Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: MLB DraftKings Studs and Duds for April 6
Ah, Opening Day in the MLB. The sound coming from the crack of the bat. Seeing a starting pitcher toeing the rubber on a fresh mound. There's nothing like it in baseball until October, and it's a sight DraftKings players everywhere have been pining for all winter.
Monday presents a brazen new season for every franchise and a great opportunity for daily owners to start on a hot streak. With so many options, filling out a perfect lineup can be an arduous task. Here's a look at the top stars to target and steer away from at key positions on Opening Day.
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Studs
Pitcher: Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians ($9,800)
A defending Cy Young winner with the sixth-highest salary on Opening Day? Yeah, owners should definitely tab Corey Kluber as their No. 1 pitcher.
Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer and Felix Hernandez are all solid targets, but at over $11,000 for each, none have the same value that Kluber presents in the season opener.
None of those aforementioned starters face a lineup as porous as the Houston Astros', either. George Springer, Chris Carter and Evan Gattis might strike fear into pitchers, but they are also inconsistent power hitters. Facing a team that ranked 25th in batting average and 21st in runs scored last season, Kluber will shine for daily owners.
Infielder: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves ($4,400)
Let's get this out of the way: The Atlanta Braves' lineup is an eyesore. It's actually worse than the close of last season with Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and Gattis all dealt during the offseason.
However, one massive power hitter is still on the roster, and his name is Freddie Freeman. Even in an inept lineup, Freeman will still produce in the middle after a torrid spring training. Not only did he drive in a home run in his final tuneup on Saturday, but Freeman was also torching down in Florida, per Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan:
Of all the starting pitchers toeing the rubber on Monday, Henderson Alvarez is also the least threatening for owners. The left-handed slugger has a .333 average against the right-hander in his career with a homer, three doubles and five RBI in 15 at-bats.
Even on a depleted roster, Freeman will still put together a solid fantasy season. He'll start those great numbers by continuing to tear apart the Miami Marlins.
Outfielder: Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates ($5,100)
I know what you're thinking: "Well, duh." If any player should be a centerpiece in Opening Day rosters, it should either be Mike Trout or Andrew McCutchen. Given the pitching matchups for both, the Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder is the better target.
Simply put, Trout faces Felix Hernandez, while McCutchen is battling Johnny Cueto. The Cincinnati Reds ace is outstanding, but McCutchen has gone .288/.373/.593 with four home runs and four doubles against Cueto in his career.
For anyone worried about the Pirates star potentially entering the season with an injury, McCutchen clarified his status with Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Given his success against Cueto and expectations coming into the season, look for McCutchen to start strong. Even at the hefty price, he will be worth it for DraftKings owners.
Duds
Pitcher: James Shields, San Diego Padres ($8,900)
The San Diego Padres did some huge wheeling and dealing this offseason, and James Shields was one of the biggest pieces. So why wouldn't he be a great start for fantasy owners? San Diego's new ace just so happens to be facing an explosive offense and the reigning National League MVP and Cy Young winner.
Matt Calkins of U-T San Diego put Shields' first start in perspective:
"Imagine Donald Trump walking into a party and seeing Bill Gates across the room. Or maybe driving your new Ferrari home and spotting your neighbor's Bugatti.
You have to think that this is what Padres pitcher James Shields is going to feel like tomorrow. The $75 million ace is making his National League debut...against Clayton freakin' Kershaw.
"
Going against Clayton Kershaw nearly locks in either a loss or no-decision for any starting pitcher. Even for a pitcher of Shields' caliber, the Padres starter is in a rough position on Monday. With so many other potential Ferraris in the garage, choose one that faces an easier lineup or, you know, isn't facing a Bugatti.
Infielder: Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds ($3,800)
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Coming off his least productive season with the Cincinnati Reds, Brandon Phillips is hoping to turn things around in 2015. After a drastic move by manager Bryan Price, he'll have to do so from the seventh spot in the lineup, per C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Hitting just eight home runs and driving in 51 RBI in 2014, this big-name second baseman isn't a smart target for DraftKings owners. Dustin Pedroia has a lower price tag, while Brian Dozier and Ian Kinsler are only slightly more pricey.
There's no reason why Phillips should be inserted into lineups, especially at the No. 7 spot against Francisco Liriano.
Outfielder: Steven Souza Jr., Tampa Bay Rays ($4,300)
This seems like an obvious choice for fans of the game, but Steven Souza Jr.'s production thus far at the MLB level doesn't warrant this salary. Even with the recent acquisition set to bat second for the Tampa Bay Rays, daily owners shouldn't pay over $4,000 to start him.
Baltimore Orioles starter Chris Tillman doesn't strike fear into opposing batters, but Souza's inexperience at the MLB level makes him an unknown commodity on Opening Day. Instead, spend less money on Nelson Cruz ($4,100) or Matt Kemp ($4,000) at an outfield spot.
Ready for baseball? DraftKings is hosting a $15,000 FREE contest for MLB Opening Day. Spots are limited, so get in now!
Follow R. Cory Smith on Twitter for more CBB, NHL and MLB DraftKings advice.
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