After all teams were in action last night, there are 10 games set for the MLB main-slate on DraftKings. There is just one ace to pay up for this evening, with a lot of low-tier pitching options. Salary shouldn’t be an issue tonight with so much value available. Let’s take a look at some of the best pitchers and hitters for GPP’s on the slate.
Pitchers
Jacob deGrom (NYM): $13,200 vs. MIA
The only reason to not start Jacob deGrom tonight is ownership. He is clearly the top option in a great spot against a weak Marlins team. On the season, deGrom has increased his strikeout rate to 34.3% which is among the best in the MLB. With just a 2.66 SIERA, the Mets starter has been a top pitcher in the league all year and has massive upside. With the lack of pivots to similar upside, deGrom should garner 50% or more ownership. In GPP’s, this is far too much chalk to eat. Play him in cash games, but fade in tournaments and pray for a blowup.
Kenta Maeda (LAD): $9,800 vs. COLÂ
The Dodgers starter will take the mound in LA against the Colorado Rockies. Colorado has struggled outside of Coors Field which bodes well for Maeda. Kyle Freeland is the only other pitcher with similar upside tonight, but with Justin Turner back and healthy, the Dodgers are hitting a lot better. On the flipside, the Rockies own just a 45 wRC+ in the last seven days and simply cannot produce runs.
Luiz Gohara (ATL): $6,600 @ PHI
Gohara will make his season debut this evening against a struggling Phillies team and then head down to Brazil to visit his sick mother. The much anticipated 2018 start was delayed due to an injury in spring training. There is not a lot of hype around Luiz Gohara, however, the Braves want to include the future start to be a part of the main four guys in the rotation going forward. With emotions high, in a great matchup, expect Gohara to be fired up for this start.
Hitting Stacks
New York Yankees
In Texas, the Yankees have an absurd, 5.74 implied run total tonight against the righty, Doug Fister. This will garner a lot of attention and ownership. Anytime the Yankees are on the slate, they should be considered because of the massive power. In GPP’s, the top of the order can be faded. If you feel you need the exposure, look at the back half of the lineup (who have been hot) for production.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles are a team with a lot of pop, but strikeout a lot as well. Tonight, they will see Dylan Covey. The right-handed pitcher owns a .370 wOBA and 2.15 HR/9 to LHH, while also allowing a .429 wOBA and 2.58 HR/9 to RHH. The O’s have shown they can put up runs as good as anyone in the league and should go somewhat overlooked. Manny Machado is essentially a lock at shortstop tonight, while either a full or mini stack is certainly viable.
Chicago Cubs
After being embarrassed last night at home to the Indians, be rest assured the Cubs will come out blazing in this one. The Indians will turn to Adam Plutko who will make his second start in 2018. He gave up three long balls in his first start against the Jays in his last appearance but ended up pitching pretty good. The Cubs are a much better team though and should get to Plutko. What is more intriguing is how awful the Indians bullpen has been. Ranked 2nd worst in the MLB, Cleveland owns a 6.75 ERA, 5.27 FIP, and 1.66 WHIP. If the Cubs chase Plutko early, they should also tee off on this brutal pen.
Position-by-position
Catcher
Willson Contreras
J.T. Realmuto
Francisco Cervelli
Welington Castillo
Austin Romine
First BaseÂ
Freddie Freeman
Anthony Rizzo
Jose Abreau
Tyler Austin
Trey Mancini
Second Base
Ozzie Albies
Gleyber Torres
Scooter Gennett
Jed Lowrie
Javier Baez
Jonathon Schoop
Third Base
Kris Bryant
Matt Chapman
Miguel Andujar
Colin Moran
Danny Valencia
ShortstopÂ
Manny Machado
Didi Gregorius
Marcus Semien
Tim Anderson
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Outfield
Aaron Judge
Giancarlo Stanton
Shohei Ohtani
Brett Gardner
Aaron Hicks
Ian Happ
Kyle Schwarber
Austin Meadows
Corey Dickerson
Ben Zobrist
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