three homers and 12 runs in 140 at bats with 36 strikeouts. Nothing jumps off the page there. Those are pretty good numbers, but not when you consider the price tag attached. That said, deGrom has not given up a run and has only allowed five hits over nine innings to the Phillies this year. deGrom has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the league this year, and hasn’t really had any hiccups. He looks very safe, even at this price.

Trevor Cahill ($8,200): Cahill has been dominant at home this year, posting a 0.99 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in seven home starts. The Astros are starting to get healthy, and do have good career numbers against Cahill, but this is still a shell of the offense that terrorized the league last year and earlier this year. Yes, Altuve does make that big of a difference.

Middle Tier:

Dallas Keuchel ($7,600): Keuchel’s numbers are decent against the A’s. He is holding them to a .226 average in 186 at bats, but they still have five homers and 18 runs. However, on a short slate and for a reasonable price, Keuchel is at least worth a look with those average numbers. The A’s have a lot of right handed power, so there is risk involved here, but Oakland is still a massive pitchers park, even with the wind blowing out. This should be a pretty low scoring affair.

Jake Arrieta ($7,100): Arrieta has a 3.02 ERA in 11 home starts this year. In his only start against the Mets, Arrieta shut them out for 7.1 innings en route to 22.3 DraftKings points. The Mets offense is looking pretty good right now, but with Brandon Nimmo possibly still out, that takes a chunk out of the Mets’ potential. Arrieta isn’t a sure thing, but his numbers are strong on the year. This looks like a bargain for him here.

Bargain Pitchers:

Adam Plutko ($5,800): The Orioles aren’t that good of a team, so Plutko at least deserves consideration as the lowest you can go without falling off a cliff. However, Plutko has a 5.18 ERA at home, so this is far from a sure thing. Baltimore still has some pop in those bats, and Plutko is not great against righties. He’s okay, but that’s all this is. Okay. There is potential for a blowup, and the ceiling isn’t all that high since the strikeouts aren’t either.

Alex Cobb ($4,200): It takes some acorns to roll with this, but the Indians are only hitting .196 against Cobb with just one homer and four runs in 56 at bats. However, with the way that Cleveland is hitting right now, I want no part of this. There is potential for Cobb to have a decent game here, but I would say that the chances are better that he gets hit hard.

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 14: Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians hits a home run in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 14, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cleveland defeated Cincinnati 8-1. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Jose Ramirez homered against last night. Big surprise, right? You almost have to play him at this point, especially against a tomato can like Cobb. Lindor and Yonder Alonso are my second and third favorite picks. I also like Michael Brantley, and Greg Allen still a good cheap option.

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Middle Tier:

The Orioles could be a cheap stack if you don’t believe in Plutko. Cedric Mullins has been hitting since his callup, so I like him in this price range. Tim Beckham and Mark Trumbo are worth a look as well, but I’m not sure I want to go too crazy here.

My favorite A’s player today is Matt Chapman, who has two homers and three RBI in his career against Keuchel. Khris Davis has a homer against Keuchel as well, but that is his only hit in 21 at bats.

Todd Frazier is 4-18 with two homers and six RBI in his career against Jake Arrieta. The rest of the team has no homers and four RBI in 72 at bats.

George Springer, Yuli Gurriel, and Evan Gattis have all homered against Trevor Cahill in their careers, but I’m not sure how much exposure I want to someone that is pitching like Cahill is this year. Springer at $4,100 does look like a good bargain though.

Bargain Shoppers:

Justin Bour is just $3,500, and he is 8-21(.381) with two homers and six RBI in his career against Jacob deGrom. He is the only Phillie that I would even consider today.

Mark Canha is a good way to save some money this afternoon. He is only $3,200, but he has a homer and three RBI in his career against Dallas Keuchel. Jonathan Lucroy is 4-11 with a par of runs, so he can help ease your pocketbook as well.

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