DraftKings Late MLB Picks August 19: Verlander or Kershaw?

OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 06: Flags representing the Oakland Athletics in the parking lot blow in the wind prior to the start of the game between the Texas Rangers and Athletics on Opening Day at O.co Coliseum on April 6, 2015 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Late MLB Picks August 19: Verlander or Kershaw?

We have three late games in our DraftKings tournament before the Little League Classic in a minor league ballpark. Enjoy that one in showdown mode! For this slate, we have three posing as aces and three lottery tickets at best. How do we manage this one?

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We have no rain over on the left coast, so enjoy the nice weather for our afternoon baseball. The only wind is that customary breeze in Oakland!

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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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 03: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros on the mound after two outs in the eighth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 3, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Justin Verlander ($12,000): Verlander has held the A’s to a .210 average in 81 at bats, but they do have four homers and seven runs off of him. Oh well, the 22 strikeouts erase that in a hurry. Verlander has 47.2 DraftKings points in two starts against Oakland this year. This isn’t a tremendous matchup, but judging by the slate, you need to find a way to pay for Verlander in cash games. GPP’s you may get away with going elsewhere.

Clayton Kershaw ($10,000): Kershaw has owned the Mariners. In 69 at bats, the current Mariners have just 10 hits (.145) with one run and 19 strikeouts. Kershaw, the best home pitcher of his era, has actually been better on the road this year. We have seen Kershaw get back on track lately. He has gone at least six innings with two or fewer earned runs allowed in every start since the All Star Break. I think I like Kershaw’s upside over Verlander today. He should be his own dominant self here.

Middle Tier:

Zack Greinke ($9,100): I’m about to say screw Greinke because of what the Padres did to Ray and Godley the last two nights. Both of whom came highly recommended from yours truly. Like Ray and Godley, Greinke has the stats you want to see here. The Padres are only hitting .214 in 145 at bats with just three homers, eight runs, and a whopping 39 strikeouts. Judging by these, I could justify dropping out of the upper tier. However, after what the Padres have done in the last two games, I’m not sure that’s the best idea.

Bargain Pitchers:

Sean Manaea ($6,300): Manaea has been solid at home and decent against Houston. That alone make him an acceptable SP2 at this price. Manaea has 42.3 DraftKings points in three games against Houston this year. Not great, but definitely not bad with his price this low. It’s hard to afford two aces and find an offense that will score what those aces do. We could be better off dropping to Manaea here.

OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 17: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros hits a home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on August 17, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Even if I use Manaea, Alex Bregman will be in my lineup. Bregman has three homers off of Manaea already. Evan Gattis has a homer against Manaea as well, but no one else hits him well enough to really go after. Though I will admit that a $4,300 George Springer is very tempting.

Only Manny Machado and Brian Dozier have faced Roenis Elias so far. They are a combined 9-16(.562) with a homer and four RBI off of him. This is not a particularly good spot for Elias, coming off the DL against a team that can throw a bunch of powerful righties out there.

Brett Kennedy has an 11 ERA. That means he could give up five runs in four innings and still lower his ERA. Chances are good that he does that or worse. Paul Goldschmidt, Steven Souza, and David Peralta are elite here. I honestly can’t find a fault with using any Arizona player. That’s how bad Kennedy has been.

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Middle Tier:

Enjoy the price drop on Khris Davis. Davis has slugged two homers against Verlander in just eight at bats. Matt Olson, who hit the first walkoff of his career yesterday, has also homered against Verlander.

Bargain Shoppers:

Matt Kemp at $3,800 against Elias is like stealing. Just saying……I think Kemp will be at least 75% owned, but I have a hard time not using him here. Chris Taylor is reasonably priced as well.

Manuel Margot is 5-8 with a homer against Greinke, and could lead off. Austin Hedges and Wil Myers have homered off of Greinke as well.

Next. DFS Game by game breakdowns August 19. dark

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