Now this is what I call a nice Monday slate.  There are 12 games on the Main DFS slate tonight, and that doesn’t include two early Turbo slate games as 28 teams are in action all total today. In case you are itching to get an early start tonight, those two 6PM EST early window games are Blue Jays at Orioles and Marlins at Tigers.  I mention this, because it’s trending that we will miss Ryan Mountcastle week, specifically Ryan Mountcastle vs Yusei Kikuchi on Wednesday this week.  I for one, cannot fucking wait. WEATHER Nats at White Sox:  PPD risk.  Rain. Cubs at Braves:  Similar, but less PPD risk   ZACH EFLIN (DK: $8200, FD: $8900) … There is just one hitter which is a slight concern and that is Tyler O’Neill, who if you are into doing a SGP with some props on this game probably gets a 2 out double at some point tonight.  The 5-9 portion of the Boston lineup should not be able to have much luck against Eflin and is likely going to be in a bunch of 0-1, 1-2 type counts tonight, allowing him to control the game. BRADY SINGER(DK: $8800, FD: $9300) & GEORGE KIRBY (DK: $9000, FD: $9400) … This is a very tough call between Kirby and Singer.  The upside for Singer is that the Royals will let him go up to 100+ pitches, while Kirby still seems to have some training wheels on him when he gets into trouble.  So you certainly have greater reward with Kirby here but I trust Singer to continue with a very good form that he has right now.  The Royals pitching staff is taking notes with the proper coaching they’re getting and the starters should thrive here in what has been a very pitcher friendly park in recent years (for whatever reason). Other Pitching Thoughts … Both the Eflin/Crawford and Singer/Kirby games could be ones you can legit consider SP game stacks on. Im hesitant to trust Mitch Keller in B2B good starts and the Brewers have plenty of experience facing him.  Expect him to not make it through 6 IP. Sean Manaea will pitch decent vs the Phillies, but no K and no need for that tonight.  Similar scene for Christopher Sanchez.   ATHLETICS Rooker, Toro, Brown I think I like Oakland WAY too much for a Monday, but they should smash Arrighetti and are dirt cheap, a perfect full […]

Happy Mothers Day to the Mom’s out there.  MLB is so thankful for you that Jose Urena is pitching again and this time in Coors Field.  But he is only on the FanDuel Main slate, as DK wisely kept it off theirs. WEATHER ARZ at BAL:  Could see mid game showers but it might not even be enough for them to bring the tarp out.   Look, Ragans sucked last night.  I get it.  Let’s move on, we have MacKenzie Gore pitching today everyone!  Alek Manoah too! ZACK WHEELER (DK: $11,500, FD: $11,200) … 100 pitches, 8 strikeouts, maybe an earned run.  The NL Cy Young leader so far this season (yes, it’s early) is getting the Marlins and Mr. Sunday Jazz down in their own park.  Can he avoid a Jazz homer?  Probably.  I actually do think Burger also is a touch match-up for him, so you might be wondering why pay the 11.5k for two trouble spots?  Because, let me introduce you to Josh Bell, Tim Anderson, Nick Gordon and Vidal Brujahahahahahahan. JUSTIN VERLANDER (DK: $8500, FD: $9600) … There really isn’t much in the 7k-9k range today that pops off with a ton of cheap pitchers going overall and so to see Verlander priced here might feel weird considering that we know he will pitch well back in Comerica Park and is coming off a performance where the Yankees touched him up.  It’s an easy spot to bounce back for him today, but there isn’t any reason to expect some vintage 28-31 type performance.  Steady, reliable, Verlander. The Sunday Sleeper MILES MIKOLAS (DK: $6000, FD: $7200) … Below is a GIF of Mikolas when he hears that he is the Sunday Sleeper.  I don’t want to over sell this one, but just a gut call on the Cards/Brewers game being a low scoring spot, in which the Cardinals finally get a win and Mikolas who always pitches well in Milwaukee gives them 6+ of shutout ball… Other Pitching Thoughts … Gore vs Bello is a very interesting spot.  Boston is cold and Washington isn’t striking out once again, so you would figure Gore is the better play, but I can’t trust it as I see Boston still having too much HR upside and Bello is pitching well but maybe not well enough to pick on the Nats.  50/50 game, I’ll avoid. Ober, Kremer, Gallen … These are […]

WEATHER Texas at Colorado:  Rain showers coming through tonight, game could have a delay, but should not PPD.   I do not see how the best DK build tonight is avoiding pay up for pitching. COLE RAGANS (DK: $9500, FD: $10.3k) … I’m telling you right now, the Angels are on no-hit watch tonight.  Sure, there was a funny scenario where MLB Network said the same thing for Yoshi and the first pitch was a HR allowed, but the Angels without Trout at home on Saturday night should get mowed down by Ragans.  Anaheim is the worst projected lineup on the slate in pitchtype/split match-up and his 7.5 strikeout prop to me feels as safe as they come tonight. FREDDY PERALTA (DK: $10.4k, FD: $10.5k) … Screw the Cardinals.  End analysis. Extra Option BRYCE MILLER (DK: $9200, FD: $10k) … Should be just fine here and likely gets a better K% performance than he has lately.  Oakland offers some upside in swings and misses which 2 of his last 3 opponents did not.  So don’t fear the game logs, Miller’s viable to get back towards 27%+ CSW rates, which translates well into a 6+ strikeout game and some length as well. Other Pitching Thoughts … I like Nick Lodolo for similar reasons as Andrew Abbott (who didn’t quite come through) last night, but he is well behind Cole and Freddy in the high end SP department today.   RANGERS … (Seager, Lowe) – We can play here without fear of a PPD in my mind and Feltner is an easy spot for Seager/Lowe to get going. REDS … (Friedl, De La Cruz, Steer) – Sneaky spot as the game in San Francisco is actually an afternoon game, so the first three innings are really key before it dies.  Thus, the top of the order is the spot to focus on.  Friedl/DLC/Steer. BREWERS … (Turang, Yelich, Hoskins) ROYALS … (Garcia, Renfroe, Witt) MARINERS … (Raleigh, Polanco, France)     CATCHER Will Smith Shea Langeliers … The one trouble spot for Miller today. Cal Raleigh   FIRST BASE Nate Lowe Rhys Hoskins Josh Naylor Spencer Steer   SECOND BASE Brice Turang Gavin Lux Xander Bogaerts   THIRD BASE Maikel Garcia Jose Ramirez Josh H Smith   SHORTSTOP Corey Seager Elly De La Cruz Bobby Witt Jr.   OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore Christian Yelich TJ Friedl Fernando Tatis Jr. Julio Rodriguez   OUTFIELD […]

June 8th, 2010.   Standing on a field in Hamilton, VA along with a bunch of other Dad’s as our sons were playing Little League Baseball, we had zero concern for what was going on the field in front of us that day and all the attention for what was going on about 50 miles away at Nationals Park in Washington, DC.   That was when Stephen Strasburg was making his debut and mowing down the Pirates in one of the most anticipated and dominant debuts by a rookie pitcher ever. Most rookie pitchers do not have that success out of the gates, but there are unicorns sometimes and Strasburg was definitely a unicorn.  His career derailed by injuries most seasons and the perception that he was a bad DFS pitcher a lot too because of those injuries.  In reality, Strasburg was one of the best pitchers we have seen in the last 20 years but much like Tim Lincecum, he couldn’t finish with the full stats because of his injuries. This all leads me to Paul Skenes’ day.  Another highly touted college arm who is going to have all eyes on him as he makes his debut, one which we would hope involves many camera shots to his girlfriend every time he whiffs a Cub today.  I don’t know if Skenes will be as good as Strasburg, but I know the hype should be up there with it today and if he comes anywhere close to was Stras’ did on that weeknight back in 2010, then we’ll have another great Baseball memory today.   WEATHER Aaaaaaaaaaaand it’s gonna rain in Pittsburgh.  Mother fucker.   MAX FRIED (DK: $8600, FD: $9100) … They just keep giving us a free gift here, so we will continue to take this.  A 10k pitcher who is under 9k in a good pitchers park coming off three straight excellent starts?  Lock and load. After Max, it’s a mix of guys who are pitching well, facing lineups that can be easy to get through and have enough confidence that I think they’re all the same.  But, yet, none of them really excite me.  The group includes Nestor Cortes, Zack Littell and Taijuan Walker Justin Steele has some weather concerns in the match-up against Skenes, who also has that same risk of not going deep enough and he isn’t priced like a rookie, so neither is going to […]

A very happy Friday afternoon to each and every one of you, and happy Skenes-eve to all who celebrate.  There are three early games today which begin in the 6PM Turbo window and then a well sized 12 game MAIN slate tonight. WEATHER We have a slight chance of a delayed start in the following games below, however each of them should play. ARZ at BAL ATL at NYM WSH at BOS   TYLER GLASNOW (DK: $10,900, FD: $11,300) … Pitcher #1 is from the late night side & we are into May which means when you have an ace pitcher who is in great form every 5 days you just lock them in when the opponent isn’t that scary.  The Padres, while hitting the ball hard of late, are not that scary in my book.  Trust Glasnow to continue his very efficient run in Dodger Blue as he should go 7 innings and push 10+ strikeouts. ANDREW ABBOTT (DK: $6700, FD: $8300) … Asking for a friend, who do you really trust on the fucking Giants to hit right now and with Jorge Soler out of the lineup that is one less lefty masher we have to worry about.  Abbott’s lights out right now vs LHH as well, so if he see’s the good Giants lefties then that’s even more of an advantage to him. CHARLIE MORTON (DK: $7900, FD: $9300) … The Mets have hit well away from Citi Field, but are back home in a chilly stadium that’s gonna play very friendly to Morton today.  He has a projected 30% pitch-type whiff matchup against their projected lineup and like Glasnow is in good enough/consistent form.  Something that matters big time for a veteran. OTHER PITCHING THOUGHTS Jon Gray back in Coors Field tonight – don’t be shocked if he pitches 4 innings really well and then falls apart. Robert Gasser (LHP) is making his debut for Milwaukee, he is 5k on DraftKings against a team I project to finally wake up (for a day).   CARDINALS Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, Dylan Carlson Arenado and Goldy in Miller Park against a southpaw making his debut.  I don’t care how much they suck this year, I smell fresh meat and I am going to eat. PHILLIES Alec Bohm, JT Realmuto, Nick Castellanos, Bryston Stott Long time DFS players (includes me) have a bad habit sometimes of blindly ignoring certain […]

WEATHER ARZ at CIN:  This could be ugly, but a window will open up for them to try and play.   GEORGE KIRBY (DK: $9000, FD: $9500) … This is your game for pitchers, one you could conceivably just game stack and hope for another good Paddack performance.  I don’t love Paddack most nights, so against the better arm I will take, said better arm. AARON CIVALE (DK: $8800, FD: $8500) … So, he isn’t pitching very well of late.  Big deal.  The re-match start vs the White Sox will go his favor this time and Civale gets back on track with a 5+ IP and 5+ strikeout with limited damage performance.  Seriously, Nicky Lopez is not going to be the man to kill him tonight and neither will Thomas Pham or Gavin Sheets.  Civale isn’t gonna go off, but he won’t struggle again. JORDAN HICKS (DK: $6800) … This is DK only.  Swings and misses are critical in Coors and the gas that Hicks has should get him enough of that to produce a good enough sore for 6.8k. OTHER PITCHING THOUGHTS Chris Sale and Nick Pivetta will have identical stat lines tonight.  Neither will finish the 5th.  Both will have 4-6 strikeouts and both will give up 4 ER.   RED SOX vs BRAVES Connor Wong, Tyler O’Neill, Garrett Cooper Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies Start here.  We have one of the best narratives in the Dongers Club with Chris Sale facing a recent former catcher teammate and also a lineup that should wake up in a big way after a long stretch without many homers. Meanwhile, Atlanta vs Nick Pivetta?  Hey, welcome to the fucking season Matt Olson and Austin Riley.  Nice of you fellas to join us… ORIOLES vs NATIONALS Ryan Mountcastle, Anthony Santander Baltimore is going to take Mitchell Parker down to the Anacostia River tonight and that’s not a good thing for him.  Happy Mountcastle/Santander back to back first inning jacks.   CATCHER Connor Wong   FIRST BASE Matt Olson Garrett Cooper Ryan Mountcastle   SECOND BASE Ozzie Albies Amed Rosario Jose Altuve   THIRD BASE Austin Riley Rafael Devers Jordan Westburg   SHORTSTOP Anthony Volpe Nick Ahmed Gunnar Henderson   OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore Anthony Santander Tyler O’Neill Yordan Alvarez Josh Lowe   OUTFIELD – Value / Secondary Options Rob Refsnyder Joc Pederson   Connor Wong – C – Boston Red Sox […]

A perfect Wednesday for MLB and MLB DFS.  You have 8 games early and 7 games late.  You have the Angels vs the Pirates at 12:35 on a fucking Wednesday in May.  How could you not look at today and say, wow, today is gonna be a good day? Brady Singer is pitching too! WEATHER NYM @ STL:  Potential heavy/severe storms rolling through which could deter the pitchers from having a clean game.  I do expect the full game to play however.  Notably the weather could impact Sonny Gray.   TANNER BIBEE (DK: $8400, FD: $9000) … Bounce back spot, game should go the way of the Tribe. BRADY SINGER (DK: $8600, FD: $9600) … Singer is becoming consistent, something I absolutely love and the CSW% rates are much more reliable this season.  There’s probably a 2-run HR to Hoskins in this game, but otherwise I see a 6 IP and 7 K game. HAYDEN WESNESKI (DK: $6400, FD: $7400) … Hope for no heavy limit on PC now, and he is your best cheap SP2 option.   OTHER PITCHING THOUGHTS Aaron Nola has a history of putting together these streaks both good and bad, and a not very Nola like start his last outing could carry over here, along with very warm and favorable hitting conditions a the CBP. Sorry Jack Leiter, but rules are rules.  We have trends and we have system plays and one of the Dongers Club system plays is BAGO.  Blowouts?  Always.  Go.   Opposite. the next day. I hate when Cease has to face a team a second time and the Cubs did see him (didnt do well) in San Diego earlier.   PHILLIES Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh This offense is white hot and Bassitt vs LHB and in a small park never works out too well. BLUE JAYS Beaux Bichette, George Springer, Daulton Varsheaux ATHLETICS Shea Langaleirs, Brent Rooker, Seth Brown GUARDIANS Jose Ramirez, Bo Naylor   CATCHER Shea Langaleirs Bo Naylor Salvador Perez JT Realmuto   FIRST BASE Bryce Harper Vlad Guerrero Jr. Nate Lowe   SECOND BASE Abaraham Toro Andres Gimenez PUNT   THIRD BASE Jose Ramirez Bubba from Forrest Gump Jose Ramirez   SHORTSTOP Did I mention Jose Ramirez is the only 3B to consider today? Bo Bichette Tim Anderson   OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore Kyle Schwarber … I saw a pride month parade sign today.  So, you know what to […]

I know we need to just get over it, but the continuing two slate nights when the games all start close to each other is really downgrading MLB DFS experience.  Tonight, a Tuesday, in fucking May, we have just 8 games on the MAIN slate because we can’t have the five 6:40 PM games included as well.  This is a really bad experience in my mind, but alas, we move on. WEATHER Just a tornado watch in Chicago.  Nothing to see here   Just two guys I trust enough to build around today.  Yoshi is not a bad pivot here either if you are worried about weather in Wrigley, but Imanaga is on fire and should mow down the Padres with a ton of ground ball outs. SHOTA IMANAGA (DK: $10,300, FD: $10,600) … Weather a big concern but once it starts I trust it to play SETH LUGO (DK: $7200, FD: $9700) … The run support will be good and Lugo is Mr get me by.  If he is 7200, we take a bite OTHER PITCHING THOUGHTS Kutter Crawford and Yoshi are the pivots off Shota I know Verlander has had some big games in Yankee Stadium – but this is a new time and Juan Soto is going to light him up tonight.  We could see 3 HR from the Yankees in total off JV today.  A good contrarian spot IMO.   GIANTS Jung Hoo Lee, LaMonte Wade Jr, Jorge Soler, Michael Conforto Nobody transitions from one hitters park to another like a team from San Francisco, right?  But in this case, they go from facing a good pitching staff to the Rockies which is no doubt a chalky spot with the below proper pricing on the Giants lineup ROYALS Maikel Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr, Michael Massey, Vinnie Pasquantino Witt’s gonna jack one over the center fielders head tonight.  Yes, it will be a sinker.  Vinnie is struggling to get that huge hit, but Garcia/Witt being stacked without him feels silly. YANKEES Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo Contrarian build today would be Yankees/Astros going to the moon.   CATCHER Salvador Perez Mitch Garver Reese McGuire   FIRST BASE LaMonte Wade Jr. Vinnie Pasquantino Michael Busch   SECOND BASE Jeff McNeil Edouard Julien Michael Massey   THIRD BASE Rafael Devers Alex Bregman Austin Riley   SHORTSTOP Bobby Witt Jr. Francisco Lindor Mookie Betts   OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore Juan Soto […]

Broken down by pricing tiers, Mark Farris outlines his favorite PGA DFS plays on DraftKings

I am back and so too is Walker Buehler as he makes his Dodgers season debut tonight and first appearance in the Majors since 2022.  The main slate tonight doesn’t lock until 7:40 because God forbid that we include the three early games starting at 6:10, 6:40 and 6:40 on the Main slate as well.  This means you miss out on Tigers/Guardians, Angels/Pirates and White Sox/Rays.  You know what.  Thank you DraftKings and FanDuel.  If you are playing with those teams or even watching those games then I am truly sorry. WEATHER Milwaukee at Kansas City:  Not ideal here as lots of storms are coming through while Cole Ragans takes the mound.  This definitely could be a delay-start-delay-start-finish type scenario. Update – They have moved the start time up to 6:10 on this game.  But I haven’t seen anything from DraftKings yet as to what they are doing with the game on the slate.  IF they move the slate up, I would be shocked, but we would want to take Ragans   LUIS CASTILLO (DK: $9600, FD: $10200) I can’t find a legit sales pitch to you on not playing Castillo today.  The Twins win streak has ended & they’re not destroying Castillo tonight to avoid using him.  This series SHOULD have some homers in it though and there will be one from a Twins lefty off Castillo tonight, likely early from Kiriloff.  There will also be a 7 strikeout finishing number for Castillo today. ANDREW HEANEY (DK: $6600, FD: $7700) Yes, Oakland is winning games and just had a WILD series with the Marlins.  This is a divisional spot, I trust the pitching battery on the Rangers side to handle things and a night Oakland Coliseum game is favorable for the pitching to not get murdered. OTHER PITCHING THOUGHTS Cole Ragans is without a doubt the top option today but weather is going to be a huge risk.  If the game starts in a delay then we are hoping they see a clear window to let him go out and pitch and in that scenario I trust it, if not then I would avoid.  DFS players are smart enough and most risk adverse by default (despite blowing their money on shitty teams) so I don’t think he is heavy chalk if they start in a delay.  The other nice thing is that it’s the first game on the slate, […]