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Main DraftKings MLB picks August 14: Nothing but Kershaw

By Mike Marteny

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on May 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on May 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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DraftKings MLB
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 17: Cole Hamels #35 of the Chicago Cubs delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on August 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

DraftKings MLB Pitcher Plays:

Top Tier:

Clayton Kershaw ($11,800): The Marlins are hitting an abysmal .142 against Kershaw in 106 at bats with just three runs and 28 strikeouts. That strikeout total is a bit lower than I would expect, but that’s not enough to move me off. The Marlins have a .019 ISO against Kershaw. That is complete and total domination. The kind that’s worth paying up for.

Cole Hamels ($9,300): Hamels’ first start against his long time former team didn’t go so well at Wrigley. However, it’s going to be a different atmosphere in Philly. Hamels compiled a 3.26 ERA in 143 starts at Citizens Bank Park. This is homecoming, and sometimes narratives like this defy stats. It’s either going to be a great start or a horrible start for Hamels. I’m thinking the former.

Middle Tier:

Brad Keller ($7,500): Keller has a solid 3.51 ERA in nine home starts. He also racked up 17 DraftKings points in his start against the Cardinals in St. Louis. Giving an offense like the Cardinals a DH doesn’t make much of a difference. This is still a largely mediocre offense right now until Carpenter and DeJong start hitting again.

Dallas Keuchel ($6,800): Keuchel has a 2.96 ERA in four home starts for the Braves so far. That’s the only reason that I’m even considering him here. I don’t like using pitchers against the Mets, particularly lefties, but this lineup is starting to suffer a rash of injuries. This is one of the safer places to go after the Mets and the price is right, but I still don’t feel good about it.

Bargain Pitchers:

Dillon Peters ($6,300): Peters has been solid but not spectacular in all of his four starts this year. Solid is plenty good enough against the Pirates. Pittsburgh has struggled against lefties most of the year. The price is nice on Peters and he has ample strikeout potential. Peters turned in quality starts at Cleveland and at Boston in his last two turns. the Pirates are going to seem like a cake walk.

Dakota Hudson ($6,000): Hudson is a mostly average pitcher, but that’s plenty good enough lately against the Royals. The Royals offense is all or nothing of late, and Hudson hasn’t allowed a homer in his last two starts. The good news ends there though. Hudson hasn’t made it through five innings since July 23rd. That really limits the little upside he has.

My picks: Kershaw, Hamels; Kershaw, Peters; Hamels, Keller