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Early DraftKings MLB picks August 14: I dream of Gio

By Mike Marteny

FanDuel MLB: MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 27: Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches against the Minnesota Twins on May 27, 2019 at the Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Brewers defeated the Twins 5-4. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
FanDuel MLB: MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 27: Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches against the Minnesota Twins on May 27, 2019 at the Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Brewers defeated the Twins 5-4. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /
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DraftKings MLB
FanDuel MLB: WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 30: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the second inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park on March 30, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

DraftKings MLB Pitcher Plays:

Top Tier:

Shane Bieber ($11,000): This price is scary high against a team like Boston, but you can’t argue with Bieber’s recent results. He has a 2.77 ERA and a 26.1 DraftKings points per game average over his last ten starts. Over his last four, Bieber has allowed six runs combined and has completed two of those games striking out no less than nine. Sure, the Red Sox beat up the Biebs earlier this year, but Bieber may be better right now. Something can be said for a pitcher on a run like this.

Stephen Strasburg ($10,600): The Reds are hitting only .202 against Strasburg with 84 at bats with three homers, seven runs, and 22 strikeouts. If you don’t trust Bieber’s recent run against Boston, Strasburg is a very good pivot. I could see using him outright over Bieber. The Reds have higher strikeout potential, so this is the safer play for cash games.

Middle Tier:

Robbie Ray ($8,100): Yep, he’s pitching at Coors. Yep, the Rockies have destroyed Ray in his career. They are hitting .366 with 14 homers and 37 runs in just 172 at bats. So why use him, even at this discounted price? Because Ray has only allowed one home run in 36.1 career innings at Coors Field with 45 strikeouts. The Rockies have torched him in Phoenix, not Denver. Use this knowledge to use Ray and his strikeout upside to your advantage.

Gio Gonzalez ($7,900): Gio isn’t really a guy that’s renowned for strikeouts, but you wouldn’t know it with his career stats against the Twins. Sure, this current lineup is hitting .288 against Gio in 52 at bats, but they only have one homer, four runs, and a lofty 19 strikeouts. Gio has been outstanding in his tenure with the Brewers so far, especially in Milwaukee. He’s one of the few pitchers that actually looks safe against the Twins.

Bargain Pitchers:

Cal Quantrill ($7,300): Quantrill hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a game since moving back into the rotation and that included starts at Wrigley and Dodgers Stadium. The Rays are good, but Quantrill has proven that he can handle good teams. Value is hard to come by this afternoon and Quantrill could fly under the radar a bit. He has only allowed three earned runs in his last five starts combined. Two of those were to the Dodgers.

Homer Bailey ($6,800): Homer is only usable in spots, and I still don’t like this price, but the Giants are the worst hitting home team in the majors and it’s not close. Take advantage of the team that can’t hit in its own park. On the other side of this, Homer doesn’t give up homers but he does give up hits. The Giants may single and double him to submission.

My picks: Strasburg, Gio; Gio, Quantrill; Gio, Homer