There are just two games on the docket for the early MLB DraftKings contests. That means you’ve got close to a 25 percent chance to pick the right guy at each position. The short recommendation is to stack Houston Astros hitters with a sprinkle of Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox bats. Read on for more detailed advice.
Here’s a breakdown of the best picks to make.
Attacking Tropeano
I hate to gang up on a guy, but Los Angeles Angels starter Nick Tropeano is the easiest mark among all starting pitchers on Wednesday afternoon.
Tropeano is facing a dangerous Houston Astros lineup, and he hasn’t exactly been on fire this season. He comes into the game with a 5.06 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. As a starting pitcher, opponents are hitting .308 against him.
Those numbers lead you to believe he’ll experience some issues when trying to contain the likes of Jose Altuve ($4,500), Carlos Correa ($4,800) and George Springer ($4,400). Correa is an especially smart pick. The rookie shortstop is having a solid first season and he’s been hot of late.
In his last seven games, he’s hitting .308 with a home run and four RBI. I like him to produce a strong game on Wednesday.
Dynamic South Side Duo
There was a time when taking two hitters who were set to face Justin Verlander would be a bad fantasy strategy. Those days are gone. Verlander has somewhat rebounded from a tough start to the season, but he’s still a hittable guy.
Two White Sox hitters in particular have had success against him in the past. First baseman Jose Abreu ($4,800) is hitting a scorching .500 against Verlander in 16 career at-bats. Three of his hits have been for extra bases, with two leaving the premises.
Adam Eaton ($4,100) has been almost as effective in a lead-off man sort of way. He’s 5-for-15 against Verlander in his career, with two doubles and a triple. He’s also on an 11-game hitting streak and is batting .381 in the month of September.
Eaton is a smart pick to click on Wednesday.
Mound Selections
There aren’t any real stud pitchers scheduled to go on Wednesday, but the Astros’ Mike Fiers ($9,200) seems like the most logical pick. While the Angels lineup definitely has some pop, Fiers appears to have the edge over Tropeano in the pitching matchup.
Current Angels hitters are batting just .222 against Fiers in their collective careers, and he has been a little better at home than he has on the road. In Houston, opponents are hitting just .226 against him as opposed to .255 on the road. Likewise, Fiers‘ ERA on the road is 3.80 while it’s 3.48 at home.
To put it plainly, the Astros should win on Wednesday which would give Fiers a better chance to earn the bonus fantasy points for getting the decision.
The biggest gamble in the lineup above is the tabbing of 22-year-old Frankie Montas ($4,000). The White Sox rookie hurler is making his first major league start against a veteran Tigers lineup. While Montas is light on experience, with just eight innings of work over six relief appearances under his belt, he has looked good when he’s taken the ball.
His ERA is just 1.13 and WHIP is 1.25. He’s struck out 10 in those eight innings, and opponents are hitting just .214 against him.
Walks could be an issue, as he’s given up four of them already. However, I’m predicting the lack of familiarity will benefit him, and he’ll give Chicago five strong innings with seven or eight strikeouts, a couple walks and a win.
At $4,000 in DK salary, Montas easily represents the best value on the board today.
Stats per ESPN.com.
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