DraftKings Lineup Help: August 26
By Bill Pivetz
Aug 23, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
August 26 features all 30 teams taking the field. The first game, Houston Astros at New York Yankees, begins at 1:05 pm. This gives you the opportunity to pick all of the players when constructing your lineup. Whether you are using an ace starting pitcher or power hitter as your building block, there are a lot of ways to spend your money and make a winning lineup. This article focuses on the price points and PPG based on DraftKings scoring.
When I construct my lineups, I like to pick a high-priced starting pitcher first and build around them first. However, that mostly depends on who is pitching on that specific day. There are a lot of good pitchers taking the mound today. Whether it’s Clayton Kershaw, Madison Bumgarner or some other pitcher, there are many ways to go.
If you decide to start with a hitter, I usually spend a lot on a shallow position, like shortstop. Granted, there are some viable options for cheap, but I like to solidify at least one position with a stud. With the way some of these batters are hitting, you are likely to spend a hefty part of your budget on a power guy. So, a guy like Josh Donaldson or Joey Votto is going to cost 10 percent or more of your salary.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, I usually don’t spend a lot of money on the catcher position. For today, I definitely do not like any of the top options. I do not feel comfortable spending on Travis d’Arnaud or Brian McCann, so I will scroll down the list for a cheaper option.
For my lineup construction, especially with the two-pitcher set-up DraftKings uses, I like to spend a lot on a No. 1 pitcher and then fill out some of my hitters before going back for the second pitcher. If you decide to go with two ace pitchers, your batters are going to suffer. With seven pitchers priced over $12,000, you may want to ease off of that strategy.
Without further ado, here is my suggested lineup for DraftKings for the August 26 games. None of the players I picked are playing in the HOU @ NYY game.
Next: Starting Pitchers
Aug 20, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Pitcher 1: Chris Archer, vs. MIN, $12,800
I wrote about Archer’s recent string of poor outings last week. Just hours later after I post that article, he pitches the game of the season. He pitched a one-hit, one-walk shutout while striking out 11 batters. Archer faces the Minnesota Twins today. The Twins are 26th in batting average and 29th in on-base percentage in the month of August. In DraftKings scoring, strikeouts are worth two points each. Of the starting pitchers going today, Archer has the best chance to score 20 points on strikeouts alone.
Pitcher 2: Yohan Flande, @ATL, $4,400
To be honest, I’ve never heard of Flande. However, after looking into his numbers, I like him against the Atlanta Braves. As a starter, Flande is 2-0 with a 3.90 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 18:7 K:BB ratio. While he has given up seven home runs in 27.2 innings, the Braves aren’t hitting for power. The offense has just 17 home runs (29th), 83 RBI (27th) and a .382 slugging percentage (26th) this month. Plus, the Braves are sending out Shelby Miller, who has a 5-10 record, so there is a good chance Flande picks up the win. For the price, he is a good No. 2 pitcher.
Next: Infield
Aug 22, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA: Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jung Ho Kang (27) rounds the bases after hitting his second solo home run of the game against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
C: Miguel Montero, @SF, $3,100
Like I said in the beginning, I do not like spending on a catcher. Passing up the top three or four guys allowed me to fill the other positions with top-tier hitters. However, Montero is not a bad option. Over the last 15 days, Montero has 11 hits (four home runs) and 10 RBI. He, and the rest of the Chicago Cubs, have a favorable matchup against Jake Peavy. For just $3,100, you can’t pass up using Montero today.
1B: Anthony Rizzo, @SF, $4,600
See above for exploiting the matchup. Over the last 15, Rizzo has four home runs and 14 RBI. Rizzo is a top-five hitter because of the out-of-nowhere speed. Though, he has just one stolen base in his last 30 games. Regardless, Rizzo is still a top-three first baseman and is a no-doubt play against the San Francisco Giants.
2B: Robinson Cano, vs. OAK, $4,100
Only $4,100 on DraftKings? Why not use Cano? The first half of the season was a struggle. He had just six home runs. Yet, he already matched his 2014 home run total of 14 with about a month left in the season. The Oakland Athletics are sending out Chris Bassitt for this game. He’s been a serviceable pitcher this season. Though, Cano and the Seattle Mariners are fifth in slugging and home runs this month. Cano will likely hit his 15th homer this season.
3B: Matt Duffy, vs. CHC, $3,800
I would have used Donaldson, but spending $6,300 on a third baseman, even one of his caliber, was too much for me. So I went with Duffy. He hasn’t hit well in recent games. Duffy does not have an RBI in his last nine games. In that span, he has just two multi-hit games. But with the matchup against Kyle Hendricks, 4.03 ERA, he should be able to get back on track. His .309 batting average is a sign that he is still hitting the ball, but just not for power.
SS: Jung Ho Kang, @MIA, $4,000
Has there been a better shortstop in recent weeks? I own him on my season-long team and he’s been one of my best pickups. He had a two home run game on August 22. The Pittsburgh Pirates lineup is one of the more dangerous ones in the league currently, and Kang is a big contributor to that. There wasn’t much of a difference in price between Kang and the other shortstops, so you can switch some players if you wanted to go with the top guys.
Next: Outfield
Aug 18, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) hits a double and drives in a run during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
OF: Nelson Cruz, vs. OAK, $5,000
I was down on Cruz when he moved to Seattle. However, he’s been proving me wrong all season. He had 40 home runs last year. He has 38 so far this season. While the ballpark was a downgrade, Cruz is still crushing the ball at 35 years old. He is doing it all right now, scoring runs, driving them in and getting on base. He has a .308 batting average at home with 12 home runs. His DraftKings price was a little steep, but going cheaper at the other two outfield positions allowed me to break the bank for Cruz.
OF: Mookie Betts, @CWS, $4,200
Betts has been good for Boston all season. He had 10 home runs before hitting the disabled list. Since returning on August 11, he has just one homer. However, he has a .323 batting average with four doubles, one triple, one homer, 11 RBI and four stolen bases. While he is facing the dominant Chris Sale, Betts can get on and steal a base.
OF: Kyle Schwarber, @SF, $3,900
While he is catcher eligible, Schwarber is priced just right as an outfielder. He is the third Cubs hitter I used in my lineup. As I mentioned with Montero and Rizzo, the matchup is perfect. The Cubs have been crushing the ball, Schwarber included. He has six home runs and 14 RBI in his last 15 games. While his bat has cooled off since being called up, he is hitting .234 in August, he has plenty of power potential.
Next: Final Lineup
Aug 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber hits a three-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Here is my DraftKings lineup for August 26
P – Chris Archer
P – Yohan Flande
C – Miguel Montero
1B – Anthony Rizzo
2B – Robinson Cano
3B – Matt Duffy
SS – Jung Ho Kang
OF – Nelson Cruz
OF – Mookie Betts
OF – Kyle Schwarber
So, I think I went heavy with the power hitters. But, it makes sense. DraftKings rewards 10 points for each home run and two points per RBI. So, a two- or three-run home run can push your team into the green. Archer or Cruz can be considered my No. 1 piece because of the price at their respective position. I expect Archer to strikeout at least 10 batters, resulting in 20 extra points.
Again, this is my lineup. You obviously have different view on how to build your lineup. However, I think exploiting the Jake Peavy matchup with Cubs hitters is the way to go.