MLB DFS Podcast August 29: Top DraftKings Picks & Example Lineups
We have a 12-game MLB DFS main slate with elite pitching atop the position including Clayton Kershaw, Corbin Burnes, Pablo Lopez, and George Kirby. All those elite spend-ups are options but how are we going to pair them with the Atlanta Braves and build a reasonable lineup considering they're in Coors Field? Jon Impemba goes position-by-position to break down the entire slate from a DFS perspective. Be sure to check out all of our tools including the MLB Lineups page, MLB DFS Projections – powered by FanJections –, MLB DFS Ownership, and all of our tools HERE! Let's dive into today's podcast and example lineup!
REMINDER: We will be going LIVE on the Bettor Sports Network tonight at 5 pm ET to break down the main slate.
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Jake Meyers (calf) has been hitting, sprinting and doing light work in the outfield as he progresses from a right calf strain.
The Astros still want him to increase the intensity of his workout before he progresses to facing live pitching, so it still sounds like he has a bit of work to do before he returns. Meyers has been shelved since July 10 with the calf ailment.
Ben Brown will start for the Cubs on Monday against the Blue Jays.
Brown looked good in a relief role after Michael Soroka went down with an injury last week and will now get at least one start to make his case to stick in the Cubs’ rotation. Jameson Taillon is nearing a return from the injured list though which could relegate him back to the bullpen in short order.
Pedro Pagés went 1-for-3 and belted a two-run homer on Sunday evening as the Cardinals eked out a 3-2 victory over the visiting Cubs.
The 26-year-old backstop got the scoring started in the ballgame with his 407-foot (104.9 mph EV) two-run blast off of Shota Imanaga in the third inning. He also struck out and flied out to center in the contest. For the season, Pages is now hitting .211/.256/.341 with eight homers and 35 RBI in 291 plate appearances.
Nolan Gorman delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning on Sunday night, leading the Cardinals to victory over the Cubs.
The Cardinals got something started with two outs in the seventh inning as Jordan Walker singled and swiped second base to get himself in scoring position. Gorman then battled back from an 0-2 hole against Shota Imanaga to line a single into right field that plated Walker with the go-ahead run that proved to be the difference. The 25-year-old infielder finished the night 1-for-3 and is now hitting .228/.315/.411 with 10 home runs and 34 RBI.
JoJo Romero picked up his third save of the season on Sunday night, recording the final four outs to protect a one-run lead against the Cubs.
Romero came on to get the final out of the eighth inning with a man on first base and two outs. He allowed a single to Kyle Tucker but then retired Carson Kelly on a ground ball to shortstop to get out of danger. He then returned for the ninth where he got Justin Turner on a fly ball to center. Ian Happ then drew an eight-pitch walk to put the tying run on base, but pinch-runner Jon Berti was cut down attempting to steal second base. Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson then singled to put the tying run in scoring position before Romero finally got Matt Shaw to hit into a fielder’s choice to end it. It looks like the 28-year-old southpaw is near the top of the committee for save chances in St. Louis at the moment, making him a worthwhile addition for those speculating on saves.
Sonny Gray delivered a dominant performance in Sunday night’s victory over the Cubs, allowing just two runs (one earned) on five hits over seven stellar frames.
The 35-year-old right-hander racked up seven strikeouts on the night while allowing only one base on balls. All of the damage done against him came on a two-run blast by Matt Shaw in the fifth inning after Dansby Swanson had reached on an error. Gray got seven swings and misses on 92 pitches on the night — all of them on his sweeper — while posting a CSW of 28 percent. Now 11-5 on the season, Gray will look to further improve upon his 4.06 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 148/22 K/BB ratio (135 1/3 innings) when he does battle against the Yankees on Saturday.