Mother nature is testing everyone’s patience right now. This has been the craziest start to an MLB season of recent memory. Fortunately, the Twins and Indians should be able to get their game in this evening, as they travel to Puerto Rico to avoid the snow.
In a 12-game main slate, there is a great selection of pitchers and stacks to look at. Let’s dive into some of the best GPP options for tonight’s DraftKings main slate.
Pitchers
Corey Kluber (CLE): $12,100 @ MIN – but in Puerto Rico
The only proven ace on the mound tonight is Cleveland’s starter, Corey Kluber. One of the few “matchup proof” starters in the league, the previous Cy Young winner continues to dominate in 2018. Owning a 33.3% strikeout rate, 2.34 SIERA, and 2.32 xFIP, Kluber is nearly unhittable with major strikeout upside. The Twins are a good, contact hitting team, however, look for Kluber to continue his elite pitching form.
Shohei Ohtani (LAA): $10,900 vs. BOS
Boston travels across the country to take on 2018’s biggest story, Shohei Ohtani. It looks like the Angels investment will finally see his first big league test, taking on one of the best hitting teams in the league. Ownership will be down due to the fear of the Red Sox. Maybe a wise decision at a glance. But, in his two starts, Ohtani has a 23.5% swing and strike rate and a 40% K rate. He has allowed just four hits in his 13 innings of work. Obviously, these numbers cannot sustain themselves, however with ownership coming in so low on Ohtani, he has shown the upside to win a GPP.
Patrick Corbin (ARI): $9,800 vs. SF
Almost an embarrassment of riches, the Diamondbacks are quickly becoming a team with one of the best starting rotations in the MLB. Patrick Corbin has been downright nasty this year, showing elite strikeout upside. In his three starts this season, Corbin has recorded 9, 12, and 8 K’s against the Rockies, Dodgers, and Giants. Back at home, the D-backs will host the Giants. This is a much different Giants team than last year where strikeouts were hard to come by. Now with an aging Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria, there are more strikeouts to go around. Corbin comes in at a discount (compared to his fantasy production thus far) and should be considered in all formats.
Trevor Cahill (OAK): $5,100 vs. CWS
This is not a confident recommendation, by any means. However, there is a reason to look at the veteran starter, Trevor Cahill. Despite the scorching start from the Chicago White Sox, they have dramatically regressed, as expected. With just three runs in their last three games, the White Sox own the second highest strikeout rate over the last week and third lowest wOBA. Oakland’s starter, Daniel Mengden, shut this team down last night with ease and Cahill should be able to manage any potential damage. This is a pure salary-saving option who shouldn’t sink a lineup and allow the flexibility to pay-up for the expensive hitters.
Hitting Stacks
Chalk – High owned stacks
1.)Â Milwaukee Brewers
Whenever a game is being played in Milwaukee with the roof closed, we need to consider the hitting environment like Coors Field. The ball flies out of Miller Park. With a ton of power bats in the lineup, the Brewers are a stack that can pay off any night. This evening, the Reds starter Sal Romano will take the mound and could serve up a few long balls. In his first 15.1 innings this year, Romano has surrendered three home runs, nine walks, while recording just seven strikeouts. The Brewers have a 5.04 implied run total, making them the highest projected scoring team.
2.)Â Oakland A’s
The power hitters in Oakland have gained some attention and are now in another great scenario this evening when they take on Miguel Gonzalez. The White Sox starter has started the year with just an 8.3% K rate and 5.62 SIERA. He has increased his fastball usage by 6% this year which has increased the number of hits against. Oakland is currently ranked fifth in wOBA (.338) and fourth in wRC+ (118). The top half of the lineup has created a lot of power and is a very viable stack.
Low owned stacks
Houston Astros
Ariel Miranda will make his 2018 MLB debut tonight and thus continue to make DFS players a ton of money. In 2017, Miranda was among the very worst pitchers in all of baseball for giving up home runs. Owning a ridiculous 2.08 HR/9 last season, look for the power-hitting Astros to take advantage. Safeco Field is not a very hitter-friendly park, but it should not matter tonight. With the high price tag and lack of offense to start the season, the Astros should go overlooked.
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LA Angels
One of the hottest teams in the MLB is also in play tonight for stacking. The Angels take on Red Sox lefty, David Price. After getting shelled by the Yankees, Price left the game with some discomfort. Tonight, the Angels will likely throw out nine straight right-handed bats for Price to navigate through. With so many great options tonight for hitting, the Angels could very well go under-owned. Mike Trout will carry his usual 20-30% ownership, but the rest of the lineup should come in much lower. The Red Sox bullpen has not been great this year and should also struggle with a great offensive team.
Position-by-position
Catcher
Buster Posey $4,800 @ ARI
Yasmani Grandal $3,600 @ SD
Wilson Ramos $2,800 vs. TEX
Willson Contreras $3,900 vs. STL
First Base
Freddie Freeman $5,100 vs. PHI
Joey Votto $4,400 @ MIL
Yuli Gurriel $4,100 @ SEA
Cody Bellinger $4,100 @ SD
Matt Olson $4,000 vs. CWS
Jefry Marte $3,600 vs. BOS
Second Base
Jose Altuve $4,800 @ SEA
Zack Cozart $4,600 vs. BOS
Ozzie Albies $4,300 vs. PHI
Jed Lowrie $3,900 vs. CWS
Jason Kipnis $3,100 @ MIN
Third Base
Kris Bryant $5,100 vs. STL
Jose Ramirez $4,800 @ MIN
Matt Chapman $4,300 vs. CWS
Alex Bregman $4,100 @ SEA
Travis Shaw $4,100 vs. CIN
ShortstopÂ
Carlos Correa $4,800 @ SEA
Francisco Lindor $4,600 @ MIN
Andrelton Simmons $3,600 vs. BOS
Marcus Semien $3,500 vs. CWS
OutfieldÂ
Bryce Harper $5,200 @ NYM
Mike Trout $5,100 vs. BOS
Khris Davis $4,900 vs. CWS
George Springer $4,700 @ SEA
Justin Upton $4,500 vs. BOS
Kyle Schwarber $4,400 vs. STL
Yasiel Puig $4,400 @ SD
Lorenzo Cain $3,800 vs. CIN
Chris Taylor $3,700 @ SD
Matt Kemp $3,500 @ SD
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