We have performed pretty well of late and today we return with some favorite picks for the early slate that begins at 1:07 p.m. EST. The early slate consists of a small five games, but it still has plenty of chance to win some cash. Let’s take a look at where to spend up and where to look for value.
All prices are DraftKings
Arms
Corbin Burnes ($9,600)
The most expensive pitcher on the slate, Burnes is very much worth the price. The right-hander has had back-to-back masterpieces against the Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals. He gave up just one hit in each start while striking out 11 against the Twins and nine against the Cardinals. He has also walked none so far. Burnes has somehow gotten even more dominant this season after a breakout season in 2020. The Cubs offense has been horrible to start the season, with the worst batting average (.164), on-base percentage (.264), and slugging (.321) in the league while they strike out at an NL worst 28.8 percent clip.
Adam Wainwright ($7,300)
This is a tough slate for pitching and you really just have to roll with the punches. Burnes is a lock for me, but after that, it’s a lot of hit-or-miss. After a blow-up in his first start (six runs and one strikeout in 2 2/3), Wainwright bounced back in his second start. He allowed just one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out six across five innings in a no-decision. The Cardinals should provide solid run support, while the Nationals’ offense has struggled to start the season.
Bats
Hunter Dozier ($3,700)
Do you believe in due? If so, Dozier is long due, starting the season 0-for-16. After the Royals signed the infielder to a four-year, $82 million extension this offseason, he has to get going. He missed three games after bruising his thumb on Opening Day and has played in five of the Royals’ nine games. He returned to the lineup on Tuesday and struck out twice in three at-bats. Today could be the day he finally gets his first hit against a young arm in right-hander Griffin Canning.
Tommy Edman ($5,200)
The Cardinals’ offense broke out for 14 runs on Tuesday, including a nine-run fifth inning. Edman picked up two hits in the leadoff position, who has reached base in all 11 games while picking up hits in ten of them. With the Cards’ offense heating up, he should have another solid chance to do damage. He also has three games in which he stole a base this season and one triple. Edman has one of the fastest hits this season with a max exit velocity of 112.9 mph.
Bo Bichette ($4,700)
Bichette comes into today with a 10-game hitting streak to start the season, hitting hear the top of the Blue Jays lineup. Facing Corey Kluber is favorable as the past-his-prime right-hander has allowed 10 hits, five walks, and four earned runs over his first two starts in 6 1/3 innings.
Stacks
Los Angeles Angels vs. Brad Keller (Kansas City Royals)
Jared Walsh ($4,700)
David Fletcher ($4,100)
Mike Trout ($5,800)
Shohei Ohtani ($4,300)
The Angels have been playing well to start the season, now 7-4 after a loss on Tuesday. Ohtani mashed his fourth homer of the season with a 431-foot blast to right-center. Walsh has hit fifth or higher in all nine of his starts and has hits in seven of those, including four multi-hit games. He also has driven in nine runs by taking advantage of the hitters in front of him. Fletcher has started the year off fairly slow, going just 11-for-49 (.224), but he has also driven in five runs and had three multi-hit games. Mike Trout is Mike Trout. The Angles face the right-hander Brad Keller who has surrendered 15 hits, five walks, and 10 earned runs over his 4 2/3 innings (two starts) on the season. Look for them to mash and put up solid numbers.
Home Run Call: Clint Frazier ($3,600)
Check back in later for my picks for the main slate!
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