MLB DFS PICKS FOR DRAFTKINGS 8/14/2020

We're back with more MLB picks and we have a lot to get into tonight after a day off yesterday. It's a thirteen game slate with some top tier arms and a bunch of big time bats. We'll have to monitor the weather as the day goes on so make sure you keep an eye out for any delay or PPD news.

Since it's a bigger slate, I'll make sure to share my thoughts on a few more guys than I usually do. I'll break down which teams can potentially be good for stacking and which players will be key pieces in cash games. However, there's a lot of different directions you can go with this many games to choose from. I hope these picks help you build a winning lineup. Good luck everyone!

Pitcher

Gerrit Cole $11k

With deGrom being scratched, Gerrit Cole is now the most expensive arm on the slate. He'll be hosting the Boston Red Sox tonight at Yankee Stadium. Cole can quickly rack up strikeouts and the Red Sox have been striking out a TON against right handers so far this year. Clearly the Yankees have no problem letting Cole throw a lot of pitches since he's already gone over 100 twice in his four starts. He's off to a good start but I still don't think we've seen anything close to what can really do yet this season. If you can get him in your lineup then do it.

Sonny Gray $9.6k

If you can't get up to Cole then this is where I'd go next. Sonny Gray has been on fire to start the season and gets a nice matchup with the Pirates who don't pose much of a threat at all. They are ranked 29th in OPS so far and even though they don't strikeout a ton, Gray has proven that he can outplay his opponents. He's in a very similar spot to Cole and comes in way cheaper than him.

Aaron Civale $9.3k

I like what I've seen from him so far this year and now he gets a strikeout heavy Tigers team. He's been very consistent so far which is the exact opposite of what he was last year. The Tigers actually haven't been bad at the plate but I expect them to finish as one of the worst offenses when the season is over. I like this play a lot and I'll be pretty heavy on him at this price.

Tyler Chatwood $9.1k

A bit more expensive than I'd like to pay for him but if he pitches like he did in his first two starts, then you'll be in great shape. He gets the Brewers again and this time at home where the wind seems to be slightly blowing in at Wrigley. He got knocked around bad in his last start but if you're willing to look past that then I'll say that the matchup is perfect and the Brewers just swing at everything which is what Chatwood really needs. I think he'll pitch well but it comes in with some risk.

Framber Valdez $8.8k

I continue to attack the Mariners and it's actually burned me a few times now. Still, Framber has been great so far and attacking the Mariners with a lefty has been successful this year. The Astros SHOULD be able to get him the win and if he continues to get up near 27 DK points then that's perfect. He has the ability to strikeout hitters which is what we aim for here.

Spencer Howard $4k

Very unfortunate that he is minimum price here tonight. One of the top prospects in baseball and he takes on the Mets in PHI. I already know that the chalk will be to play him with Cole and then pay up for Coors bats. If you want to do that then go ahead but I don't think I'll be taking that route.

Hitters

NYY - DJ, Voit, Hicks, Tauchman - One of my favorite stacks of the night as I've been attacking Red Sox pitching all season and now we get a bullpen night?? Count me in. All of them in play.

MIN - Kepler, Polanco, Cruz, Rosario, Sano - Ian Kennedy is bad and he's being followed up by Jakob Junis who is also not great so these guys are certainly in play. Rosario is my favorite. Watch for weather.

TEX - Kiner-Falefa, Calhoun, Gallo - Coors game. Rockies bats are too expensive to me so here are the guys who I think are fair price/good spot.

HOU - Springer, Reddick, Bregman - Stros look good tonight. They've been underperforming so my move will probably be to get just one of these guys. Bregman is my favorite but you gotta pay for him.

OAK - All in play - I'm pretty bad at projecting ownership but this should be sneaky. Great hitting weather in SF tonight and they get to do it vs the ghost of Johnny Cueto. Should be a good one, love Matt Olson.