DraftKings Main MLB Picks For October 1

Published Oct. 1, 2016 3:53 a.m. ET

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Sep 12, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; A general view of the DraftKings sign board during the match with FC Dallas playing against New York City FC at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

DraftKings Main MLB Picks For October 1

Today’s games are pretty evenly split on the DraftKings table. Seven of the games are in the afternoon, leaving eight for the main tournament. This will deal with the picks for the main tournament. There is only one pitcher priced above $8,200, but we have five between $7,500 and $8,200 on DraftKings. Should we go cheap on pitching with no ace option? Let’s check the past stats for some help.

NOTE: these picks are based solely on statistics. Some players have never faced their opponents, or have very little experience against them. I am not saying that none of those are good picks. The highest scorer of the day could be someone with no experience against his opponent. This is based on statistical analysis only. If you have a gut feeling, then by all means, follow that. This is not an exact science. The best lineups usually have a mix of proven stats and hot players. Check out this post from Matt McGarvey for great tips about whether to use a hot player in DFS or not.

Want to be a millionaire? For you first time players, if you would like an entry into the NFL Millionaire contest, use this link for the referral bonus!

Sep 25, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jharel Cotton (45) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

The Astros are 8-23 against Tyler Skaggs, but only four current players have faced him George Springer has driven in the only run off of him. Skaggs is by far the highest priced pitcher on the board. Why? Because the Astros has struck out seven times in those 23 at bats. Skaggs has elite strikeout potential, but Houston has hit him well in a small sample size.

Do you want solid, or do you want lightning in a bottle? Jharel Cotton has a stellar 1.44 ERA in his first four major league starts. The only one that hasn’t been a quality start is against the Royals when he ran his pitch count up and was pulled after 5.2 innings. The Mariners hit righties well, but Cotton has been very good in his first stint in the league.

Aaron Blair has never faced the Tigers, but the rookie has a 8.02 ERA in 64 innings. You want no part of this.

Jeff Hoffman has never faced the Brewers. While this may look like a good option, Hoffman has a 8.00 ERA at Coors Field this year. He isn’t worth the risk.

Sep 26, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Best Bets:

Hisashi Iwakuma ($8,200): The A’s are only hitting .228 against Iwakuma in 162 at bats with only four homers and 13 runs scored. Iwakuma is not a big strikeout guy, but he has a solid total of 31. Iwakuma’s ERA is back in the mid 3’s since July 1st after a rough start to the season. Expect solid numbers against Oakland tonight.

Honorable Mention:

Colby Lewis ($6,800): The Rays are only hitting .195 in 77 at bats against Lewis with only five runs score and 17 strikeouts. Lewis, despite missing all of July and August, is having the best year of his career. So with these good past stats and a career year, why is he down here? Well, in his three starts since coming off of the disabled list, he has allowed 13 runs in just 12 innings pitched. Can he right the ship here?

Jake Odorizzi ($6,200): Texas is just 18-84(.214) against Odorizzi with only two solo homers to show for it. That’s it. They have only struck out 13 times, but with this kind of dominance, do you really care?

Dark Horses:

Hector Santiago ($6,100): If you can believe it, Ricky Nolasco has actually pitched better since the trade than Santiago has. As a member of the Angels, Santiago dominated the White Sox back on July 15th. He turned in a quality start against them as a Twin on September 3rd. The White Sox are now just 25-132(.189) with four homers, just nine runs, and an impressive 42 strikeouts against Santiago. He could be a fantastic bargain tonight.

Sep 26, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels fans cheer as center fielder Mike Trout (27) hits a solo home run in the fourth of the game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t forget to check out the DFS Lineup Optimizer over at FantasyPros. You can also pick your favorite players or favorite stack, and it will optimize the lineup around that! It really is an invaluable tool for you DFS players!

Mike Trout ($5,400) is 6-19(.316), with two doubles, a triple, two homers and four RBI against Collin McHugh. Kole Calhoun ($3,700) is 9-29(.310) with a double, but he has no counting stats. Ji-Man Choi‘s ($2,900) only hit in three at bats against McHugh is a solo homer. C.J. Cron ($3,800) only has two hits in ten at bats, but he has a walk, a homer, and two RBI. Andrelton Simmons ($2,600) is 3-11 with a double, a triple, and two RBI off of McHugh.

Joe Mauer ($3,900) is 15-48(.313) with two walks, two doubles, a triple, a homer, and ten RBI against James Shields. Brian Dozier ($4,200) is 11-26(.423) with three walks, five doubles, three homers, and nine driven in against Shields. Byron Buxton ($3,900) has two hits in four at bats with a double, a homer, and two RBI against Shields. Miguel Sano‘s ($4,000) only hit against Shields in two at bats is a two run homer.

Ryan Hanigan ($2,400) has only faced J.A. Happ four times. His hit is a solo homer. Dustin Pedroia ($4,200) is only 6-26(.231) against Happ, but he has two walks, two doubles, two homers, and six RBI against him. Chris Young ($3,800) hits lefties well, and Happ is no exception. Young is only 3-11, but he has four walks, a double, a homer, and two RBI off Happ. Mookie Betts ($5,100) is only 2-14, but he has a walk, a triple, and a solo homer.

Toronto has six homers and 15 RBI in just 71 at bats against Eduardo Rodriguez. Darwin Barney ($2,900) has only faced him twice. He has come away with a walk and a solo homer. Jose Bautista ($4,700) has a walk, two singles, a homer, and two RBI in 11 at bats. Edwin Encarnacion ($5,300) is 3-11 with a walk, a double, a homer, and three RBI. Ryan Goins ($2,400) hit a three run homer against Rodriguez for his hit in two at bats. If Russell Martin ($3,800) plays, he is a great option. Martin is 3-7 with two walks, a double, a homer and three RBI against Rodriguez. Melvin Upton Jr.($4,200) has a walk and a two run homer in three at bats.

Sep 23, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Matt Kemp (27) tosses his bat after drawing a walk during the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Khris Davis ($3,700) is only 2-15(.133) against Hisashi Iwakuma, but both hits are home runs. Danny Valencia ($3,200) is only 3-15, but he has a double, a homer, and two RBI.

Freddie Freeman ($5,200) is 9-25(.360) with six walks, three doubles, and three RBI against Jordan Zimmerman. Matt Kemp ($4,700) has six hits in 16 at bats against Zimmerman with a walk, a double, two homers, and seven RBI. Nick Markakis ($4,200) is 10-30 with two walks, a double, and a solo homer.

Paul Goldschmidt ($5,500) has five hits in 15 at bats against Clayton Richard with five walks, two doubles, and three RBI. Rickie Weeks ($4,600) only has three hits in 13 at bats, but he has a walk, a homer, and three RBI.

Despite the lefty on lefty matchup, Adam Eaton ($4,400) is 5-12 with two doubles and a solo homer against Hector Santiago. Melky Cabrera ($4,500) only has two hits in 14 at bats against Santiago, but he has a double, a homer, and three RBI.

Adrian Beltre ($4,100) and Rougned Odor ($4,000) have the solo homers for the Rangers against Jake Odorizzi. Beltre also has three walks and a single in nine at bats. Odor’s is his only hit in five tries.

Yangervis Solarte ($3,900) is 4-8 with a walk, a double, a homer, and three RBI against Archie Bradley. Alex Dickerson ($3,700) has two doubles and two RBI in six at bats. Derek Norris ($2,900) only has one hit in seven at bats, but it is a two run homer.

Carlos Gonzalez ($5,100) is 3-7 with a double and a RBI against Wily Peralta. DJ LeMahieu ($4,900) only has two hits in 12 at bats, but he has three RBI. Nolan Arenado ($5,100) has three hits in five at bats against Peralta with a double and a RBI.

Be sure to check out the FanDuel picks from our experts in that area! Brian Tulloch provides the picks and alternative plays if you don’t want to follow the herd. Don’t play FanDuel before checking it out!

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball and stay tuned for advice on Week 4 in the NFL!