The fifth edition of the “King of the Diamond” promotion takes place Friday night on DraftKings Sportsbook. Previous winners received bonus bets of $1,414, $249, $60, and $1,698.
**The White Sox at Chicago Cubs game is NOT part of the King of the Diamond promotion today**
What is the “King of the Diamond”? For an in-depth breakdown of this promotion, you can read our How to Play King of the Diamond article on DraftKings Network. Below is a quick summary:
- Opt into the promotion on DraftKings Sportsbook
- Choose between 2-5 players to place in any type of parlay (Same Game Parlay, SGPx) with a “To Hit a Home Run” bet. (Examples: Aaron Judge 1+ Home Run, Shohei Ohtani 2+ home runs, etc.)
- King of the Diamond is awarded to all MLB players who hit 1 or more home runs as part of the highest-scoring MLB team (from eligible games) of the day.
Gleyber Torres and Trey Sweeney led the Tigers to a 14-run outburst against the Red Sox on Monday, easily winning the Kings of the Diamond. Starter Tanner Houck allowed 11 runs in just 2.1 innings, handing the Tigers a lead they never relinquished.
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DraftKings King of the Diamond Strategy
Essentially, two conditions must be met to be eligible to win part of the King of the Diamond jackpot: one or more players must hit a home run and play for the team with the highest score that night. One way to determine which players to pick is to identify the teams with the highest projected totals for that night. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, these are currently the highest projected team totals as of 9 a.m. Friday morning.
Highest MLB team totals for Friday, May 16th
- Arizona Diamondbacks 5.5 runs -140
- Los Angeles Dodgers 5.5 runs -120
- Philadelphia Phillies 4.5 runs -130
- Cleveland Guardians 4.5 runs -115
- San Diego Padres 4.5 runs -115
MLB Starting Pitchers: Most home runs allowed
Of tonight’s starting pitchers, here is a list of those who have allowed the most home runs this season. In parentheses, the breakdown shows home runs allowed to right-handed and left-handed batters.
- Bowden Francis (TOR) vs. Detroit Tigers: 12 home runs allowed; 2.5 HR/9 (3 vs. RHB, 9 vs. LHB)
- Jack Flaherty (DET) at Toronto Blue Jays: 9 home runs allowed; 1.9 HR/9 (4 vs. RHB, 5 vs. LHB)
- Tanner Bibee (CLE) at Cincinnati Reds: 9 home runs allowed; 1.8 HR/9 (4 vs. RHB, 5 vs. LHB)
- Max Meyer (MIA) vs. Tampa Bay Rays: 8 home runs allowed; 1.5 HR/9 (4 vs. RHB, 4 vs. LHB)
DraftKings King of the Diamond Home Run Picks for Friday, May 16
Kerry Carpenter to hit a home run +260 vs. Toronto Blue Jays
The Tigers earned the King of the Diamond title earlier this week and have a strong chance to go back-to-back. Facing Bowden Francis, who has allowed the most home runs among today’s starters (12, with a 2.59 HR/9), they’re well-positioned. Reportedly, nine of those 12 home runs came from left-handed batters. Francis throws four-seam fastballs 55% of the time, with six of his home runs allowed on that pitch. Tigers’ Kerry Carpenter has hit four-seam fastballs well, reportedly hitting four home runs off them. Given Francis’ struggles (5.40 ERA, 6.25 xERA), the Tigers are strong contenders for another King of the Diamond (KOTD) title.
Nick Castellanos to hit a home run +330 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Castellanos has only four home runs this year, but I like his matchup against Andrew Heaney. The Phillies have a few players you could consider, like Kyle Schwarber at +250 and Bryce Harper at +260, both of whom I expect to be more popular. That said, Castellanos poses a challenge for Heaney. He handles four-seam fastballs well, which Heaney throws about 45% of the time. Three of Castellanos’ four home runs have come off four-seam fastballs. He’s a strong choice, especially since his teammates will likely draw more bets.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to hit a home run +400 vs. Detroit Tigers
This game could see several home runs given the starting pitchers scheduled. Flaherty, as noted above, has allowed the second-most home runs with nine. His 1.9 HR/9 is one of the highest among today’s pitchers, with home runs allowed nearly evenly to both sides of the plate. Six of those home runs have come off his four-seam fastball, which he throws 40% of the time. Guerrero Jr.’s four of five home runs have been hit at home, where tonight’s game is being played. Flaherty’s career-high 1.9 HR/9 and alarming number of home runs allowed position the Blue Jays well to be the King of the Diamond.
James Outman to hit a home run +500 vs. Los Angeles Angels
Outman is my long-shot pick to hit a home run tonight. As usual, the Dodgers will be one of the most popular teams to target. Bettors will focus on players like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts. However, I think Outman is a sneaky option for the Dodgers. He’s a powerful home run hitter, with 30 in 217 major league games. Jack Kochanowicz, a sinkerball pitcher starting for the Angels tonight, has a 1.4 HR/9. His sinker, which has accounted for four of the seven home runs he’s allowed, could be vulnerable to Outman’s power.
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Good luck with your King of the Diamond picks for tonight! Whenever this promotion is happening, I’ll be doing these strategy articles exclusively on DraftKings Network.
For a more in-depth breakdown of how the King of the Diamond promo works, check out our How to Play King of the Diamond article on DraftKings Network.
