KMarko's Daily DraftKings Picks - Time To Get Rich
New segment we’re kicking off around here, pretty much a daily look at my quest to try to get rich playing daily fantasy. Some people gamble, me, I like to have a little more hands on approach on my money making. Basically ever since we started running the DraftKings contests I got hooked and started playing every day on my own, so I figured I might as well start dishing out some daily picks. All my own money deposited, not promoting any contests or pushing any links, just telling you my thoughts on some of the games and possible plays of the day. Let’s do it.
Tonight’s Tournament: MLB $10K High Heat ($100 Entry)
Pitchers:
#1: Gerrit Cole
Locked in on Cole tonight. 28 and 31 point performances in his last two, against a Reds team that’s not very scary, in a pitcher’s park. Oh and he’s a -150 favorite that can hit 10 Ks easily.
*Update 6:20 PM*
CIN @ PIT – A dotted line of pop up showers and weak t-storms is forming upstream of Pittsburgh and headed in that direction. Even though these storms are relatively weak, and very small, they are juuust strong enough to pop a lightning strike or two, which means our delay potential increases. Even with the very low coverage of storms, it’s possible one (or more if we are unlucky) passes by the stadium and causes a delay. This game will definitely get in, that’s not a concern, but I know pitching is a target here, and the delay potential does exist. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you if a single cell will head over the stadium until about 15-30 minutes before it happens, so it’s just a matter of understanding risk/reward with pitchers in this one. Overall this game looks pretty good, but not great.
Rain/lightning delays are the kiss of death for starting pitchers. As much as I love Cole, might be scared off him for tonight.
#2: CJ Wilson or Lance Lynn
Used to be easy money targeting the Cubs, but now their lineup is scary as hell. Still #2 in the league in strikeouts so Lynn can definitely rack some up here, but he could also get rocked by some massive home runs.
More likely to go with Wilson who has been pitching well and could have a solid game for only 7.8K if he can just pitch around Nelson Cruz. (No seriously, that’s really really important. Without fact checking I’d guess Cruz is at 56 home runs so far this season, roughly).
Value Mail-In Picks:
Mike Foltynewicz
Because he’s facing the Phillies and one of my favorite things to do is take pitchers against the Phillies and know they have a shot at a perfect game every time they take the mound. Have I heard of him? No. Have I heard of the Phillies, yes.
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Ubaldo Jimenez
As someone who watches almost every single Mets game, I know the look of this team right now. They can’t hit for shit. Sure they could snap out of it at any point and become the best team in the majors again, but if we’re playing recent trends, Ubaldo for 7.3K could end up being a steal tonight.
Batters
No Brainers:
OF Joc Pederson
5 homers in his last 8 games, playing in Milwaukee, against a pitcher who has given up 48 homers the past 2 seasons. Take my money! Take it!
2B Devon Travis
Facing a struggling lefty at home with a price tag of 3,400 which is basically free. Yes please.
C Russell Martin
Basically between Martin and Vogt tonight, I want to get some more exposure to the Jays righties vs. CC so rolling with Martin. His game log is insane. 3 homers in his last 4 with points of 24,10,19,and 24.
Big Money Bats:
OF Jose Bautista
Keeping with the pick on CC theme. This is assuming he plays obviously, but apparently his day off yesterday had nothing to do with his previous injury and he should be back in there today. If not I’ll pivot to…
OF Mike Trout – uhh, he’s Mike Trout. He could be 0 for his last 30 (he never will be) and I’d still trust him as the cornerstone of a lineup. Could hit 2 homers and have 3 steals any night he plays.
1B Adrian Gonzalez – guy has been lights out this season. If you don’t hit on a guy you spend 4.9K on you’re fucked which is why I like A Gon, high floor and high ceiling.
Value Plays Under 4K:
OF Billy Burns
Leads off for a hot hitting team and costs 2.7K, basically the type of players daily fantasy players get erections over. Completely heterosexual boners, like boners out of respect and a love of money.
3B Luis Valbuena – Guy goes way under the radar but absolutely mashes righties. Do you trust Colby Lewis to keep pitching well? I don’t.
OF David DeJesus – Rays lefties look nice to target tonight against Masterson. From all the Boston Barstool guys I follow on Twitter, I’ve learned one thing this season – the Sox don’t pitch good.
3B/OF Kelly Johnson – Not sure if I’ll play him because I don’t trust him yet, but like, the numbers are insane. Dude has homered practically every game he’s played. I do kind of have a rule against leaving 100 bucks in the hands of men named Kelly though.
SS – Andrelton Simmons – Recently moved up to the 2 spot, been real hot, and faces Jerome Williams who stinks. Targeting some Braves looks like a good idea.
Vegas Totals:
Always the first thing I do, check the totals. As everyone learns the first couple weeks they gamble or play fantasy – Vegas is way smarter than you bro. Finding the highest run over/unders, then picking players batting in the top 5 or 6 of those games is always a solid move.
8.5 – Yankees/Jays, Dodgers/Brewers, Rays/Sox, Rangers/Astros
PS – Doing this article earlier for the day games today and including Bryce Harper as a pick would have really started me off on the right foot.