MLB DFS: The Daily Diamond – 4/15
*All pricing references are based on DraftKings unless otherwise noted This article is designed to give you a head start/a brief look at the top pitcher and hitters on the slate from a cash game and single entry contest point of view. Obviously, you’re not going to put together a full lineup from the players listed below but that’s not the idea. The idea is to give you an early look and to point you in the right direction. Combined with all of the other articles and resources we have here at FullTime DFS, collectively we’ll have you in a great spot to cash! It’s great to be back after a week away in Arizona with the family. It was quite a week of baseball that I missed while I was away and I’m eager to get back into the swing of things (pun intended) with a good nine-game Monday slate, so let’s do it. Top Pitchers Aaron Nola (PHI) Nola has gotten off to a rocky start, to say the least but he’s too good to continue this for much longer. While the Mets bats have been swinging well, they come in after getting shut down by Julio Teheran, shocker, but perhaps, more importantly, they played the Sunday night game and now travel to Philly for a quick turnaround against Nola who has pitched well against them in his career. In a matchup of two top young pitchers, I’ll lean on Nola to have his best start thus far at home where he’s been dominant over his short career. Joey Lucchesi (SD) If not for Nolan Arenado’s three-run home run yesterday, Colorado would’ve been dominated by Derek Holland which has been a trend thus far for the Rockies; Pitchers dominating them. Lefties, like Joey Lucchesi, San Diego’s starter tonight, have eaten the Rockies up. Colorado has posted a 27.8 percent K rate against lefties, an abysmal .253 wOBA, and a poor .118 ISO against lefties. Nolan is worrisome here considering how well he plays in San Diego, but outside of him, this Rockies lineup doesn’t scare me. Yusei Kikuchi (SEA) Kikuchi has looked halfway decent thus far through three starts although his defense has let him down a bit, notably against the White Sox two starts ago in Chicago. The Indians offense is a disaster, there are really no two ways about it and if not for the shitty Royals bullpen, they wouldn’t have scored eight runs yesterday. Cleveland has the second-highest K rate (33.1 percent), fourth-lowest team ISO (.085), and fourth-lowest wOBA (.254) against left-handed pitching. Kikuchi is a value SP2 to consider. Bats to Build Around My top bats on the slate. Not to say that you should force all of these guys into your lineup(s), simply said, these are my favorite bats considering a number of variables. Joc Pederson (LAD) Luis Castillo has gotten off to a great start this season handling left-handed bats much better than he did last year. The young righty allowed a .373 wOBA, 2.06 HR/9, and a 43 percent hard-contact rate to lefties in 2018. Those numbers, again, are much improved early on here, however, two of his three starts have come against two teams in the Pirates and Marlins who lack left-handed firepower. The Dodgers, however, do not lack dangerous left-handed bats including Pederson. Joc should leadoff tonight and he’s off to a great start with a .456 wOBA, .450 ISO, and 57 percent hard-contact rate against righties. Travis Shaw (MIL) Shaw has gotten off to a bit of a cold start this season but he’s simply to underpriced in a good matchup at home. Dakota Hudson has allowed a .568 wOBA and 53 percent hard-contact rate to lefties thus far through two starts. Shaw posted a .285 ISO and .374 wOBA, 48 percent fly-ball rate, 21 percent HR/FB rate, and 43 percent hard-hit rate last season against righties and it’s just a matter of time before he gets going. Whit Merrifield (KC) Whit has hits in 13 of 14 games this season with multiple hits in six of those games and also offers stolen base upside against Ervin Santana who has a history of struggling with holding runners. Santana was rocked in his first start of the season allowing seven earned runs, three home runs, and walking three in 3.2 innings. Jose Abreu (CWS) This Royals-White Sox game looks to be a good one to target for offense. As I already touched on Whit, Abreu finds himself in a good matchup against Heath Fillmyer and an atrocious Royals bullpen. on Hillmyer, he’s shown to have some trouble handling the reverse split, notably, last season when he allowed a .345 wOBA, 1.95 HR/9, and 45 percent hard-contact rate. Abreu has a .297 ISO and .328 wOBA against righties this season and ha a career .362 wOBA and .217 ISO against righties. In 90 career games against the Royals, Abreu has a .873 OPS, 20 doubles, and 18 home runs, including a home run in two of the three games these two teams, have played this season. Quick Hits Favorite value bat: Brian Anderson (MIA) Low owned home run: Rhys Hoskins (PHI) Weakest position (generally a spot where I’ll look for value): Shortstop – Jorge Polanco (MIN), Corey Seager (LAD), Andrelton Simmons (LAA) GOOD LUCK!!
2019 Masters Tournament: DFS Game Plan
What is your DFS Game Plan for the Millionaire Maker? Go for the green with senior Fantasy Golf expert Shawn Childs for the 2019 Masters Tournament.
2019 Masters Tournament Cheatsheet: Take Down The DraftKings Millionaire
Shawn Childs provides his DFS PGA cheatsheet for the 2019 Masters, helping you take down the $1M first place prize out of $4M Fantasy Golf Millionaire.
MLB DFS: The Daily Diamond – 4/5
*All pricing references are based on DraftKings unless otherwise noted This article is designed to give you a head start/a brief look at the top pitcher and hitters on the slate from a cash game and single entry contest point of view. Obviously, you’re not going to put together a full lineup from the players listed below but that’s not the idea. The idea is to give you an early look and to point you in the right direction. Combined with all of the other articles and resources we have here at FullTime DFS, collectively we’ll have you in a great spot to cash! Top Pitchers Kevin Gausman (ATL) After missing his first scheduled start of the season with shoulder soreness, Gausman will make the start tonight against the visiting Marlins. Generally, I hesitate with pitchers returning from injury, especially early in the season, however, in this case, Gausman threw 90 pitches in a rehab start on Saturday and reports indicate that there were no setbacks and that he’s ready to go. The Marlins are going to struggle offensively all season long, to no one surprise, but they have struck out 31.8 percent of the time against right-handers early on, the highest mark in the league. I feel good about Gausman on a slate where the pitching is lacking any top end starters. Shane Bieber (CLE) Bieber should come in as an attractive play tonight, in fact, both pitchers should see some ownership here as they both did last night, more on that later. Bieber draws a matchup against the Blue Jays who have been lackluster offensively through two series’ so far, one against the Tigers and the other against the Orioles, both of which came at home against lackluster pitching staffs. They were mowed down through seven innings last night by Trevor Bauer and I would expect Bieber to have success against them tonight. Joe Musgrove (PIT) The Reds offense has not yet shown up and someone should let them know the season is in full swing because they’ve scored just 11 runs in six games, shockingly they’re 1-5 thus far. Musgrove, who was serviceable last season is priced in that mid-tier range and worth of SP2 consideration tonight in a good pitchers park against a struggling offense. Tyler Thornton (TOR) Until the Indians show me that they are a competent offensive team, I’ll continue to target them, especially with pitchers who can bring some value like Thornton tonight. He went five shutout innings striking out eight and walking none in his first start against the Tigers and is just $6,200 against one of the worst offenses in the league to this point. The Tribe as a team is striking out at a 31.3 percent clip against righties, third-highest in the league while posting just a .210 wOBA and .087 ISO thus far. I’ll take this value and move on from my SP2 on a weak pitching slate in my eyes. Bats to Build Around My top bats on the slate. Not to say that you should force all of these guys into your lineup(s), simply said, these are my favorite bats considering a number of variables. Ryan Braun (MIL) Braun is always a hitter I’ll look to roster against the N.L. Central and especially at home against lefties. Follow that up with how atrocious the Cubs bullpen has been, especially yesterday getting exposed early on against the Braves and we have a situation where Braun comes in at a great value in a spot where the Brewers could go bananas. It’s worth noting that Jose Quintana pitched well in two starts in Milwaukee last season, however with how good the Brewers are going offensively, four or more runs in all but one game this season, I have no issue grabbing Braun and maybe another Brewer tonight. Michael Brantley (HOU) The Astros have been half asleep thus far but I think they wake up a bit tonight in there home opener and I love Brantley here. First off, he’s underpriced hitting in the middle of the order, likely cleanup. Secondly, he puts the ball in play at an extremely high rate and he’ll likely have traffic in front of him on the bases. Frankie Montas struggled with lefties last season surrendering a 49 percent hard-hit rate to the platoon to go along with a .375 wOBA. Brantley has gone four straight without a knock and he’s simply too good to continue that trend. David Peralta (ARI) Peralta and the Dbacks have their home opener tonight after playing their first seven games of the season in Los Angeles (Dodgers) and San Diego respectively. The matchup for Peralta against Rick Porcello (40 percent hard contact rate against lefties last season) is a good one as Peralta hammered righties last year and has picked up right where he left off thus far in 2019. Last year Peralta posted a .398 wOBA, .251 ISO, and 52.2 percent hard-hit rate against righties with a .438 wOBA and .269 ISO against the platoon at home. Peralta is on fire to start out the season going 15-33 with seven doubles and a home run, including two doubles in each of his last three games. Rhys Hoskins (PHI) Generally, Jake Odorizzi is a value arm I look at any night that he’s on the hill because I do think he’s a good pitcher. He will be someone you see me write up this season in a positive light, but not right now. This is a really tough spot to back him in tonight. Rhys comes in just 3-16 thus far but is a reverse splits monster. Last season against right-handed pitchers, Hoskins posted a .380 wOBA, .288 ISO, and a 52 percent fly ball rate. Hoskins also hit 31 of his 34 home runs against righties. Odorizzi has always had trouble with the reverse split even though he showed a bit better last season. For his career, Odorizzi
MLB DFS: The Daily Diamond: 4/3 – Main Slate
*All pricing references are based on DraftKings unless otherwise noted This article is designed to give you a head start/a brief look at the top pitcher and hitters on the slate from a cash game and single entry contest point of view. Obviously, you’re not going to put together a full lineup from the players listed below but that’s not the idea. The idea is to give you an early look and to point you in the right direction. Combined with all of the other articles and resources we have here at FullTime DFS, collectively we’ll have you in a great spot to cash! Top Pitchers Gerrit Cole (HOU) Cole is the only pitcher I feel comfortable paying up for on tonight’s main slate ($9,000) plus and it just so happens that he’s the highest priced pitcher on the docket. He was very good in his first start of the season allowing one earned run while striking out 10 Rays. Cole faces the Rangers who pose a lineup that can be potent at times, however, most of their damage comes from the left side with hitters such as Shin-Soo Choo, Joey Gallo, Rougned Odor, and Nomar Mazara. Cole was among the elite when it came to right-handed starters against left-handed hitters last season. Cole allowed a minuscule .236 wOBA to the platoon while posting a 41 percent K rate, 14.45 K/9, 47.3 percent ground-ball rate, and a 27.7 hard-contact rate. The righty made four starts against Texas last season and was dominant in all but one (four earned runs in five innings in July). In the other three outings against the division foe, Cole recording 20 innings pitched (at least six innings in all three outings) while recording 33 strikeouts and allowing just eight hits and four earned runs. We get the dominant, shut-down Cole tomorrow night in Arlington. Jameson Taillon (PIT) While this is a much-improved offense for the Cardinals (Goldschmidt), Taillon is a very good young pitcher and had some success against the Cards last season totaling 21.1 innings, 16 strikeouts, and just five earned runs. The Cards have put up some good offensive numbers thus far, mostly aided by a series in Miller Park, but have also shown the ability to strikeout against righties at a 31 percent clip thus far, sixth-highest in the majors. Taillon has the ability to generate ground balls at a high rate (52 percent last season) against righties and will benefit from a good park shift. At $7,900, Taillon will produce a solid number as mid-priced play. Miles Mikolas (STL) As Taillon’s counterpart, Mikolas will enjoy the same park shift here and he’ll do it with an, on paper, weaker lineup against him. Surely the Cardinals lineup is more formidable and dangerous but the Pirates are pesky in their own right. They don’t strike out much and put a lot of pressure on the defense, a defense in the Cardinals that outside of Yadi Molina have a lot of question marks. With all of that being said, I think this is a low scoring game and I’d have no problem pivoting off of Taillon onto Mikolas for the $700 savings as I can truly see either pitcher winning this game. Bats to Build Around My top bats on the slate. Not to say that you should force all of these guys into your lineup(s), simply said, these are my favorite bats considering a number of variables. Anthony Rizzo (CHC) We all saw how Julio Teheran struggled early at home, especially against lefties seeing how Sun Trust Park is a great park for left-handed hitters. Lefties posted a .320 wOBA and 44 percent hard-contact rate against Teheran last season and Rizzo posted a 39.3 percent FB rate and a 14.2 percent HR/FB rate against righties last season to go along with a .211 ISO and .378 wOBA. At a position with a lot of high-priced options, Rizzo is the top dog for me. Xander Bogaerts (BOS) Xander and the Red Sox have come in slow out of the gates, to say the least, but I love the spot for him and the rest of the Boston righties tonight. Marco Estrada is a disaster against right-handed hitters and it showed in his first start of the season allowing two home runs to the reverse split. Last season, Estrada allowed a .389 wOBA, 56 percent FB rate, and 2.04 HR/9 to righties. Xander, who comes in a bit underpriced tonight at $4,300 pounded righties last season with a .379 wOBA, .259 ISO, and 18.3 percent HR/FB rate. Like first base, shortstop is a deep position tonight and Xander is the guy here for me. A.J. Pollock (LAD) Pollock had two hits last night against lefty Madison Bumgarner and faces another southpaw tonight in Derek Holland who has made a career out of getting rocked by right-handed hitters. Last season, Holland allowed a hard contact rate of 45 percent and a fly ball rate of 40 percent translating to a 13.3 percent home run to fly ball rate. Expect a good night out of Pollock in the cleanup spot again tonight. Quick Hits Favorite value bat: Ender Inciarte (ATL) Low owned home run: Evan Longoria (SF) Weakest position (generally a spot where I’ll look for value): Catcher – Tyler Flowers (ATL), Christian Vasquez (BOS) GOOD LUCK!!
MLB DFS: The Daily Diamond – 4/1
*All pricing references are based on DraftKings unless otherwise noted This article is designed to give you a head start/a brief look at the top pitcher and hitters on the slate from a cash game and single entry contest point of view. Obviously, you’re not going to put together a full lineup from the players listed below but that’s not the idea. The idea is to give you an early look and to point you in the right direction. Combined with all of the other articles and resources we have here at FullTime DFS, collectively we’ll have you in a great spot to cash! Top Pitchers Julio Urias (LAD) News flash: The Giants lineup sucks, especially against left-handed pitching. Urias is good, very good, the only worry I have is that Dave Roberts pulls him after five innings, or even less at 75 pitches because they want to “watch his workload.” Regardless, on a slate that isn’t knocking our socks off with top options, Urias looks like the guy to plug in and go with against a weak Giants offense. Kyle Hendricks (CHC) As Hendricks is fresh off a new contract extension, he makes his season debut in Atlanta against the Braves playing in their home opener after closing out a weekend series in Philadelphia last night on Sunday Night Baseball. If you are new here, you’ll come to realize that I look at travel trends a ton with teams, especially after a weekend series. Now, the Cubs also played yesterday in Texas, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will affect Hendricks at all. Often times, in this situation the team, in this case, the Cubs will send their starter for the next day, Hendricks to the next city early thus making the travel less of an issue. At $7,200 we’ll get a guy that pitches to contact but limits the hard contact, changes speeds, and doesn’t often get into trouble with a lack of composure or command. Atlanta just faced a similar pitcher as Hendricks last night in Jake Arrieta who did not have his best stuff as he walked six Braves in six innings of six hit, one run ball. Look for a solid outing at a bargain from Hendricks with a good shot at picking up a win. Sean Reid-Foley (TOR) The main issue with Reid-Foley is we don’t know how stretched out he to be able to go deep enough into this game. The matchup itself is fantastic because the Orioles are terrible. Last year Reid-Foley made a few starts late in the year and looked impressive on a couple of occasions; once against the Yankees and another time against the Astros. This is a case where he has a great chance of winning if he goes five, but can he get through five? I’m not 100 percent sold on that. Bats to Build Around My top bats on the slate. Not to say that you should force all of these guys into your lineup(s), simply said, these are my favorite bats considering a number of variables. Alex Bregman (HOU) In the Astros’ first series of the season, Bregman got off to a bit of a slow start going just one for 12 with a home run in three games. However, this is a much better park shift for him facing a lefty in Drew Smyly that has always had trouble with right-handed hitting, and a Rangers bullpen that was worked all weekend against the Cubs. Bregman’s .409 wOBA and .253 ISO against lefties last season also helps in making him my favorite bat on the slate. Justin Smoak (TOR) Smoak, who has great power numbers against right-handed pitching, including a home run against a righty this weekend, gets a matchup with David Hess and the Orioles pitching staff who somehow held their own, to a degree, against the Yankees this past weekend. Hess allowed a .352 wOBA, 45.5 percent FB rate, an 18.8 percent HR/FB rate, and 2.55 HR’s/9 to lefties last season. Smoak is a good value power bat in one of the better hitting environments on the slate. Joey Gallo (TEX) Admittedly, I’m not much of a Gallo guy but there’s no denying what he brings to the table; a ton of upside in the power department and conversely the ability to go 0-4 with four strikeouts on any given night. In this matchup against BradPeacock, Gallo has a bit of an advantage. Last season Peacock had his trouble with lefties allowing a hard contact rate of 39 percent, a fly ball rate of 46 percent, and a 27.6 percent home run to fly ball rate. Gallo’s .274 ISO, 50 percent fly ball rate, and 25 percent home run to fly ball rate all leap of the page in a matchup where the park shift should work in the hitters favor a bit. A.J. Pollock (LAD) Pollock is 5-12 with a home run and a double in his first three games in a Dodger uniform and will look to stay hot in a solid matchup against lefty Drew Pomeranz. Pomeranz allowed a .401 wOBA to righties last season and Pollock, who should hit in the upper third of the batting order, turned in a .243 ISO and 46 percent hard-hit rate against southpaws last season. Quick Hits Favorite value bat: Kole Calhoun (LAA) Low owned home run: Brandon Lowe (TB) Weakest position (generally a spot where I’ll look for value): Second Base; Rougie Odor is probably as high as I would want to go today as a one-off and Jose Altuve in an Astros stack. Values I like include Lowe (TB), Starlin Castro (MIA), and Ian Kinsler (SD). Favorite Team Stack: Astros (Bregman, Springer, Altuve) Pitcher to Fade: David Price (BOS) – I’d rather pay up for bats (Astros) than pay up for and trust Price. GOOD LUCK!!
MLB DFS: The Daily Diamond – 3/29
Rob Geriak gives you the building blocks to start your cash and single entry lineups today in the Daily Diamond.
NHL DFS: The Point Shot – 3/28
*Note: All pricing references are based on DraftKings pricing. Key Three Skaters My three favorite skaters on the slate. Dylan Larkin (DET) It’s been a rough month or so for Larkin. He dealt with a nagging injury that caused him to miss some time and still didn’t look to be skating at 100 percent when he returned. However, he has recently put up points in back to back games and draws a great matchup against Buffalo who have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to centers over the past four weeks. Larkin is underpriced at $5,900 and has three goals, an assist, and 19 shots in his last three games against Buffalo, including a goal in each contest. Aleksander Barkov (FLA) I don’t mind paying up for Barkov tonight against the Sens because there is a good amount of value to be had throughout the entirety of the slate. With that said, this is a very good matchup for Bark as the Sens have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to centers over the past four weeks. The Panther captain has points in each of his past three games and should eat up Ottawa tonight. Tomas Hertl (SJ) Hertl and the Sharks are locked into the playoffs but that doesn’t mean I’m overlooking them against the Blackhawks who have allowed 23 goals to San Jose in their last four meetings. Hertl has goals in four of his last six games against Chicago and has two goals in his last three games overall. You can make a case for Hertl or Logan Couture at this spot but I’m leaning on Hertl centering the second line and skating on the top power-play unit. Top Positional Plays Outside of the Key Three highlighted above. Center Sebastian Aho (CAR) Mark Scheifele (WPG) Pierre-Luc Dubois (CBJ) Elias Pettersson (VAN) Jack Eichel (BUF) Vinnie Trocheck (FLA) Wing Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA) Evander Kane (SJ) Artemi Panarin (CBJ) Patrik Laine (WPG) Brendan Gallagher (MTL) Brock Boeser (VAN) Anthony Mantha (DET) Mike Hoffman (FLA) Justin Williams (CAR) Defense Keith Yandle (FLA) John Klingberg (DAL) Brent Burns (SJ) Justin Faulk (CAR) Thomas Chabot (OTT) Zach Werenski (CBJ) Value ($4,500 and under) Drew Doughty (LA) Jaccob Slavin (CAR) Christian Wolanin (OTT) Matt Niskanen (WSH) Tyler Myers (WPG) Center – Wing Combo’s My favorite Center-Wing combos, listed in order to consider starting your cash/single entry contests with. Florida Panthers: Aleksander Barkov – Jonathan Huberdeau San Jose Sharks: Tomas Hertl – Evander Kane Carolina Hurricanes: Sebastian Aho – Justin Williams Value / Secondary Center – Wing Combo’s Florida Panthers: Vinnie Trocheck – Mike Hoffman Detroit Red Wings: Dylan Larkin – Anthony Mantha Top Goalies Sergei Bobrovsky (CBJ) Martin Jones (SJ) Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) Jacob Markstrom (VAN) GOOD LUCK!!
MLB DFS: The Daily Diamond – DraftKings Early Slate – 3/28
At last, baseball is finally back! Happy Opening Day. This article will cover the five-game DraftKings early slate starting at 1:05 p.m. eastern. You’ll see my top pitchers and bats consider building your lineups around, generally in cash and single entry contests. Buckle up, enjoy the show, and make sure to check out all of the great MLB content we’ll have today and ALL SEASON LONG! Top Pitchers Jacob deGrom (NYM) Coming off a Cy Young season, deGrom was rewarded with a contract extension just the other day to stay with the Mets. Jake has pitched great in his career at Nationals Park striking out 62, walking 11, allowing 39 hits, and posting a 2.56 ERA in 52.2 innings spanning eight starts. In three starts against the Nats last season, deGrom went at least six innings in all three (20.1 total) and struck out 25 while allowing just 17 hits and four earned runs. His counterpart in Max Scherzer is obviously no slouch, but I’ll take the discount with deGrom. Masahiro Tanaka (NYY) Tanaka should be the chalk pitcher on this slate in a home start against the Orioles who may lose more games than any other team in history this season. Tanaka always has the potential to get blown up at any given time against anyone, this much is true. However, he brings with him a ton of K upside against a lineup that, first of all, sucks, and second of all is full of strikeouts. The only issue I have here is that I would expect Gary Sanchez to be catching today. Over his career, Tanaka’s numbers are significantly worse throwing to Sanchez than anyone else that has caught him, but Baltimore is so weak that I can look past that blemish here. At $9,300, Tanaka is the fourth-highest priced pitcher on the slate in arguably the best matchup, and I use the term “arguably” very loosely. Marcus Stroman (TOR) Stroman is the SP2 option I’m looking hard at in a home matchup against the Tigers. While Stroman had a rough go of it last season, I’m a believer in him and his stuff and ability to compete. He’s a ground ball machine (63 percent to lefties, 61 percent to righties in 2018). He didn’t allow an alarming amount of hard contact last season but for a guy that can’t rely on the strikeout, he has to limit his walks, something he had trouble doing last season. Stroman pitches well today and earns a win paying off his friendly $6,900 price tag. Bats to Build Around My top bats on the slate. Matt Carpenter (STL) Carpenter is expected to leadoff for the Cards today and is in line for a good matchup against Brewers starter Jhoulys Chacin. Chacin allowed a 39.3 percent hard contact rate along with a 35 percent fly-ball rate to lefties last season. In his career at Miller Park, a park that already caters to lefties, Carpenter is a .285 hitter (61-214) with 17 doubles and 10 home runs. Bryce Harper (PHI) All offseason all we heard was where is Bryce Harper going to sign? The charade that is free agency came to an end finally when Harper signed with the Phils to stay in the N.L. East. Bryce has historically shown up on Opening Day with a .417 career average, a double, and three home runs over his career. Braves starter Julio Teheran suffered against lefties allowing a .320 wOBA, 38 percent hard contact rate, and 44 percent fly-ball rate. Oh, and to make matters worse in this spot for Teheran, Harper has owned him going 18-40 (.450) with three doubles, eight home runs, 11 walks, and just five strikeouts over his career. Paul Goldschmidt (STL) Much like his new teammate, Carpenter, Godly has had a great deal of success in Miller Park. Over 23 games at the home of the Brewers, Goldy is a .420 hitter (37-102) with 10 doubles and eight home runs. He was able to hammer righties to the tune of a .384 wOBA, .230 ISO, and a 45 percent hard-hit rate. Outside of last season, when Goldy struggled early, he’s gotten off to hot starts and I expect him to do just that with his new team this season. Justin Smoak (TOR) Smoak is a nice value bat to consider in a great matchup against Jordan Zimmermann. Smoak posted a .370 wOBA, .257 ISO, 40 percent hard-hit rate, and 47 percent fly ball rate against righties last season. Zimmermann struggled with lefties surrendering a .342 wOBA, 1.94 HR/9, a 40 percent fly ball rate, and a 17.4 HR/FB rate. Quick Hits Favorite value bat: Marcell Ozuna (STL) Low owned home run: Travis Shaw (MIL) Weakest position on the slate (generally a position that I’ll look to save on): Catcher – Yasmani Grandal (MIL), Wilson Ramos (NYM), Yadier Molina (STL) GOOD LUCK!!
NHL DFS: The Point Shot – 3/23
This article will cover the 10 game main slate *Note: All pricing references are based on DraftKings pricing. Key Three Skaters My top three skaters on the slate. Auston Matthews (TOR) Matthews has recorded five goals and three assists in his last six games to go along with five or more shots in four of his last five outings. The Rangers have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to centers over the past four weeks. The Leafs are desperate to get their play back on track heading into the playoffs and I think Matthews is a big part of that tonight. William Karlsson (VGK) Wild Bill has points in each of his last three games with three goals and four assists over that span. The Red Wings have allowed the most fantasy points per game to centers over the past four weeks. In a game that I expect Vegas to dominate, Karlsson and his linemates will do plenty of damage. Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA) Huberdeau has had success against Boston, especially this season with three goals, three assists, and nine shots in two games. Of late, Huberdeau has been hot with points in seven of his last eight games with five goals and 12 assists over that span. He’s really been clicking with Barkov and I expect some production at a manageable salary tonight. Top Positional Plays Outside of the Key Three highlighted above. Center William Karlsson (VGK) – Wild Bill has points in each of his last three games with three goals and four assists over that span. The Red Wings have allowed the most fantasy points per game to centers over the past four weeks. Aleksander Barkov (FLA) – During his current eight-game point streak, Barkov has seven multi-point efforts and has compiled six goals and 13 assists. He has a goal and four assists in two games against Boston this season. Ryan Johansen (NSH) – RyJo comes in at an insane value of $4,800 against the Jets who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to centers over the past four weeks. In three games against Winnipeg this season, RyJo has a goal, an assist, and 14 shots. Sebastian Aho (CAR) – There’s no one to match up with Aho up the middle for Minnesota. Patrice Bergeron (BOS) – Red-hot right now with five goals and three assists in his last five games. Max Domi (MTL) – Buffalo has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to centers over the past four weeks. Anze Kopitar (LAK) – Five points in his last three games and faces the Ducks who are on the second night of a back-to-back. Wing Jonathan Marchessault (VGK) – Love Vegas at home tonight and Marchessault is the first guy I’d pair up with Wild Bill. Brendan Gallagher (MTL) – Buffalo has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to right-wingers over the past month. Filip Forsberg (NSH) – Four goals in his last five games and a good value play to pair with RyJo. Willie Nylander (TOR) – Points in five of his last seven games and continues to skate with Matthews. Reilly Smith (VGK) – Great value skating on the top line and top power-play unit and is rolling with nine points in his last five games. The Wings have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to right-wingers over the past month. Justin Williams (CAR) – Goals in back to back games, ‘Canes should get their chances against Minnesota playing their second in as many nights. Chris Kreider (NYR) – The Leafs have allowed more fantasy points per game to left-wingers over the past month than anyone else. Dustin Brown (LAK) – Goals in three straight games and each of his last two games against the Ducks. Defense Alex Edler (VAN) – Five points in his last two games along with a high volume of shots and blocked shots. Shea Weber (MTL) – The Sabres have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to defensemen over the past month. Morgan Rielly (TOR) – Should give the Rangers fits with his speed and puck moving ability. Mark Giordano (CGY) – Points in each of his last six games and the Canucks have been susceptible to defensemen all season. Shea Theodore (VGK) – High-volume shooter from the defense position, top power-play minutes, and the Red Wings have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to d-men over the past four weeks. Charlie McAvoy (BOS) – McAvoy continues to see heavy minutes in Krug’s absence and the Panthers continue to allow opportunities to defensemen. John Klingberg (DAL) – Points in five of his last six games and heavily involved in the offensive zone. Value ($4,500 or less) T.J. Brodie (CGY) Colin Miller (VGK) Vince Dunn (STL) Tony Deangelo (NYR) Brandon Carlo (BOS) Center – Wing Combo’s My favorite Center-Wing combos, listed in order to consider starting your cash/single entry contests with. Vegas Golden Knights: William Karlsson – Jonathan Marchessault Florida Panthers: Aleksander Barkov – Jonathan Huberdeau Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews – Willie Nylander Carolina Hurricanes: Sebastian Aho – Justin Williams Value / Secondary Center – Wing Combo’s Nashville Predators: Ryan Johansen – Filip Forsberg Montreal Canadiens: Phillip Danault – Brendan Gallagher New York Rangers: Mika Zibanajad – Chris Kreider Top Goalies Marc-Andre Fleury (VGK) Frederik Andersen (TOR) Petr Mrazek (CAR) Mike Smith (CGY) Carey Price (MTL) GOOD LUCK!!
