Time for another DraftKings Throwdown Showdown as we try to maximize lineups and fatten our bankroll. Tonight our lineup is for the Houston Astros visiting the Colorado Rockies in a matchup the begins at 8:40 p.m. EDT.
The Astros look to be getting a shot in the arm as several players may return from the COVID-19 list. Assuming that’s the case, Houston should walk all over Colorado in this affair. With that said, we’ve got a couple Rockies capable of putting up some points in your lineups. The Astros’ players that could from the COVID list have missed four games, but if they play, I’m still comfortable using a couple based on the matchup. They will come out swinging.
As always, we focus on some guys that you should be seriously considering for your lineups. The four below are must-haves for me. So much so that my sixth and final spot I would simply have a $4k punt. I’ll take a guy that won’t see the field rather than rack my brain for a dude who is going to go 0-4 anyway.
With that said, I’ll toss some other names out that would save a few bucks in order to fill out the last two spots.
Captain
Luis Garcia – $15,900
While Jon Gray has more strikeout potential, Houston batters will be waiting on that slider, so my pitcher is reliever-turned-starter-for-a-night Garcia. In his last appearance, the 24-year-old Venezuelan went 4 1/3 innings in relief, giving up just two hits and setting down seven batters on strikes. He’s had seven days of rest since and should be fired up to take his sub-3.00 earned run average to the bump.
Coors Field is not exactly the ideal place to get your third career start, but he should perform well against a mild (read: poor) Colorado offense. Garcia will just need to limit his walks and trust his defense. In this matchup, Gray will be the pitcher most DFS players will defer to. That’s a mistake.
Utility Bats
Carlos Correa – $9,000
Without much fanfare this season, Correa has quietly hit .271 with three home runs while scoring six runs and driving in six of his own. While he is unlikely to put the ball over the wall tonight, he’s got potential to go gap-hunting at Coors field. Correa has been hitting the ball to center 58 percent of the time in 2021, with even splits of 21 percent to left and right field. In Colorado, and against Jon Gray’s slider, I like Carlos to roll at least one ball to the wall.
If teammates return from the COVID list, it would certainly help. It not only gives him a better chance of having the table set in front of him, but also some protection behind. Historically, these Astros smack the slider around well. Houston will have plenty of opportunities and Correa should be right in the middle of it all.
Ryan McMahon – $10,400
McMahon has been the most consistent player in Denver this season. 10 each of runs and RBIs, six dingers out of 16 hits, and carrying a slash line of .267/.279/.633. After coming out of the gates smokin’ to start the season, McMahon has cooled of late, but he has too much talent for that to continue. Look for the lefty to step into the box and be aggressive against the young righthander in Garcia.
Alternate money saver: Yordan Alvarez – $9,400
If Yordan clears the protocol (he traveled with the team), you gotta like the idea of him at Coors.
Raimel Tapia – $6,000
Tapia has been ensconced in the leadoff position for the Rockies, which lends hope that he can get on base often. While he is only one-for-two in swiping bags this season, he certainly has the speed to do it. Manager Bud Black would be smart to send Tapia off to the races against an inexperienced starter to get him in scoring position ahead of McMahon.
The outfielder brings 14 hits into the game, and while not known for his power, he’s cleared the fence twice so far this season. Another Colorado lefty for Garcia to deal with.
Alternate money saver: Martín Maldonaldo – $5,400
Like Alvarez, Maldonaldo is with the team but has to be cleared before the game.
If the guys don’t play
I love a good drama, which is why I decided this would be a fun puzzle to put together. It sounds like more trouble than it’s worth, but remember, opponents are trying to figure out all of the same. In this affair, though, lean on Astros for the remaining holes in the lineup. If the players don’t clear protocols, I would absolutely plug in their replacements. Players like Taylor Jones and Alex De Goti would be solid replacements. I don’t like what I’ve seen from Gray this season, regardless of the numbers on the screen.
It’s a puzzle for everyone who enters this one if the COVID protocol players miss the game. I wouldn’t drop $500 on one lineup in a game like this. However, if one of several lineups hit, it could pay huge dividends.
Best of luck to all tonight, have fun and make some money.
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