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Let’s get to today’s interesting facts, using DraftKings prices. We’ll use DK’s “all-day” slate, but please remember that there are three afternoon games, starting with Marlins-Cubs at 2:20 p.m. ET. Please note that much of the information in this post is being published several hours prior to game times, so check MLB lineups later to confirm that any recommended players are included.
5 Things to Watch:
1. Max Scherzer ($13,200) is the day’s biggest favorite at -230. The highest projected non-Coors run total is nine for Cardinals-Reds, Twins-Indians and A’s-Angels, while the lowest is seven for Rays-Royals.
2. Injuries, lineups, etc.: The Tigers will activate slugging OF J.D. Martinez ($3,700) from the DL today following a seven-week absence. Unfortunately, the Tigers face Chris Sale today. … Hanley Ramirez is day-do-day after jamming his left wrist on a staircase following Tuesday’s game. … Francisco Cervelli is day-to-day after getting hit in the head by a pitch. … Look for Dustin Pedroia to get today off.
3. Yo, BvPers: Victor Martinez ($3,200) is 18-for-36 with four homers vs. Chris Sale. I still don’t want to use him, but if you believe in BvP, V-Mart’s history here is hard to beat, and the price is right. … David Ortiz ($5,300) is 5-for-10 with three homers vs. Hisashi Iwakuma. … Michael Saunders ($4,400) is 5-for-12 with two homers vs. Collin McHugh. … Seth Smith ($3,200) is 9-for-16 with a 1.463 OPS vs. Rick Porcello, but hasn’t started since last Wednesday … Zack Cozart ($3,800) is 10-for-20 vs. Michael Wacha, but watch his status, as he’s day-to-day with a bruised finger.
4. The Yankees are expected to call up C Gary Sanchez ($2,600) in time for tonight’s game. Sanchez is batting .285 with 10 homers and an .813 OPS at Triple A, and could be in the lineup vs. Mets LHP Steven Matz.
5. It’s a day of mourning for DFS players, as Rockies SS Trevor Story — the eighth-best hitter for the season on a per-game basis — is out for the season due to a torn ligament in his thumb. See you next season, Trevor.
Yesterday’s recap:
Jacob deGrom was worthy of our must-start designation, throwing seven shutout innings and getting the win while striking out eight and racking up 32.2 DK points. Beyond that, David Dahl and a White Sox stack probably didn’t make you any money. I knew we should have stacked the Phillies against Madison Bumgarner!
Must-Start of the day: Max Scherzer, WAS
Arguably the best strikeout pitcher in baseball gets a lineup that’s 26th in strikeout ratio this year. It doesn’t hurt that Scherzer is a -230 favorite and his opponent is Zack Godley, the lowest-priced pitcher on DraftKings today. Don’t overthink it. Get Scherzer in your lineup and be thrifty elsewhere.
Deal of the day: Michael Wacha, STL
It’s rare to find a road favorite priced at $6,000, but that’s what Wacha gets against the Reds. He has decent strikeout power (103 K in 121 1/3 IP) and a good shot at a win against Cody Reed. If you want Mad Max or Johnny Cueto, you can save some cash with the Cardinals starter.
Avoid of the day: Nelson Cruz, SEA
Rick Porcello seems to have Cruz’s number, as Cruz is just 4-for-28 with 8 K against him lifetime.
Stack of the day: Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have a few things in their favor on Wednesday. Their bats are cheap, they have multiple stolen-base threats throughout the lineup, and Edwin Jackson has a 5.46 ERA and is averaging 3.0 points on DraftKings in his first 26 innings with the team. Stack your Brewers.
Starting pitchers:
Max Scherzer, WAS: “Must-Start of the day”
Jeff Locke, PIT: Not that he’s a world beater, but no pitcher should be priced below $5,000 when they get a matchup against the Braves and Rob Whalen. Locke hasn’t been good this year, but he’s a good play for a cheap win.
Michael Wacha, STL: “Deal of the day”
Catchers:
Stephen Vogt, OAK: He’s 9-for-28 with 2 HR against Jered Weaver lifetime.
Yasmani Grandal, LAD: He’s hitting .318 with 2 HR over his last seven games and has been on fire for the last month.
First basemen:
Mitch Moreland, TEX: He’s hitting .455 with 5 HR over his last seven games.
Victor Martinez, DET: He’s 18-for-36 with 4 HR lifetime against Chris Sale.
Second basemen:
Devon Travis, TOR: Hitting .359 over his last 10 games and is priced at only $4,100.
Trea Turner, WAS: Hitting .370 with 4 SB over his last seven games.
Third basemen:
Hernan Perez, MIL: Has 3 HR and 6 SB over his last 10 games and gets Edwin Jackson.
Nolan Arenado, COL: If you want a piece of the Coors Field action, Arenado gets unproven pitcher Brock Stewart.
Shortstops:
Jonathan Villar, MIL: Brewers stack.
Corey Seager, LAD: Hitting .367 over his last seven games and will be helped out by Coors Field.
Outfielders:
Ryan Braun, MIL: He’s 9-for-29 lifetime against Edwin Jackson and part of our stack.
Stephen Piscotty, STL: Has a 1.095 OPS against southpaws this season and gets Cody Reed, who has a 7.07 ERA and 1.79 WHIP this season.
Joc Pederson, LAD: Good chance for him to go yard at Coors Field, and he has 3 HR over his last seven games.
