I finally gave in and I’m going to give daily fantasy sports (DFS) a shot this year. This is my first year playing so there will be bumps in the road, but if you read my fantasy guide you know I am going to be overly prepared before I do something.
I’m playing at Draft Kings so all of my analysis and picks will be based on their scoring system.
My Strategy
To maximize your scoring potential you need to find pitchers who throw a lot of innings, strikeout a lot of batters and have a good chance for a win. Since you also lose points for hitters reaching base (hits, walks, hits batsmen) you want to avoid high strikeout, high walk pitchers (Francisco Liriano for example). Also, if they’re walking a lot of batters their pitch counts will be high, which means they won’t pitch deep into games.
With hitters you want players who will hit for extra bases because the scoring increases progressively for extra base hit type. Also, there are no penalties for hitters making outs so you can draft a Mike Zunino and not worry so much if he goes 0-4 with three strikeouts. Power is emphasized in the scoring so it’s imperative to find players who are going to hit home runs and make hard contact.
Speed is another way to find easy points at a low cost, but you want to make sure you grab players who have a high stolen base success rate because you lost points for every caught stealing.
Last Note
This is the most obvious thing, but it has to be said. You are responsible for your own lineup. It is your decision to play or not play a specific player or in general. I’m giving the best analysis I can and if you agree then, that’s great. I’m going to be wrong sometimes. In fact I’ll probably be wrong a lot because like I said at the start I am a beginner there’s going to be a learning curve.
My 50/50 Lineup
- P: Stephen Strasburg (WSH) — $9,200
- P: Jake Arrieta (CHC) — $8,600
- C: Derek Norris (SD) — $3,400
- 1B: Joey Votto (CIN) — $4,500
- 2B: Alex Guerrero (LAD) — $2,800
- 3B: Luis Valbuena (HOU) — $3,900
- SS: Hidden
- OF: Gregory Polanco (PIT) — $4,300
- OF: Hidden
- OF: Hidden
I don’t know how someone can not use Strephen Strasburg and Jake Arrieta tonight. For some reason the Diamondbacks are not playing A.J. Pollock every day, but for DFS purposes that’s great news for Strasburg. Strasburg was dealing with a minor shoulder issue and only pitched three innings in his last outing so he is not without risk, but the Diamondbacks lineup is Paul Goldschmidt, Mark Trumbo and fringe Major Leaguers. Arrieta has been unlucky and he faces an average Mets offense.
Sean O’Sullivan of the Phillies isn’t very good, but lefties are the ones who do the majority of the damage against, which is why I went with Gregory Polanco. Derek Norris mashes lefties and bats second in the lineup; he’s the best play for me especially at that price point. Mike Foltynewicz will ultimately be a reliever because he’ cannot get lefties out consistently. Votto has a great chance to go deep or at least hit two doubles. Alex Guerrero makes too much hard contact to not use him today especially at the price point.
Lastly, I left $700 on the table. I wanted to go with higher priced options in my OF, but I’m trusting my evaluations. Also, this is the first time I’m leaving so much money on the table and I want to see how my lineup performs.
