DraftKings and FanDuel MLB Picks for Monday 8/9/21

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Pitchers

Joe Musgrove FD 9000 DK 8500
Opponent - MIA (Zach Thompson) Park - MIA
FD - 42.81 DK - 23.93

Very small slate tonight but we are still gifted with a couple of really good options on the mound. It starts with Joe Musgrove who, after getting hit around in his first start out of the break, has been terrific over his last three. In those starts, he has held Oakland, Miami, and Colorado to just three earned runs while striking out 20 batters. Musgrove provides a safe floor as he doesn't walk batters or give up many hits(.97 WHIP) and also provides a ton of upside with a 28% K rate and is a massive -235 favorite against a Marlins team that strikes out 26% of the time. Fire up Musgrove in all formats.

Freddy Peralta FD 10200 DK 10500
Opponent - CHC (Alec Mills) Park - CHC
FD - 39.95 DK - 22.69

After pitching in All-Star game, Peralta was eased back in to the rotation to start the second half and was limited to 51 and 68 pitches in his first two starts. The funny part is that during those "limited" starts he still gave us nice fantasy returns. He was unleashed in his last start making it back up to 98 pitches and struck out nine Pirates. Tonight, he gets another plus matchup against a depleted Cubs team that traded away everyone but the popcorn vendors at the deadline. The price is back up but Peralta gives us both a safe floor and a very high ceiling. Playable in all formats.

**Update: This game has a right risk of PPD with 60-80% chance of rain so stay tuned for weather report in chat closer to lock***

Catcher/First Base

José Abreu FD 3600 DK 6000
Opponent - MIN (Beau Burrows) Park - MIN
FD - 13.46 DK - 10.19

Not only do we have a smaller five-game slate tonight but two of the games have weather implications and one (MIL/CHC) with a high chance of PPD. Thankfully this game has no issues as the White Sox are in a good spot against the Twins who will be running a bullpen game starting with a pitcher in Burrows who has given up 11 earned runs in just nine innings pitched.

For Abreu, he has shown some consistency lately with hits in six straight, runs in five of those, and he also added three home runs in that time. He is the centerpiece of my White Sox exposure tonight, especially on FanDuel where the price is very affordable in the mid $3K range.

Also Consider: Joey Votto(CIN) as a GPP pivot as he has struggled against lefties and is very expensive but the Reds are in a great spot tonight

Second Base

Cesar Hernández FD 3100 DK 4200
Opponent - MIN (Beau Burrows) Park - MIN
FD - 11.14 DK - 8.6

Hernandez has been a welcome addition to the injury-riddled White Sox and comes into tonight with hits in six of nine games since joining the team. Four of those have been multi-hit efforts and he has also hit two home runs with his new team. He is once again projected to hit second in the lineup in this plus matchup and if that is the case, he is one of the top PTS/$ value plays on the slate.

Jake Cronenworth FD 3700 DK 4000
Opponent - MIA (Zach Thompson) Park - MIA
FD - 10.15 DK - 7.82

The Padres don't necessarily get the best matchup but we have limited options and the price on Cronenworth is an excellent value on DraftKings. He is coming off a big game where he provided all the offense for the Padres with a two-run homer in a 2-0 shutout and series win over the D-backs. Even with the addition of Adam Frazier, he has managed to keep his everyday role as he has slid over to shortstop to cover for Tatis who is currently on the IL. You are getting no discounts on FanDuel tonight making Cesar Hernandez the much better play there but Cronenworth is cheaper on DK and in play in all formats.

Shortstop

Kyle Farmer FD 3000 DK 3900
Opponent - CLE (Sam Hentges) Park - CLE
FD - 8.92 DK - 6.87

Finding value is going to be key on this slate and it is few and far between. The Reds have a few values but not without risk as there is rain in the forecast and they come in the bottom half of the lineup. One of these is Kyle Farmer who has stood out more on the defensive end of things at shortstop but comes in hot with hits in five straight and 15 of his last 16 games(.431 avg, 208 wRC+). All things considered, I will have exposure to Farmer in all formats, especially on DraftKings under $4K.

Also Consider: Tim Anderson(CHW) as a GPP play due to his price and struggles in the short term but leads off for the White Sox who are in a great spot tonight

Third Base

Eugenio Suárez FD 3100 DK 4000
Opponent - CLE (Sam Hentges) Park - CLE
FD - 10.97 DK - 8.15

This is a risk/reward type play as Farmer has been playing great at shortstop which has forced the Reds into a platoon at third base with Mike Moustakas back in the mix. Facing a lefty, Suarez is likely to get the start and while he has struggled for most of the season he has been above average vs. lefties for his career. He has also looked much better lately with hits in nine of his last 11 games with four home runs. At these prices on this small slate, I am willing to take on the risk he gets pinch hit for late to get a piece of that upside.

Rougned Odor FD 2800 DK 3900
Opponent - KC (Carlos Hernández) Park - KC
FD - 11.21 DK - 8.41

I never get excited about rostering Odor and pretty sure I have never wrote him up but here we are. The options are limited, the Yankees are currently the top team in implied runs and may be without Gleyber Torres so Odor should have no problem getting on the lineup card. What he lacks in consistency, he does make up for with power upside(13 HR on season)and most of all, comes very cheap which is going to help us pay up for pitching and a few top bats.

Outfield

Eloy Jiménez FD 3100 DK 4400
Opponent - MIN (Beau Burrows) Park - MIN
FD - 13.59 DK - 10.3
Andrew Vaughn FD 2600 DK 3100
Opponent - MIN (Beau Burrows) Park - MIN
FD - 9.91 DK - 7.53

I am going back to the White Sox in the outfield who provide us with a ton of value on this small slate. Let's start with Eloy who got a late start to the season due to an injury but is starting to heat up with hits in four straight including five hits over his last two. He hits cleanup and should have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs against Beau Burrows and a bullpen game from the Twins.

For Vaughn, it has been an incredible story as he was drafted 3rd overall in 2019, only had a total of 245 at-bats in the low-minors(rookie ball, A, A+), didn't play in 2020, and is now playing everyday at the major league level. Not only that, he has been contributing, especially lately with hits in four of his last five. The key here is that he is very cheap on both sites and tiers the whole slate together. Core play in all formats.

Also Consider: Aaron Judge/Joey Gallo(NYY) if you have the salary as they are the top team in terms of implied runs or Nick Castellanos(CIN) facing a lefty and is still underpriced on DraftKings

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