DraftKings MLB picks August 9: A snake in Chavez Ravine

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CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 12: An Indians fan holds a sign saluting All Star Game MVP Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) during the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians on July 12, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

DraftKings MLB Pitcher Plays:

Top Tier:

Walker Buehler ($11,500): The only thing holding me back some on Buehler is the price. The Diamondbacks are hitting just .216 with two homers and seven runs in 74 at bats with 20 strikeouts. Those numbers are plenty good enough. The issue is with the loaded middle tier that could outscore Buehler. He is only averaging 18.8 DraftKings points in three starts against Arizona this year. He did muster 22.4 in Chavez Ravine though.

Shane Bieber ($10,700): Topps called Shane “Justin” on the back of his 2019 baseball card that was just issued. If that doesn’t piss someone off, what will? Seriously though, Bieber has a 2.79 ERA in ten road starts, and has been solid against the Twins this year. Most of the other top options have red flags, but I don’t see it from Bieber. Minnesota is hitting .255 against Bieber, but only has two homers and seven runs to go with 30 strikeouts. I’m completely comfortable using Bieber here.

Robbie Ray ($9,800): Ray is going to fly under the radar, and for once, I’m going to troll the Dodgers for always failing me when I stack them. Don’t worry, I have things to back up this hare brained scheme. First off, Ray has a 2.13 ERA in nine career starts at Dodger Stadium, striking out 84 in 50 innings. Second, the Dodgers are hitting just .192 against Ray in 99 at bats with four homers, nine runs, and a staggering 47 strikeouts. Kike and Chris Taylor both out. This is a money spot for Ray.

Middle Tier:

Brad Keller ($8,000): This is a tougher price for a pitcher that doesn’t strike out a lot of batters, but Detroit will inflate his total. Keller has 16 strikeouts against Detroit in three starts, tallying 53.7 DraftKings points over those three starts. Keller is a solid mid range play tonight, but he doesn’t have a ton of upside. His high number of walks see to that. That said, Keller has only allowed 17 walks over his last 12 starts. Maybe the potential is there after all.

Jalen Beeks ($7,600): The Mariners have had a rough start to August and they really haven’t hit lefties well since Haniger went down. Without Beckham, this will be even worse. Beeks has a stellar 1.91 ERA in 37.2 road innings. He’s left handed, and will be the pitcher of record against a struggling offense. What more can you ask for?

Gio Gonzalez ($7,300): Gio keeps stringing together solid outings for the Brewers, and he’s actually in a really good spot here. Texas has struggled against lefties for much of the season. Gio doesn’t have the strikeout stuff that he once did, but a 3.35 ERA, and 3.24 in Milwaukee, is well worth this price tag. The current Rangers are only hitting .234 against Gio in 94 at bats with no homers and three runs. I will have a lot of Gio tonight.

Bargain Pitchers:

Kolby Allard ($6,800): Allard is a risk here, but he posted a 3.99 ERA at AAA this year between the Rangers and Braves systems. The Brewers have also struggled against lefties for most of the last two months. Allard doesn’t pack a lot of strikeout punch, but this is a decent place for him to make his 2019 debut and most people wont use him. I’ll take at least one shot with Allard.

Cal Quantrill ($6,200): Since his return to the rotation, Quantrill has only allowed one run in two home starts combined. One of those was against Atlanta! The Rockies are a much different, and currently struggling, animal away from Coors. Quantrill lacks the huge strikeout upside, but it’s better than normal against the free swinging Rockies.

Drew Smyly ($5,800): Where did this price come from? Sure, Smyly has a 7.01 ERA, but in his one start against the Giants this year, Smyly racked up 26.8 DraftKings points in seven shutout innings. That was in Philly! Oracle Park is a much better pitcher haven. The Giants are hitting just .179 in 39 at bats against Smyly with just a solo homer to show for it. We all know the Giants can’t hit at home. Smyly might not hit that high water mark of the season, but he’ll flirt with 20, which makes him the best bargain around tonight.

My picks: Ray, Gio; Ray, Smyly; Keller, Smyly; Keller, Allard; Ray, Keller