Early DraftKings MLB picks July 17: Everything turns Gray

2 of 4

DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 01: Starting pitcher Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Coors Field on June 01, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

DraftKings MLB Pitcher Plays:

Top Tier:

Sonny Gray ($10,200): Gray gets another first here today. He has never pitched in Wrigley Field before. Gray did allow three homers in two games against the Cubs in Cincinnati earlier this year, but he also averaged 19.8 DraftKings points per game in those two starts. I think we would be slightly disappointed in that return today, but there’s reason to believe that Gray will be better. He has only given up one run in 15 July innings. Seven of those were at Coors Field! Bring on Wrigley!

Daniel Poncedeleon ($9,600): Poncedeleon has only given up two runs in three home starts this year. If you want to say that he hasn’t faced any good offenses, fair enough. The best was probably the Padres team that put four runs on him. Still, do you think the Pittsburgh offense can do that right now? I don’t. I wouldn’t expect a huge score with the weather the way it is, but Poncedeleon should still clear 20 DraftKings points. That’s not a bad return.

Middle Tier:

Jon Gray ($8,600): Gray has allowed just one run on nine hits in 12.2 innings to the Giants this year. Gray also has a 3.24 ERA at home in eight starts. Things are lining up for a monster game for Gray, and he is very affordable compared to all of the other pitching above him. Yes, it’s going to be hot in Denver, but the ball flies there anyway. Gray’s ground ball tendencies really help him out at home.

Dallas Keuchel ($8,300): Lefties against the Brewers. It has become a thing. Fried was shutting them down the other night. He was just the latest in a long line. The Brewers are hitting a decent .250 against Keuchel, but only have one homer and four runs in 52 at bats. The nine strikeouts leaves something to be desired, but that’s why Keuchel is affordable. I would choose him as my top option and not think twice about it today.

Bargain Pitchers:

Homer Bailey ($7,000): Bailey has only made two career starts in Oakland, posting a solid 3.46 ERA in those two games. The Mariners are hitting .273 against Homer in 55 at bats, but they only have two homers and four runs to go with 11 strikeouts. That counts as a high K rate for Bailey. For $7k, we can do a lot worse. I tend to think that Homer will be excited playing for a team that has something to play for.

Chase Anderson ($6,100): Anderson has been solid lately, but still isn’t going deep into games. That’s a bit of a concern. Still, so long as he gets in the mid teens, we’ll be happy with that sort of production. I don’t really think we need to drop this far, but if you want all the Coors bats, this is the way to do it. Anderson picked up 11.4 DraftKings points in four innings in his first game against Atlanta this year. He should go at least five here.

My picks: Poncedeleon, Anderson; Jon Gray, Bailey; Jon Gray, Anderson; Keuchel, Jon Gray