Draftkings Best MLB Showdown Picks: Astros vs. Blue Jays 7/1/24

Major League Baseball presents a matchup between the Houston Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays. Let’s take a look at this MLB game from a Draftkings perspective.

Before we dive into the Houston Astros vs. Toronto Blue Jays game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this afternoon’s Houston Astros vs. Toronto Blue Jays matchup.

Draftkings Picks

Captain-Hunter Brown, Pitcher, Houston Astros $12,000

On Monday afternoon, Major League Baseball presents the first Game of a three Game American League series between the Houston Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays.

How are these two teams playing entering this afternoon’s MLB Game? The Houston Astros arrive at the first Game of this three-Game series with the Toronto Blue Jays playing quality baseball. Let me be more specific. The Houston Astros have accumulated nine wins in the team’s last ten Games, including a dominating 10-5 victory over the New York Mets last night.

Conversely, the Houston Astros opponent (Toronto Blue Jays) in this American League matchup arrives at this MLB game playing below average baseball over the last few weeks. Let’s take a look at the relevant game data to better shed light on my previous statement. The Toronto Blue Jays, have lost nine of the team’s last 11 games played in the MLB regular season, including an embarrassing 8-1 loss to the New York Yankees last night.

Now that we have determined how both teams are currently playing let’s turn our attention to tonight’s Game. Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown has established himself as a valuable member of the Houston Astros starting pitching rotation this season. Having stated that, how has Brown been playing from a statistical standpoint this season? Let’s review Hunter Brown’s recent Game data to answer that question.

In the 16 games that pitcher Hunter Brown has played for the Houston Astros in the 2024 MLB regular season, Hunter Brown has posted a 4.37 ERA (Earned Run Average), a 1.37 WHIP (walks, hits, inning pitched), and added 89 strikeouts while allowing 32 walks.

It should also be mentioned that the Houston Astros have won the last four games played this season when Houston starting pitcher Hunter Brown is on the mound. I expect that winning trend to continue this afternoon in Toronto.

In summary, I am backing Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown as my captain for this one game MLB DFS slate.

Flex Plays

Yainer Diaz, Catcher, Houston Asros $8,400

Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz is playing simply outstanding baseball. In his last four Games played for the Astros, Houston catcher Yainer Diaz accumulated a robust ten hits in 19 plate appearances. Clearly, Astros catcher Yainer Diaz is swinging the bat well entering tonight’s contest with the struggling Toronto Blue Jays.

Additional flex plays I like (Draftkings price noted): Bo Bichette, Shortstop (Toronto Blue Jays) $8,800: Yordan Alvarez, Outfielder, (Houston Astros) $9,800.