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As always, my goal with this article is to help you identify viable options to insert into your DraftKings lineups, based on pricing and matchups data. Here's a compilation of players I like when choosing a lineup for Monday, August 3rd.
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Offenses to Target for DraftKings Stacking
Seattle Mariners LHB and RHB vs Eddie Butler
There may not be a more obvious stack candidate in DFS Monday than the Mariners’ offense against Eddie Butler. The only question is whether to use LHB’s (.993 OPS against Butler), RHB’s (.833 OPS), or both. Butler has been indiscriminately bad at Coors Field this season, boasting a 1.94 WHIP and 5.96 ERA. Each of the big bats in Seattle’s lineup will be worth the money this evening- $5,000 for Robinson Cano, $5,900 for Nelson Cruz- with additional lineup pieces like Logan Morrison and Mark Trumbo warranting consideration as we draw closer to gametime.
Arizona Diamondbacks RHB vs Doug Fister
Although coming off a victory in his previous outing, Doug Fister’s peripherals suggest he’s due to continue his disappointing 2015 campaign Monday night against the Diamondbacks. Fister’s 4.47 FIP and .367 batting average surrendered to RHB are unsustainable and rife for trouble against a resurging Arizona offense (.284 team BA over past seven games). Paul Goldschmidt and Yasmany Tomas ($5,600 and $3,500, respectively) will be worth an investment, as will red hot catcher Welington Castillo (four home runs in past seven games, $2,900 price tag).
Note: be wary of adding center fielder A.J. Pollock into the mix. The Arizona All-Star has been sidelined with a hamstring injury the past two games and may not be worth the lofty $4,500 salary.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for DraftKings
Jon Lester (SP, CHC) - $10,400
The recent hot streak of Jon Lester is one that would be foolish to ignore for DFS purposes. Lester struck out 14 batters while allowing only two runs in his previous outing, lowering his WHIP in the month of July to 0.76. He’ll look to earn his expensive price tag Monday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who enter the night with a .167 BA in LHB vs. LHP match-ups.
Mike Foltynewicz (SP, ATL) - $5,200
Several factors against Foltynewicz have resulted in his reduced price tag for Monday’s game against the Giants. The 23 year old right-hander’s inability to command his electric fastball (1.58 WHIP on the season) earned him a bullpen stint and demotion to Triple A Gwinnett in early July. In his last outing since his recall, however, Foltynewicz reminded fantasy owners just how high his ceiling is, striking out eight batters over six innings en route to a tough-luck loss. Foltynewicz’s elevated .373 BABIP suggests he’s better than the numbers he’s produced thus far in 2015. Look for him to provide K’s at a cheap rate at home against San Francisco.
DFS Infielders to Consider for DraftKings
Adam Lind (1B, MIL) - $3,800
Lind continues to excel in an otherwise mediocre Milwaukee Brewers lineup, picking up two hits in each of his last two games. Lind is cheaper than many other 1B options tonight, has a career home run against his opposing pitcher (Tyson Ross) and boasts a .956 OPS at home this season.
Logan Forsythe (2B, TB) - $3,600
Forsythe remains one of the more undervalued middle infielders in fantasy this season. Priced significantly below Rougned Odor, Jason Kipnis, and the struggling Jose Altuve, Forsythe will be riding a .912 OPS over his past 14 games into Monday’s clash with the Chicago White Sox. Forsythe hit opposing pitcher Jose Quintana well in their previous encounter, going 2-3 with a three run homer.
Anthony Rendon (3B, WAS) - $3,200
Monday night may be our last chance at such a cheap price for a perennial fantasy standout at third base. Rendon, whose 2015 production has been diminished by quad injuries, has shown recent signs of life at the plate (.320 BA over his past seven games including a home run). Rendon is no longer the stolen base threat he once was, but look for him to continue his recent offensive surge against rookie Arizona starter Zach Godley.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for DraftKings
Mike Trout (OF, LAA) - $5,500
If one is inclined to spend their DraftKings budget on bats, Mike Trout should prove to be an excellent lineup anchor. Adding to an already remarkable season, Trout put up a 1.309 OPS over his past seven games. With an OPS over 1.000 in match-ups against RHP’s and in home games, Trout appears to be well worth the money against Corey Kluber and the Indians Monday night.
Michael Taylor (OF, WAS) - $3,500
Taylor has been one of the more under-the-radar power/speed combinations in fantasy this year. While shortcomings of his offensive approach have limited his value to deeper leagues, he remains a cheap DFS source of XBH’s and stolen bases. With three home runs over his past 10 games (and a grand slam this season at Chase Field), he’s worth a flier tonight against the Diamondbacks.
Ben Paulsen (OF, COL) - $3,200
Following a four RBI series in St. Louis, Paulsen looks to resume his torrid Coors Field hitting tonight against the Seattle Mariners. Batting .310 with a .961 OPS at home this season, Paulsen has proven to be an inexpensive DFS source of power and average for home match-ups. While players should exercise caution any time they select a hitter against Felix Hernandez, Paulsen’s price point reduces risk and maximizes reward.
DFS Trap of the Night
Lucas Duda (1B, NYM) - $4,600
Duda’s inflated DraftKings salary is not unwarranted (nine home runs in 28 at-bats in a remarkable feat for any hitter). It should be noted, however, that he’s fared poorly against Monday night starter Tom Koehler in his career, managing just three hits in 27 plate appearances (and zero career home runs in Marlins Park). DFS players are better served shelling out premium money elsewhere.
Most Valuable $2,000 Player of the Night
Ketel Marte (SS, SEA) - $2,000
DFS players should reap the benefits of the cheap price tag on this exciting young shortstop. Marte kick-started his MLB career with a three-hit game in Minnesota this past weekend. His slash line at Triple A Tacoma suggests he’ll profile at the Major League level as a gap-to-gap hitter with above average speed (20 stolen bases in his 2015 Triple A season). Assuming he receives the start Monday night, look for him to provide some dirt-cheap offense and speed.
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