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DraftKings MLB picks August 15: A-A-Ron is back on track

By Mike Marteny

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 10: Aaron Sanchez #18 of the Houston Astros pitches during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 10, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 10: Aaron Sanchez #18 of the Houston Astros pitches during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 10, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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DraftKings MLB
FanDuel MLB: CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 03: Sonny Gray #54 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts after getting the final out in the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park on July 3, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 3-0. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

DraftKings MLB Pitcher Plays:

Top Tier:

Sonny Gray ($9,100): Gray has limited history against the Cardinals, but with the way their offense is going, I have no issue using Gray against them. Gray picked up 14.2 DraftKings points in his first start against the Cards this year. We would be disappointed if that’s all he got here, but pitching is rather awful tonight. Gray is one of the best of a slew of average or worse options.

Julio Teheran ($8,600): This isn’t perfect, especially since Teheran got thumped by the Mets here on June 18th, but Teheran still has a 2.52 ERA in 11 home starts. Overall, the Mets are hitting just .204 against Teheran in 157 at bats with six homers, 15 runs, and 35 strikeouts. Those are decent enough numbers to give him a run tonight, especially considering the short slate and limited options.

Middle Tier:

Alex Young ($8,100): Young threw five strong innings in his major league debut back on June 27th, and has been mostly strong in all of his appearances in the bigs. Young racked up 20.3 DraftKings points in that game despite throwing only 72 pitches. If Arizona lets him throw around 90, Young should clear 20 again with ease.

Reynaldo Lopez ($7,900): Lopez has allowed just eight runs (seven earned) in five starts since the break. He finally has this pitching thing figured out. The Angels are still pretty dangerous, but the current active roster is just 4-25 against Lopez with a homer and 12 strikeouts. Everything is trending upwards for Lopez right now. At the very least, I don’t think he gets lit up, so this price is a great one to pay for a potential 20+ DraftKings point outing. Lopez has the best upside on the evening slate.

Bargain Pitchers:

Aaron Sanchez ($7,700): The Astros, the faith healers of the major leagues, have rehabilitated yet another pitcher. This time in the middle of a season! They added Sanchez, a very talented but struggling pitcher, at the deadline. All he has done in two Houston starts is allow one run in 11 innings of work. On top of that, Sanchez has allowed just three hits! Oakland is going to pester him and maybe even run up the pitch count, but I can just about guarantee they wont get to him. Sanchez has only given up two homers in his last ten starts.

Devin Smeltzer ($7,200): Smeltzer has given up only 13 runs in five starts this year. 11 of them were in two starts to Cleveland. Smeltzer only gave up one in 4.1 innings in his first start against Texas. The Rangers are still struggling against lefties, so Smeltzer looks to be a pretty safe option here. He’s not going much if any past the fifth inning here, but for the price, if he hits the mid teens, we’ll be happy. That’s a good bet against the Rangers tonight.

My picks: Gray, Lopez; Gray, Sanchez; Lopez, Sanchez; Lopez, Smeltzer