We are just five days into the 2019 MLB season and already, there have been plenty of storylines. From the big contract extensions to the injuries and hot streaks, there has been a lot to digest in a short amount of time. The beginning of the year is always hard to project outcomes due to the lack of data, however, trends are starting to form.
Tonight, 10 games are scheduled in the MLB for the main-slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Unlike yesterday, we have plenty of top-tier pitching options available, making lineup construction much more difficult. Like my previous article, I will write up my favorite pitcher in each tier, along with my top hitting stacks, for GPP contests. Let’s dive into it!
Pitchers:
Max Scherzer (WSH): $11,700 (FD) / $11,800 (DK) vs. PHI
Well, it did not take long for Bryce Harper to make his return to D.C. this season. In just their fourth game, the Phillies travel to Washington for a two-game mini-series. I was not originally going to write up Max Scherzer due to the tough matchup and other pitching options. However, after thinking more about this situation and the entire slate, Mad Max stands out as one of the best GPP plays, period. We all are aware of his upside. He can strikeout 10+ hitters and go deep into any game. The concern is the strength and depth of this Phillies offense. I am willing to take a chance though.
Starting pitchers are emotional creatures. They feed off the energy in a stadium more than any other position in possibly any other sport. It is of my opinion that Max Scherzer circled this day on his calendar as soon as Bryce left town. There is nothing in the world he would want more than to shut out his former teammate and division rival. A lot of people will be tuning in to watch this epic battle of NL East titans and I foresee Max Scherzer bringing his best stuff. Given his high price tag, tough matchup, and weather concerns, the best pitcher in the game should go overlooked in a game he will want to dominate.
Jose Berrios (MIN): $9,700 (FD) / $9,700 vs. KC
After watching him pitch on Opening Day, Jose Berrios looks as though he is set to take a major step forward as one of the elite starting pitchers in the league. Striking out 10 Indians over 7.2 innings, the hurler only allowed two hits, while walking one. Cleveland is a shell of the 2018 Indians but they are still a better team than the Royals. Berrios will get an upgrade in park shift as Kauffman Stadium ranks among the worst hitter parks for home runs. With so many other great pitchers to pay up for tonight, Jose Berrios provides salary relief with similar upside, in a great matchup.
Marcus Stroman (TOR): $7,400 (FD) / $8,300 (DK) vs. BAL
The Blue Jays opening day pitcher was electric in his 2019 debut, generating plenty of swing and miss, while also featuring impressive stuff against the Detroit Tigers. Being such an emotional pitcher, Stroman still needs to harness his control during tense situations but should find success in another good matchup. Traditionally a groundball pitcher, Stroman owned a 62.1% GB rate in 2018. Now, with a much-improved infield defense, Toronto’s young starter should be in-line for a great season. The Orioles have parted ways with two of their best hitters (Manny Machado and Adam Jones), leaving the lineup with a lot to be desired. A mix of young talent and aging veterans, Baltimore is off to a hot start which will come crashing down soon.
Andrew Cashner (BAL): $5,600 (FD) / $4,200 (DK) @ TOR
All the way at the bottom is Andrew Cashner. This is a deep, large-field tournament consideration. By no means do I think he is a good pitcher, at all. However, until I see differently, any starting pitcher against the Blue Jays is viable. Teammate David Hess is a below average starter who mowed down this lineup, carrying a no-hitter and career-high eight strikeouts through 6.1 innings. In addition, Jordan Zimmerman, another awful starter, was perfect through 6.2 innings on opening day. The Blue Jays hitters are simply not up to game speed and have struggled to make any kind of hard contact against any starting pitcher in their first five games. Let me be clear, Cashner is a very high-risk starter with limited upside, in most scenarios. If you are making multiple lineups, consider a Blue Jays “hedge stack” lineup as well, in-case things go south quick. However, with the low-cost and ownership, he’s worth a dart throw.
Other pitchers to consider: Justin Verlander (HOU), Chris Sale (BOS), Blake Snell (TB), Eric Lauer (SD)
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Hitting Stacks:
1.) Houston Astros
They did not work out last night against Drew Smyly and Adrian Sampson. Outside of a George Springer home run, Houston flopped in a great spot, crushing a lot of lineups. The stack came in around 20-30% in GPP’s in what seemed like a smashing spot. Tonight, Shelby Miller will make his Rangers debut at Globe Life and look for similar success. The veteran hurler missed most of the 2018 season, only logging 16 innings, where he gave up five home runs and 19 earned runs in Arizona. In a rebound situation, look for the Astros to breakout offensively in a great matchup.
2.) Washington Nationals
Similar game theory to the points brought up with Max Scherzer. The Nationals are going to be fired up for this one. I am sure the team will want to show Bryce they do not need him in their lineup to succeed. In addition, Zach Eflin will take the mound for the Phillies who struggled in 2018. Owning a .355 wOBA to LHH, the power lefties are the most intriguing. Again, there are weather concerns in this game. Traditionally, the Nationals are one of the worst teams for postponing games when they do not need to be. Make sure to stay up-to-date on this information as it could be a slate-breaker.
3.) Boston Red Sox
Like the Astros, Boston’s offense completely disappeared late last night in a game they should have succeeded. Mike Fiers is a flyball pitcher and Oakland is a very good ballpark for pitchers. That being said, the ball has been flying out of the park on the west coast recently and we should not write off the defending champs. Fiers owns the second worst xFIP (4.51) on the slate. After being held to just four hits in last night’s game, I fully expect this offense to make a better effort and see results.
Other stacks to consider: Toronto Blue Jays (hedge), Seattle Mariners
Position by Position:
Catcher
- Robinson Chirinos (HOU)
- Omar Narvaez (SEA)
- Wilson Ramos (NYM)
First Base
- Matt Adams (WAS)
- Yuli Gurriel (HOU)
- Mitch Moreland (BOS)
- Edwin Encarnacion (SEA)
Second Base
- Jose Altuve (HOU)
- Robinson Cano (NYM)
- Brian Dozier (WAS)
- Kike Hernandez (LAD)
Third Base
- Alex Bregman (HOU)
- Rafael Devers (BOS)
- Anthony Rendon (WAS)
- Jeff McNeil (NYM)
Short Stop
- Trea Turner (WAS)
- Carlos Correa (HOU)
- Andrelton Simmons (LAA)
- Xander Bogaerts (BOS)
Outfield
- Bryce Harper (PHI) – I love Max Scherzer tonight but I think Bryce takes him deep.
- Mookie Betts (BOS)
- J.D. Martinez (BOS)
- Juan Soto (WAS)
- Domingo Santana (SEA)
- Michael Conforto (NYM)
- Jay Bruce (SEA)
- George Springer (HOU)
- Michael Brantley (HOU)
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