Kuzul

Thursday’s slate of MLB action includes 10 games, five during the day and five at night.  DraftKings daily fantasy players have a limited number of choices available in both the afternoon and evening contests.  The key to success might not be how the stars in your lineup perform, but whether or not the cheaper players on your roster contribute points as well.  

Factors such as recent hot streaks and favorable matchups make these five low-cost options solid sleeper picks for August 6.

Afternoon

Joe Ross, SP, Washington Nationals ($8,700)

After Zack Greinke and Michael Wacha, pitching prospects in the early games drop off considerably.  Joe Ross is likely the best of the rest.

Ross makes only his seventh career start on Thursday, but he’s been quite impressive through his first six.  He’s lasted at least five innings in each outing while never surrendering more than three runs.  As MLB Stat of the Day noted, Ross is showing spectacular control for a rookie:

Over 39 innings, Ross has 40 strikeouts and just four walks.  He’s also holding opposing hitters to a .221 batting average.

Yangervis Solarte, 1B/2B, San Diego Padres ($3,400)

Yangervis Solarte is tearing the cover off the ball lately.  Solarte currently owns an 11-game hitting streak, with multiple base knocks in six of his last eight contests.  In that stretch, his season batting average has risen from .246 to .269.

Solarte owns much better numbers when playing away from spacious Petco Park this season.  All seven of his home runs have come on the road, where he’s averaging 6.6 fantasy points per game, as opposed to 4.9 at home.

In two career plate appearances facing Milwaukee Brewers starter Matt Garza, Solarte is 1-for-1 with a walk and an RBI.

Evening

Mark Buehrle, SP, Toronto Blue Jays ($8,900)

Among a very thin field of pitching talent, Mark Buehrle may be the most reliable arm on the mound on Thursday night.

Buehrle has pitched at least six innings in 14 of his last 15 starts, with the lone exception being a 5.2-inning stint on July 26.  In addition, he hasn’t given up more than three earned runs in a game in June, July or August, a span of 11 straight appearances.

The lefty has also yielded only one walk in his last 44.2 innings, dating back to June 26.

Above are highlights from Buehrle’s previous outing against the Minnesota Twins on May 29, in which he threw a complete game, walked none and allowed just one hit after the first inning. 

Josh Reddick, OF, Oakland A’s ($4,100)

Josh Reddick is day-to-day with a sore back and hasn’t started since Sunday, although he entered Wednesday’s game as a pinch hitter and logged two innings of defense in right field.

Assuming he’s back in the lineup on Thursday, Reddick is an excellent play against the Houston Astros’ Scott Feldman.  Reddick has five extra-base hits in 23 career at-bats versus Feldman, including three home runs.

Reddick is also much happier when facing right-handed pitchers—11 of his 13 homers and 48 of his 58 RBI have come off of righties.  He’s also batting .312 against right-handers, compared to .190 versus lefties.

Ryan Goins, 2B/SS, Toronto Blue Jays ($2,300)

If you’re low on cash and need to fill out your squad with a middle infielder, Ryan Goins is your man.  The Blue Jays second baseman owns a modest four-game hitting streak, during which he’s 6-for-11.  Goins has also reached base in six straight contests.

As Toronto play-by-play man Mike Wilner pointed out, Goins is an on-base machine at the moment:

To further boost his fantasy value, Goins has scored eight runs in a span of eight games.  At a bargain price of $2,300, a few points from Goins could make the difference between winning money and finishing empty-handed. 

All prices courtesy of DraftKings.  Statistics via MLB.com unless otherwise noted.  Mark Vandeusen is an MLB featured columnist for Bleacher Report.  Follow him on Twitter @LucidSportsFan.

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Every MLB team is in action on Tuesday night, allowing DraftKings daily fantasy players a full complement of hitters to choose from.  There are also a number of top-flight arms taking the mound, including Max Scherzer, Chris Sale and Chris Archer.  With so many possibilities available, making the right selections to finish in the money becomes harder than ever.

Here are five ideal lineup picks for August 4.

Chris Archer, SP, Tampa Bay Rays ($11,700)

If you’re hesitant to spend $13,500 on Scherzer as an ace, Archer represents a much more affordable option at nearly $2,000 less.  The Rays All-Star is third in the majors with 173 strikeouts, one more than Scherzer and only four fewer than Sale.  Archer’s 0.99 WHIP and .206 batting average against each rank among the top 10 in baseball.

In his last appearance, Archer took a perfect game into the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers before surrendering a pair of unearned runs.  Over his past three starts, Archer has struck out 26 batters and yielded a total of three earned runs while averaging 27.2 fantasy points per game.

Archer matches up with Sale and the Chicago White Sox Tuesday, a club that is last in the American League with 387 runs scored.  Sale is also in a bit of a slump, having allowed 13 earned runs and 30 hits spanning his last three outings.

Jake Arrieta, SP, Chicago Cubs ($11,500)

For the past month and a half, Jake Arrieta has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the big leagues.  In each of his last eight starts, Arrieta tossed at least six innings and never gave up more than three earned runs.  During that time his ERA has dropped from 3.40 to 2.62, while opposing hitters batted just .172 against him.

Arrieta was also very good in two previous games against the Pittsburgh Pirates this season:

The Cubs righty is on a strikeout binge of late, having fanned 33 batters over 28 innings in his past four appearances.  Arrieta also boasts a 2.21 road ERA this year, compared to 3.07 at home.

Ian Kinsler, 2B, Detroit Tigers ($4,100)

Ian Kinsler is on fire at the moment, coming off a weekend series in Baltimore in which he went 12-for-17 and recorded multiple hits in all four games.  He scored double-digit fantasy points on each occasion, while averaging 14 per day.  The Tigers’ official Twitter account made note of his outstanding performance:

Kinsler’s hot streak extends well beyond just his last four contests.  After batting .262 through the first three months of the season, Kinsler hit .366 in July.  Three of his five home runs this year also came last month.  Since June 25, Kinsler has raised his average from .257 to .297.

The second baseman’s 39 hits in his last 30 games are tied for the second-most in baseball in that time.

Colby Rasmus, OF, Houston Astros ($3,300)

Colby Rasmus is batting just .237 this season with an on-base percentage of .305.  You’re not putting Rasmus in your lineup for his 2015 numbers, however, but rather for his history when facing the Texas Rangers and starter Yovani Gallardo.

Through 27 career plate appearances, Rasmus owns a .481 OBP versus Gallardo, with four extra-base hits, four RBI and five runs scored.  Even more impressive is what he’s done in his previous visits to Globe Life Park in Arlington, including slugging six homers in 10 games:

In his last two starts, Rasmus is 3-for-7 with two runs scored and two RBI.  With a price tag of only $3,300, Rasmus will be an incredible bargain if he can continue his success both in Texas and against Gallardo.

Freddy Galvis, 3B/SS, Philadelphia Phillies ($3,000)

Like Rasmus, Freddy Galvis is a matchup play.  The Phillies shortstop is hitting .600 for his career against Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Wood:

Galvis is also swinging the bat well of late.  He has four hits in his last two games and has reached base in 10 of his past 11 contests.  It’s also worth noting that Galvis is a better hitter at home than on the road in 2015—he’s batting .291 with a .451 slugging percentage in Philadelphia as opposed to .265 and .337 in away games.

If you’re running low on money and need a shortstop or third baseman to finish out your roster, Galvis could provide solid bang for your buck.

All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Statistics via MLB.com unless otherwise noted. Mark Vandeusen is an MLB Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @LucidSportsFan.

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Washington Nationals All-Star Max Scherzer headlines the list of starting pitchers taking the hill across MLB Tuesday night.  Is his exorbitant salary a worthwhile investment for DraftKings daily fantasy players?  With 15 games on the docket, there of plenty of other possibilities to choose from as well.

Here are five of the top pitching options in a variety of price ranges for July 7.

Max Scherzer ($14,200) vs. Cincinnati Reds

Scherzer‘s $14,200 price tag is $3,000 more than any other pitcher available, but he’s earned it.  His 0.78 WHIP and .181 batting average against are easily the best in baseball, while his 1.82 ERA is second only to Zack Greinke’s 1.48.

The Washington Nationals ace has uncharacteristically allowed a pair of earned runs in each of his last two outings, yet still posted at least 29 fantasy points both times.  For the season, Scherzer is averaging a spectacular 30.8 fantasy points per game.  Over his last four starts, that number jumps to an absurd 43.8.  In that stretch he’s thrown complete games in three of four appearances, while pitching 34.1 out of a possible 35 innings.  Scherzer also has 42 strikeouts and just one walk in that time.

On Tuesday, he’ll face a Reds team batting .249 on the season, 11th in the National League.  Combined with the fact that Scherzer actually costs $300 less than he did his last time out, it’s worth dropping the enormous chunk of change it’ll take to get him in your lineup.

Sonny Gray ($9,600) at New York Yankees

With an average of 22.3 fantasy points per game, Sonny Gray is outscoring Francisco Liriano and Johnny Cueto, despite costing $700 and $500 less, respectively.  Gray’s 2.09 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and .205 batting average against all rank among the top 10 in MLB.

On Monday, Gray expressed his gratitude for being chosen to play in his first All-Star Game, something that should give him a little extra incentive when he steps onto the mound Tuesday:

In his only previous start against the Yankees this season, Gray earned a victory while surrendering just four hits and two earned runs in eight innings.  Gray’s opponent, Nathan Eovaldi, is 0-1 with a 5.60 ERA in three career starts versus the Oakland A’s.

Taijuan Walker ($8,200) vs. Detroit Tigers

Taijuan Walker’s 4.34 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 2015 suggest he’s not a pitcher who should cost upward of $8,000.  However, Walker is red-hot at the moment after busting out of an early-season slump.

He’s gone 5-0 in his last five starts and scored over 20 fantasy points in seven straight outings.  Ironically, Walker hasn’t walked a batter in four starts while striking out 30 in 26.1 innings.

The 22-year-old has tossed six or more innings in his last seven games while lowering his season ERA from 7.33 to 4.34.

Yovani Gallardo ($7,200) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Yovani Gallardo last allowed a run on June 10, more than four starts ago.  As noted by Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Gallardo is in the midst of one of the most impressive scoreless streaks in franchise history:

Since the month of May, Gallardo has given up a total of two earned runs.  Dating back to his last loss on May 19, the veteran is 4-0 with an ERA of 0.70 spanning eight outings.

In addition to the great run he’s currently on, Gallardo also boasts stellar numbers for his career against the Diamondbacks—a 7-1 record and a 2.12 ERA in 11 starts.

Manny Banuelos ($5,900) at Milwaukee Brewers

If you’re looking for a pitcher with the potential to provide quality stats at a bargain price, Manny Banuelos is your guy.  Banuelos has just a single major league start under his belt, but the results were exceptional.  The rookie allowed only two hits in 5.2 shutout innings while striking out seven batters.

Shortly after his early departure from the game, the Atlanta Braves announced it was for medical reasons:

Banuelos should be properly hydrated and ready to go for his second big league appearance Tuesday.

It’s not much to go on, but the Braves are 4-1 against the Brewers this year.  Banuelos is obviously a shot in the dark, which is really all that can be expected from a pitcher priced below $6,000. 

All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Statistics via MLB.com unless otherwise noted. Mark Vandeusen is an MLB Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @LucidSportsFan.

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All 30 MLB teams are in action Tuesday evening, giving DraftKings daily fantasy players a wide variety of pitching options to choose from.  Chris Sale is the biggest name on the board, but there are also several quality bargains available at much more affordable prices.

Here are five pitchers who should provide the best bang for your buck on June 30.

Chris Sale ($12,800) at St. Louis Cardinals

Chris Sale’s salary is $2,100 higher than any other starter going, but his resume of late makes him well worth it.  In his last time out, Sale surrendered five earned runs in 6.2 innings while taking a loss against the Minnesota Twins.  But he still recorded 19 fantasy points, in large part because he struck out 10 batters.

Sale struck out at least 10 in each of his last seven starts, one shy of tying the major league record dating back to 1914.  He has a total of 85 strikeouts during the seven-game streak.  Before his minor slip-up in Minnesota, Sale recorded 30 or more fantasy points in five consecutive outings, including over 40 in four of the five.

For the season, Sale has 129 strikeouts, the fourth-most in baseball, in just 95.1 innings pitched.  His 0.98 WHIP also ranks eighth in the majors.

Dallas Keuchel ($9,800) vs. Kansas City Royals

Dallas Keuchel’s 23.6 fantasy points per game is the second-highest scoring average of any pitching on the mound Tuesday, yet he comes cheaper than Sonny Gray, Cole Hamels and Lance Lynn.

Keuchel is a workhorse, leading MLB with 116.1 innings pitched.  He’s also tied for the top spot in both complete games and shutouts:

The lefty ranks eighth in baseball with a 2.17 ERA, while his 0.96 WHIP is sixth and his .194 batting average against is third.  Keuchel also has the added bonus of matching up against Royals starter Danny Duffy, who boasts a 5.44 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP. 

Shelby Miller ($7,900) vs. Washington Nationals

Like Keuchel, Shelby Miller is tied for the major league lead with two shutouts.  At just $7,900, Miller can provide an ace-like performance at a significantly lower cost. 

As noted by Fox Sports South, in his last start against the Washington Nationals, Miller faced the minimum number of hitters through six innings:

He finished the game with a no-decision after yielding three hits, a walk and one earned run in seven innings.

Miller has never given up more than four runs in a single outing this season and allowed two or fewer earned runs in 13 of his 15 starts.  Both his 1.94 ERA and .200 batting average against rank among the top five in the majors.

Mike Montgomery ($6,800) at San Diego Padres

Through five major league starts, Mike Montgomery is averaging an impressive 19.8 fantasy points per game.  That stat is skewed, however, by the 45.7 points he registered the last time he took the hill.

MLB.com’s Paul Casella noted Montgomery’s rare accomplishment:

Even without Montgomery’s one spectacular showing, his overall numbers are quite consistent to this point.  He surrendered two or fewer runs in four of his five appearances, giving up four in the other.  Montgomery also lasted at least six innings in all five of his starts.

On Tuesday, he faces a San Diego Padres team with a .244 team batting average, the fourth-worst in the National League.

Marco Estrada ($6,300) vs. Boston Red Sox

After allowing a total of three hits in 15.2 innings over his past two games, Marco Estrada is as hot as any starter in baseball.

Via MLB.com:

Estrada became the first pitcher since Dave Stieb in 1988 to take a no-hitter into the eighth inning in back-to-back starts. In his last outing, Estrada was perfect through seven until he allowed an infield single with one out in the eighth.

It’s an extremely small sample size, but if you’re going to spend below $6,500 on a pitcher, you might as well ride the hot hand.

Estrada’s season stats are also perfectly respectable—a 3.45 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP and 63 strikeouts in 73 innings.  And with baseball’s highest-scoring offense behind him, the Toronto Blue Jays righty is a decent play for the money.

All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Statistics via MLB.com unless otherwise noted. Mark Vandeusen is an MLB Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @LucidSportsFan.

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Tuesday’s MLB matchups feature several star pitchers, including Madison Bumgarner, Zack Greinke and David Price.  Which of these aces is the best bet in DraftKings daily fantasy?  Or, is it a wiser move to spend your money on less expensive starters who may outperform their cost?

Here are five of the top pitcher choices for June 23.

Chris Archer ($9,800) vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Chris Archer was touched up for three earned runs in each of his past two starts.  He also faces a tough Blue Jays lineup that has scored far and away the most runs in baseball.  For these reasons, Archer has a relatively low price tag, significantly less than any of the three names mentioned above.

However, his 2.18 ERA is seventh in MLB and his .207 batting average against is eighth.  No pitcher available Tuesday has more strikeouts than Archer’s 116, the fifth-most in the majors.  With an average of 24.9 fantasy points per game, Archer is also easily the day’s top scorer.

Dating back to May 7, the 26-year-old is 5-0 over his past eight starts.

Jason Hammel ($8,500) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

The table below shows two pitchers’ stats to this point in 2015.  The names may come as a bit of a surprise.

Player A is Jason Hammel, who’s putting together a terrific season for the Chicago Cubs.  Player B is Greinke, the Dodgers’ former Cy Young Award winner.  The two oppose each other Tuesday, which is a good reason to stay away from both.

But if you’re considering spending $10,500 on Greinke, why not grab Hammel instead for $2,000 less?  Greinke is averaging 22.0 fantasy points per contest, only slightly better than Hammel‘s 21.2.  In addition, the Cubs righty has yielded two or fewer earned runs in seven of his last eight outings.

Carlos Martinez ($8,300) at Miami Marlins

Carlos Martinez has lasted into the seventh inning in each of his last six starts.  In that time, he’s given up a total of just four earned runs.

The St. Louis Cardinals are 11-3 in the 14 games that Martinez has taken the mound this year.  Martinez and the Cardinals also have a very favorable matchup against Jose Urena and the Marlins.

Urena is averaging 6.5 fantasy points per game, the lowest of any pitcher throwing on Tuesday.  The 23-year-old rookie is 1-3 with a 4.18 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP and a .275 batting average against.

Ubaldo Jimenez ($6,900) at Boston Red Sox

Considering he’s scoring 17.1 fantasy points per contest, Ubaldo Jimenez is a decent bargain at under $7,000—there are seven pitchers with higher salaries than him who are posting lower averages.  Jimenez hasn’t lost since May 16 and has 27 strikeouts over his last 22.2 innings.

There’s nothing particularly exciting about Jimenez’s overall numbers for the Baltimore Orioles this year, but the odds are in his favor against Boston.  The Red Sox pounded out a season-high 13 runs in their last game, while also slugging 13 extra-base hits.  It stands to reason there will be a regression to the mean for their offense on Tuesday.

The Orioles are 7-3 against Boston this year, including a three-game sweep in Baltimore two weeks ago.  Jimenez made one appearance against the Red Sox on April 17, getting ejected after 3.2 scoreless innings for throwing at Pablo Sandoval.  Boston did not yet have a hit at the time.

Chi Chi Gonzalez ($6,800) vs. Oakland A’s

Chi Chi Gonzalez makes just his fifth major league start.  However, through his first four he’s allowed only three earned runs.  In fact, after eight scoreless innings in his previous outing, Gonzalez was on the verge of his second complete-game shutout.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News took note of the impressive accomplishment:

Gonzalez lost the shutout when he surrendered a two-run homer in the ninth inning, but his numbers to this point are still extremely impressive.  In four games, he owns a 0.90 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP, while holding opposing hitters to a .173 average over 30 innings.

At a price of $6,800, Gonzalez is a steal.  Daily fantasy players should use him in their lineups until he proves otherwise.

All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Statistics via MLB.com unless otherwise noted. Mark Vandeusen is an MLB Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @LucidSportsFan.

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There aren’t many big-name starting pitchers taking the mound across MLB on Tuesday. Combined with the fact that there are five day games on the schedule, DraftKings daily fantasy players may have to think outside the box while setting their lineups.  

From an aging veteran to a rookie just getting his feet wet, here are five of the best values on the board for pitchers on June 16. 

Afternoon

Michael Wacha ($9,200) vs. Minnesota Twins

Michael Wacha has the second-highest salary among pitchers in the day games, but with an average of 18.8 fantasy points per outing, he’s easily the top scorer. Wacha‘s 2.45 ERA ranks seventh in the National League, while his 1.08 WHIP and .224 batting average against are both 11th.

His overall numbers aren’t dominant, but they are extremely consistent. Take a look at a recent tweet from Fox Sports Midwest’s Luke Thompson:

Through 12 games this season, Wacha has never allowed more than four runs or failed to last at least five innings. In nine of his 12 starts, he’s surrendered two or fewer earned runs. The 23-year-old has totaled over 19 fantasy points in five of his last six appearances and has scored better than 11 every time out.

Tim Lincecum ($7,800) vs. Seattle Mariners

He’s nowhere close to the pitcher he once was, but Tim Lincecum has several things going for him on Tuesday. Inside the confines of AT&T Park this season, Lincecum is averaging a solid 16.8 fantasy points per game.

In addition to pitching at home, Lincecum boasts a very favorable matchup against the Mariners. Seattle has scored the fewest runs of any team in the American League, while also posting an AL-worst .234 team batting average.

Lincecum owns many unspectacular starts this year, but he has always avoided disaster—the most runs he’s given up in any game is four.

Evening

Jake Arrieta ($9,000) vs. Cleveland Indians

For the season, Jake Arrieta is scoring 21.4 fantasy points per game. It’s the highest average of any pitcher on Tuesday and a much better value than Matt Harvey’s 21.0 at $10,800.

After spending the first three-and-a-half years of his career with the Baltimore Orioles, Arrieta‘s stats drastically improved upon joining the Chicago Cubs in 2013.

The 29-year-old is eighth in the NL with 83 strikeouts in 77 innings pitched. As with Wacha, Arrieta has thrown at least five innings and given up four or fewer earned runs in all 12 of his starts.

Nathan Eovaldi ($6,900) at Miami Marlins

With a 4.13 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP, Nathan Eovaldi is putting together an extremely mediocre season for the New York Yankees. Could he be in line for a quality start when he takes on his previous ballclub for the first time? Lohud Yankees Blog noted Tuesday’s pitching battle:

The two righties were actually part of the same deal between the Yankees and Marlins last December. Eovaldi should have the advantage in his old home against David Phelps, who faces a Yankee lineup that’s scored the fourth-most runs in baseball. On the other hand, only five clubs have plated fewer runs in 2015 than the Marlins.

There’s no denying Eovaldi is a risky choice. However, he’s got a 2.92 ERA in June and should have a little extra motivation for his first trip back to Miami.

Chi Chi Gonzalez ($5,400) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Chi Chi Gonzalez has just three major league starts under his belt, but they’ve all been quite effective. Lone Star Ball’s Adam J. Morris tweeted Gonzalez’s historic start:

Over 21.2 innings, Gonzalez has yielded just a single earned run. His 10 walks are a bit high, and his eight strikeouts are fairly low, but his fantasy totals are excellent. With an average of 20.5 points per game at a price of $5,400, Gonzalez gives you 3.8 points for every $1,000 spent.

The rookie’s string of impressive starts will likely come to a close in the near future. Considering Gonzalez’s bargain salary, it’s worthwhile to run him out there until it does.

All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Statistics via MLB.com unless otherwise noted. Mark Vandeusen is an MLB Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @LucidSportsFan.

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There are several top-notch MLB starters throwing on Tuesday, which makes picking just two in DraftKings daily fantasy contests all the more difficult.  Scoring big with pitchers becomes vital when there are so many quality arms available.

Whether you’d like to spend for an ace or find a bargain and hope for the best, here are five of the leading options to choose from when selecting pitchers for June 9.

Sonny Gray ($10,100) vs. Texas Rangers

Sonny Gray leads all major league starters with a 1.65 ERA, while his 0.91 WHIP is tied for the second best in baseball.  He’s also holding opposing hitters to a .186 batting average in 2015.

Gray has yet to allow more than four earned runs in a single outing this season, and he’s surrendered two runs or fewer in nine of his 11 starts.  In addition, the righty has lasted at lease five innings every time and completed eight full innings in each of his last two games.

Why pay $12,000 for Max Scherzer, or $10,900 for Corey Kluber, when you can get the same ace-like stats from Gray at a much better price?

Francisco Liriano ($9,700) vs. Milwaukee Brewers

As noted in the above chart, Francisco Liriano is the only pitcher in the majors holding hitters to a lower batting average than Gray is—and he costs $400 less.  The Pirates left-hander has been outstanding over his past three starts, giving up just two earned runs while striking out 29 batters in 19 innings.

Liriano’s 3-4 record and 3.24 ERA aren’t superstar numbers, but he has an extremely favorable June 9 matchup.

Milwaukee owns a .233 team batting average and a .286 on-base percentage, both of which are the worst in MLB.  The chance to face a 25-year-old rookie making his first start in the bigs also bodes well for Pittsburgh’s offense.

Dallas Keuchel ($9,100) at Chicago White Sox

Considering what Dallas Keuchel is doing in 2015, he’s an absolute steal at $9,100.  Keuchel leads all of baseball with 87.2 innings pitched—he’s tossed at least six innings in every start and eight or more on five of 12 occasions.

Keuchel‘s 1.85 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and .189 batting average against all rank in the top five in the majors.  He also won the American League Pitcher of the Month award in both April and May.

The 27-year-old’s moderate price tag this week is a bit of a mystery.  After steadily rising all year, Keuchel‘s salary hit a season-high $10,000 for his last start against the Baltimore Orioles.  His six-inning, two-run, seven-strikeout no-decision shouldn’t do much to lower his value, especially on Tuesday against a White Sox team with the second-fewest runs scored in the American League.

Eduardo Rodriguez ($7,100) at Baltimore Orioles

As a rookie about to make his third career big league start, Eduardo Rodriguez’s $7,100 cost is actually quite high.  However, if he can put together another performance like his first two, he’ll likely be the best bargain of the day. 

Rodriguez also struck out seven batters in each of his first two appearances.  His ERA and WHIP both stand at exactly 0.61 through 14.2 innings pitched.  In his first game, Rodriguez posted 32.3 fantasy points, then in his second he put up 29.4.

Obviously, it’s a tiny sample size, but the 22-year-old has easily the best fantasy scoring average available despite being one of the lower-priced pitchers on Tuesday.

Robbie Ray ($5,000) at Los Angeles Dodgers

If you’ve filled your lineup with stud hitters and need a bargain on the mound, Robbie Ray is your guy.

Like Rodriguez, Ray has made just two starts in 2015, while also allowing only a single earned run.  Over 11 innings, Ray has yielded 11 hits and one walk to go along with nine strikeouts.  He’ll take the hill for the second time in a row after spending a month in Triple-A between his previous two starts.

Ray faces a tough Dodger lineup that leads the National League with a .335 on-base percentage and a .441 slugging percentage.  However, Ray’s opponent, Carlos Frias, has a 4.25 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP this season.  At $4,300, Frias is the second-cheapest pitcher on the board.  Ray is a gamble, but at least his offense will have a solid opportunity to get him ample run support.

All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Statistics via MLB.com unless otherwise noted. Mark Vandeusen is an MLB Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @LucidSportsFan.

DraftKings is hosting one-day MLB contests! Claim your free entry by clicking on the link and making a first-time deposit!

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For fans playing DraftKings‘ daily fantasy baseball on Tuesday, there are a number of excellent starting pitcher possibilities.  The trick, obviously, is getting the most bang for your buck.  With so many quality options to chose from, how does one decide which two pitchers to go with?

Here are five of the best MLB pitcher picks for June 2, coming in at a variety of different price levels.

Max Scherzer ($12,000) vs. Toronto Blue Jays

At $12,000, Max Scherzer is the most expensive pitcher on the board—but his performance to this point easily backs up his cost.

Through 10 starts in 2015, Scherzer is averaging 29.2 fantasy points per outing.  By that rate, he’ll give you 2.43 points per $1,000.  For comparison, Johnny Cueto‘s $10,400 price is Tuesday’s second-highest.  With an average of 21.4 fantasy points per game, Cueto produces 2.06 points for every $1,000 spent.

Scherzer‘s 1.51 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 85 strikeouts all rank in the top three in baseball for each category.  Among the 20 league leaders in innings pitched, his 10 total walks are also the third-fewest.

If you’re still not sold on Scherzer, his career numbers against the Blue Jays are quite difficult to ignore.

 Scherzer will take up a huge chunk of your payroll, but his value is worth the risk.

Chris Archer ($8,900) at Los Angeles Angels

With an average of 24.0 fantasy points per game this year, Chris Archer is a bargain at under $9,000.  There are four starting pitchers on Tuesday that cost more than Archer, despite the fact that there are also only four pitchers in all of baseball who are holding opposing hitters to a lower batting average than he is.

Archer’s 82 strikeouts are the fifth-most in MLB, while his 0.99 WHIP ranks 10th.

In his last start, Archer outdueled Felix Hernandez with a spectacular eight scoreless innings, in which he surrendered two hits and zero walks while striking out 12.  If it weren’t for the hard-luck no-decision, Archer’s fantasy points, and subsequent price tag this week, would be even higher.  His performance that afternoon put Archer in DraftKings‘ daily perfect lineup. 

Shelby Miller ($8,300) at Arizona Diamondbacks

 Given his stats so far this year, Shelby Miller is a steal for $8,300.  As noted in the above graphic, Miller’s .175 batting average against is the lowest in baseball.  His 1.48 ERA is also tied with Zack Greinke for No. 1 in that category, while his 0.88 WHIP is second only to Greinke‘s 0.87.

If there’s one thing you can be absolutely certain of, Miller will put his team in position to win.  He’s lasted at least six innings in eight straight starts and has yet to allow more than two earned runs in any outing this season.

Miller doesn’t strike a lot of guys out—just 49 in 67 innings—but his other numbers more than make up for it.

Alfredo Simon ($6,100) vs. Oakland A’s

Over nine starts in 2015, Alfredo Simon is scoring an average of 16.6 fantasy points per game.  At $6,100, he’s good for 2.72 points for every $1,000—a higher production value than Scherzer.

After becoming a regular starter for the first time with the Cincinnati Reds last year, Simon has blossomed into a highly effective pitcher.  In 41 games since the beginning of 2014, he’s 20-12 with a 3.26 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.

On Tuesday, Simon will have the added bonus of taking the mound at home.

Also worth noting, this will be Simon’s first game back in action following time on the bereavement list for the death of his father.  Don’t be surprised if there’s a little extra juice on his fastball.

Mike Wright ($4,800) at Houston Astros

If you’re in need of a pitcher at a bargain price, Mike Wright may be just what you’re looking for.  The 25-year-old rookie’s entire major league career consists of only three starts—the first two, however, were nothing short of spectacular.

In his third time out, Wright yielded three earned runs on six hits in five innings, but he didn’t walk a batter.  Over 19.1 innings, he’s given up a total of 13 hits and only three walks.

Despite the first-place Astros’ 32-20 record, a visit to Houston is not as daunting a task for an opposing starting pitcher as it may seem.  The club has a better winning percentage on the road, .652, than it does at home, .586.  Houston’s .225 home batting average is also the worst of any team in baseball.

Statistics courtesy of MLB.com unless otherwise noted. 

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Spring training is now underway for the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers, Florida. The Red Sox have 57 players in camp preparing for the 2015 season. In addition to the full 40-man roster, there are also 17 non-roster invitees trying to prove they belong.

While there are not likely to be many significant battles for spots in the starting lineup, the Red Sox’s final 25-man roster is still taking shape. Here’s a guide to every player participating in Boston’s major league spring training, broken down position by position.

Unless otherwise noted, all statistics via RedSox.com and contract information via spotrac.com. 

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The Boston Red Sox are set to kick off spring training this week in Fort Myers, Florida.  While there is sure to be some minor roster tinkering before Opening Day arrives, Boston is poised to enter the 2015 season with the team it currently has.

The Red Sox made several key additions this offseason, highlighted by the signings of All-Star sluggers Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez.  But, what about the moves Boston didn’t make?

The following are the three biggest missed opportunities the Red Sox failed to cash in on this winter.

Acquire an Ace

Boston brought in three new starting pitchers in Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson.  None of them fits the billing of a No. 1.  A trio of big-time free agents was available in Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields, but the Red Sox whiffed on all three.

In hindsight, Boston’s inability to sign Lester likely dates back to last April, when he was still a member of the Red Sox.  At the time, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported that Boston offered Lester a contract extension of four years between $70-$80 million.  The “lowball” bid put the wheels in motion for Lester’s trade to the Oakland Athletics.  Eventually he signed with the Chicago Cubs for six years and $155 million.

On the topic of Scherzer, Rob Bradford of WEEI writes:

The Red Sox did have interest in free agent Max Scherzer, actually valuing him as much as Jon Lester. But after numerous discussions with Scherzer’s agent, Scott Boras, it became clear the righty’s price tag was going to be too big for the Red Sox’ to swallow.

According to one source, at no point during the offseason did Boras hint that he was concerned Scherzer wouldn’t get his money, potentially leading to a more palatable reduced rate. In the end, the former Tigers hurler inked a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Nationals.

Bradford also states that the Red Sox met with Shields at the winter meetings.  However, they didn’t feel Fenway Park was the right place for him considering he has a career 2-9 record and 5.42 ERA in Boston.

Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies recently told USA Today Sports’ Bob Nightengale that he would be willing to wave his no-trade clause to go to Boston, saying, “Of course, I would. It’s a fun city. There’s no better feeling than to have a chance to win every year, and they give you that chance. I’m all ears.”

According to Rosenthal, the Phillies want either Mookie Betts or top prospect Blake Swihart in return for Hamels.  The Red Sox do not appear interested in parting with either one.  Bradford says the two sides “aren’t remotely close” to a deal.

Prepare for Life After Koji Uehara

Boston re-signed Koji Uehara for two years and $18 million.  Uehara is coming off two spectacular seasons as the Red Sox closer, but he also gave up 15 hits and 10 earned runs in a span of just 7.2 innings over his final nine outings of 2014.

Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald shared Uehara‘s thoughts on why he struggled at the end of last year:

It was more physical,” Uehara said after arriving in Red Sox camp Monday, four days before the mandatory reporting date for pitchers and catchers. “I didn’t talk about it at that time, but I think I’m over it.”

Uehara wouldn‘t elaborate — “I’m not getting into specifics,” he said through translator C.J. Matsumoto — except to say the issue “wasn’t fatigue” from the Red Sox’ long run to the World Series in 2013. General manager Ben Cherington noted Uehara dealt with a “little lower back issue” in August that cleared up by the end of the year.

Uehara will turn 40 years old before Opening Day of 2015.  How confident should Boston be that he’ll return to form?  The Red Sox could’ve served themselves well by putting more effort into a backup plan.

David Robertson saved 39 games for the New York Yankees last season, then signed with the Chicago White Sox for four years and $46 million.  Former Red Sox lefty Andrew Miller struck out 103 batters in 62.1 innings in 2014, while also posting a minuscule 0.80 WHIP.  Miller inked a four-year, $36 million free-agent deal with the Yankees.

Brandon Morrow is two seasons removed from posting a 2.96 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 124.2 innings with the Toronto Blue Jays.  A former starter and closer, Morrow represented a low-cost option—he signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres for $2.5 million.  Similarly, Casey Janssen went to the Washington Nationals for one year and $5 million.  Janssen saved 81 games over the last three seasons with Toronto.

If Boston reconsiders adding more bullpen depth in case Uehara breaks down, Rafael Soriano is an intriguing possibility still on the free-agent market.  The 35-year-old has 209 career saves, including 40-plus in three of four seasons from 2010-2013.

Make Use of Their Abundant Minor League Talent

This “missed opportunity” is two sides of the same coin.  The Red Sox bolstered their lineup and restocked their starting rotation without trading away any of their top young players.  Betts, Swihart, Henry Owens, Garin Cecchini, Rafael Devers, Manuel Margot, Brian Johnson, Matt Barnes, Trey Ball, Deven Marrero and a host of other prospects are all still part of the organization.

Last month Keith Law of ESPN ranked Boston’s farm system the fifth best out of 30 major league teams.  The question is, are the Red Sox trying to win in 2015, or are they planning for the future?  It looks as though they are attempting to do both simultaneously.  The money they spent on Sandoval and Ramirez clearly shows an interest in being competitive now.  But, Boston’s starting rotation leaves much to be desired.

Hamels was always available.  Matt Latos and Jeff Samardzija were both traded this offseason.  Who knows, maybe the right offer could have even pried away someone like Johnny Cueto from the Cincinnati Reds, or Chris Sale from the White Sox.

If the Red Sox had been willing to part with a few quality prospects, they could’ve significantly increased their chances of returning to glory in 2015.

Contract information via Spotrac.com

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