This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
After an exciting Home Run Derby on Monday, Tuesday brings the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. DraftKings has a Showdown contest for the game, so let's discuss some pitchers and hitters to potentially target for your lineups.
Pitchers
Considering most pitchers won't log more than two innings, they can be a bit tricky for this contest. They are also facing some of the best hitters in the league, which makes things even more difficult for them to provide value. The two starters will be Shohei Ohtani ($10,000) for the American League and Max Scherzer ($5,000) for the National League. The reason why their salaries are so contrasting is that Ohtani is listed as a hitter for the Showdown contest, meaning he won't accumulate stats during his stint on the mound. Scherzer is once again having a fantastic season with a 0.88 WHIP and 35.5 percent strikeout rate, so if he can pitch a couple of innings and record a few strikeouts, he could provide value.
It gets a bit tricky to target pitchers after the starters because most pitchers who enter in relief likely won't pitch more than an inning. There's also a chance that a pitcher doesn't enter the game at all, which makes things even more dicey. If the National League were to have a lead late, they could turn to Josh Hader ($4,000) for the save. After a disappointing 2020 season by his standards, he's bounced back with a 1.57 FIP and a whopping 45.7 percent strikeout rate this year.
Top Targets
A case can be made for rolling with just about any of the hitters on either team since these are the best hitters in baseball. With that being said, targeting the starters could be key since they will likely garner the most plate appearances. Ohtani and Fernando Tatis Jr. ($10,200) will bat leadoff for their respective squads, so there's the potential that they could even get three plate appearances. That also makes them options to consider for the Captain's spot in which players accrue 1.5X the fantasy points.
While Ohtani has been grabbing plenty of headlines based on his ability to thrive both on the mound and inside the batter's box, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($9,200) has also been among the best players in the American League. He's hit for a ton of power with his .326 ISO and he's also shown an improved eye at the plate, posting a .452 wOBA. With him batting second for the AL, he could have added opportunities to be productive.
Bargain Bats
Sticking with our lineups theme, Max Muncy ($5,800) might be able to provide value. He's expected to bat second for the National League, so he has the potential for additional plate appearances. He's also been an on-base machine this season, posting a .413 wOBA for the Dodgers.
If you're looking to load up on the likes of Ohtani, Tatis and Guerrero, then taking a player or two at near the minimum salary will be key. Salvador Perez ($5,000) will start and bat seventh for the AL, bringing plenty of power to his cheap salary considering his .226 ISO. The Pirates' duo of Adam Frazier ($4,800) and Bryan Reynolds ($4,000) could also be options to consider. They are both starting for the NL and neither player strikeouts out much with them posting 10.8 percent and 20.3 percent strikeout rates, respectively.
Finally, with the game being played at Coors Field, taking a chance on a power hitter or two might be wise. Jared Walsh ($4,600) has a .278 ISO to go along with his .374 wOBA, which makes him appealing. One player who might fly under the radar among all of the stars in this game is Eduardo Escobar ($5,400), who has 20 home runs and a .230 ISO for the Diamondbacks.
