DFS MLB DraftKings/FanDuel Lineup Advice and Pitcher Chart 8/2/2018
Pitchers
For the Pitcher Chart as well as Hitter picks and analysis, click NEXT!
Max Scherzer
Scherzer will face the Reds in Nationals Park. It’s not a perfect matchup for Scherzer, but I’ll have a hard time fading him in cash games. He’s the biggest favorite on the slate and has an OTT (see pitcher chart) of 2.5, lowest on the slate. He has a 34.4% strikeout rate this season, highest on the slate. Even at $13,000 with other aces on the slate, Scherzer is a near lock.
Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw will face the Brewers in Dodger Stadium. I realize it’s Kershaw and anything can happen, but the Brewers lineup is now one of the toughest in the league. The Brewers will routinely leave one of Mike Moustakas, Johnathan Schoop, or Travis Shaw on the bench due to their depth. Their lineup is deep enough where Moustakas is hitting sixth against lefties. If you look at season stats, the Brewers have the fifth highest strikeout rate at 24.1%. If you look at the current projected lineup against lefties, the Brewers have just one batter who strikes out at 23% or higher (Jesus Aguilar). Even at a discount from Scherzer, I’m not paying $11,600 for Kershaw in cash games or tournaments against this Brewers lineup.
Trevor Richards (Pablo Lopez will start in place of Richards. I like Lopez for cash and GPP as well, especially at a $1,000 discount from Richards)
Richards will face the Phillies in Citizens Bank Park. He’s an underdog and has an OTT of 4.5, but I’m more optimistic he can prevent runs. The Phillies have the third highest strikeout rate in the league at 25.1%. Richards costs $6,700, making him a perfect SP2 to pair with Scherzer. He’s recorded three straight outings of at least 21 DK points. I’m comfortable with Richards in cash games, but if you don’t like the risk of a 4.5 OTT, you could certainly leave him for tournaments.
Bonus Pitchers
Jason Vargas is only $4,100. He’s priced as a terrible pitcher, but is much closer to league average. He’s worth a look in cash games and tournaments.
If you fade Scherzer in tournaments (or due to weather), Nick Pivetta becomes a solid SP2. At $8,500, I don’t feel comfortable pairing him with Scherzer because I won’t have enough salary for bats. If you don’t play Scherzer, he’s a great play. He’ll face the Marlins in a strikeout park and will have the platoon against most of the lineup. He’s also a big favorite with an OTT of 3.5.
For the Pitcher Chart as well as Hitter picks and analysis, click NEXT!
Pitcher Chart
To see my favorite hitters for today’s slate, click NEXT!
The pitching chart will be updated often. Make sure to check back for the newest information, especially if a column is currently incomplete!
Last Updated: 8/2/2018 – 9:37 AM CT
| Pitcher | Team | L/R | $Line | OTT | K | +/- | K% | IP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Senzatela | COL | R | +136 | 4.5 | 5 | 0.5 | 17.9 | 5 2/3 |
| M. Mikolas | STL | R | -148 | 3.5 | 5 | 1.5 | 17.3 | 6 1/3 |
| P. Lopez | MIA | R | +162 | 4.5 | 5 | 0.5 | 19 | 5 2/3 |
| N. Pivetta | PHI | R | -176 | 3.5 | 6.5 | 3 | 29 | 6 |
| T. Mahle | CIN | R | +252 | 4.5 | 4 | -0.5 | 21.8 | 5 |
| M. Scherzer | WAS | R | -278 | 2.5 | 9.5 | 7 | 34.4 | 7 |
| M. Foltynewicz | ATL | R | -163 | 3.5 | 6 | 2.5 | 28.4 | 6 |
| J. Vargas | NYM | L | +150 | 5 | 4.5 | -0.5 | 17.6 | 5 |
| R. Erlin | SDP | R | +173 | 3 | 3 | 22 | 4 | |
| M. Montgomery | CHC | L | -188 | 4 | 4 | 14.5 | 5 2/3 | |
| J. Chacin | MIL | R | +181 | 4 | 3.5 | -0.5 | 19.3 | 5 1/3 |
| C. Kershaw | LAD | L | -197 | 3 | 6.5 | 3.5 | 25.3 | 6 2/3 |
| M. Bumgarner | SFG | L | +156 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 19.7 | 5 2/3 |
| Z. Greinke | ARI | R | -169 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 26.1 | 7 |
| B. Keller | KCR | R | +118 | 4.5 | 4 | -0.5 | 14.1 | 5 1/3 |
| R. Lopez | CHW | R | -128 | 4.5 | 5 | 0.5 | 16.3 | 6 |
| C. Sabathia | NYY | L | +105 | 4.5 | 3.5 | -1 | 18.8 | 5 |
| B. Johnson | BOS | R | -114 | 4.5 | 3 | -1.5 | 20.2 | 4 1/3 |
| A. Cashner | BAL | R | +127 | 5.5 | 3 | -2.5 | 17.4 | 5 |
| Y. Gallardo | TEX | R | -138 | 5 | 3.5 | -1.5 | 14.2 | 5 1/3 |
| A. Heaney | LAA | L | -121 | 3.5 | 6.5 | 3 | 23.2 | 6 |
| H. Wood | TBR | R | +112 | 4 | 2 | -2 | 25.3 | 2 |
Key
L/R = Lefty or Righty
$Line = Money Line
OTT = Opposing team’s run total
K = Projected Strikeouts
+/- = K-OTT
K% = Strikeout Percentage
IP = Innings Projection
Many factors can change between the time I write this article and the time lineups lock. I’ll do my best to update the article, so checking back frequently is encouraged. You can also ask questions on Twitter or Facebook. I’ll do my best to get to all of them!
To see my favorite hitters for today’s slate, click NEXT!
Hitters
Giancarlo Stanton
I’m not going to continue long write ups on Stanton. We understand why he’s a good play. He’s a boom/bust option with home run upside. He’ll have the platoon advantage against Brian Johnson in Fenway Park. He’s the top projected play on the slate, but is dependent on home runs.
Rangers Bats
The Rangers will face Alex Cobb in Globe Life Park. Cobb still has a much higher ERA than his SIERA, but his SIERA isn’t good. The Rangers have a team run total of 5.5, highest on the slate. Shin-Soo Choo, Rougned Odor, and Joey Gallo are my favorite plays from this game, but Cobb doesn’t have a huge split, so the righties are in play too. A full Rangers stack may be popular, but is one of my favorite plays as well. In cash games, I’ll stick with the lefties and maybe Adrian Beltre because third base is weak today and Beltre is too cheap.
Your daily reminder that the Boston Red Sox (especially J.D. Martinez) are always underowned.
The Red Sox are frequently the top offense of the slate and are the second best offense tonight. Players like Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and Steve Pearce are high-upside plays who will have the platoon advantage against C.C. Sabathia. I may have Pearce in cash games, but prices may keep me away from Betts and Martinez in cash. For tournaments, multiple variations of a Red Sox stack are viable and are typically underowned.
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