You go against Jake Arrieta ($14,000) these days, you lose. It's just that simple.
His DraftKings salary is astronomical, but Arrieta gives your lineup the best chance to win on most nights he takes the bump. Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in a huge divisional matchup on Wednesday night, and you've got to get him on your team.
ESPN Stats & Info put Arrieta's amazing post-All-Star break run into perspective:
He's 8-1 in his last 10 starts and has averaged 29 fantasy points per game (FPPG) in that time. The Pirates are arguably playing the best baseball in the league, but because of the roll Arrieta is on, he's the right choice to anchor your lineup.
More Cubs
The Pirates are sending A.J. Burnett to the mound to oppose Arrieta. Burnett has had a good season, but he's struggled mightily over the last 30 days. In five straight starts, he's allowed three or more earned runs. When that happens, the ERA obviously suffers. Burnett's has grown from 2.11 to 3.14 over that stretch.
He will also have two of his nemeses ready to do damage against him. What's even better for DK owners is both men represent a low-cost, high-reward pick. Translation: It makes paying $14,000 for Arrieta easier to absorb.
Catcher Miguel Montero ($3,100) has faced Burnett nine times in his career, and he's hitting .556 against him with a double. Starlin Castro ($2,800) is a natural shortstop, but he's been playing second base of late. He's tattooed Burnett for a .471 batting average with 16 hits in 34 at-bats.
The Cubs benched Castro earlier this season, but he has responded well when given the opportunity this month. He's hitting a red-hot .396 in September with a couple of home runs. You can drop him in at shortstop for what could be the highest-value position-player pick of the day.
Bryce Is on Fire
When a player such as Bryce Harper ($5,900) gets hot, you ride him like the thoroughbred he's proved to be. On Tuesday night, the Washington Nationals star hit his 38th and 39th home runs of the season, drove in four, singled and drew a walk. When the dust settled, he'd produced 37 fantasy points.
Over his last 10 games, Harper is averaging an insane 14.9 FPPG. Who's going to slow him down? It probably won't be Alec Asher.
On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Phillies will send the 23-year-old rookie right-hander to the mound, and things could get ugly. Asher's ERA is 10.67 in three starts. He's already allowed five home runs in just 14.1 innings pitched.
Did I mention that 32 of Harper's 39 home runs have come against right-handed pitching? The price is steep, but you need Harper in your DraftKings life.
Cheap Colon
When you splurge on a guy like Arrieta, you're going to need a productive low-cost second pitcher. The New York Mets' Bartolo Colon is your guy ($8,100). The 42-year-old veteran is 14-11 this season. He's allowed just two earned runs in his last five starts. He's pitched into the seventh inning or further in all but one of those games.
The Mets host the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, and that should only help Colon's DK value. This season, he's 4-1 against the Fish with an ERA of 2.33 and a WHIP of 0.99.
Stats per MLB.com. Pricing and scoring info per DraftKings.com.
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