It’s another slate full of aces, but almost all of them are in tough matchups – Kluber vs. KC (0.321 wOBA – 7th), Hamels vs. Cin (0.330 wOBA – 6th), Sale vs. Tex (0.337 wOBA – 3rd), Liriano vs. SF (0.329 wOBA – 7th), Gray vs. Det (0.325 wOBA – 3rd), and Lester vs. Mia (0.328 wOBA – 9th). Because of this, you can either go on talent and role the dice with your favorite of these guys. From this bunch, I probably like Lester the most as the Marlins do strikeout at a decent rate (22.1% – 17th) vs. LHP. Or take a guy with talent AND a great matchup….
Top Pitching Options
James Shields (DK – $9400) –Unlike most of the top pitchers, James Shields has a great matchup. He’s pitching at home (Petco great pitchers park) against the Mets, who sport a 0.288 wOBA (29th) and 20.3% strikeout rate (18th) vs. RHP. Shields has pithed very well on the year, with a 2.73 SIERA and ridiculous 30.7% strikeout rate. Strong pitcher, high strikeout rate, pitchers’ park, weak opponent, and reasonable price. Shields is the clear top option.
Lance McCullers (DK – $5600) – McCullers has pitched well in his three starts this year and he’s a cheap play, but doesn’t come with a lot of upside. McCullers has a 3.30 SIERA and 26.9% strikeout rate on the year, but has only pitched into the 6th inning once. He’s gotten his pitch count up early in games, but the Orioles average 3.76 pitcher per PA (20th), so maybe he can last a little longer in this outing. But 15 DraftKings points is very reachable and would pay off his $5600 salary nicely. GPP play or SP2 in cash games if you’re looking to punt that position.
Top Hitting Options
Bryce Harper (DK – $5100) – Bryce had a monster May, but has slowed down just a bit lately, but an elite matchup against Mark Buehrle should get him going again. Buehrle has a 0.406 wOBA vs. LHH and 4.83 SIERA (both worst of pitchers on the day). Harper has a 0.434 wOBA and 0.229 ISO vs. LHP and has a reasonable price of only $5100 on Draftkings, but could be $500 more and be justified.
Dee Gordon 2B (DK – $4300) – Gordon is second in baseball with 20 steals on the year and faces John Lester, who is now notorious for having issues picking off runners. Gordon has a 0.330 wOBA vs. LHP on the year and Lester has actually struggled with lefties allowing a 0.398 wOBA to LHH. Gordon has a good chance to get on, and if he does, could steal a bag or two.
Top Value Play
Ryan Raburn OF (DK – $2800) – Platoon players are great because their price is based on their overall stats and lack of playing time. Raburn is a great example, as he mostly cracks the lineups against lefties. He has a 0.426 wOBA and 0.279 ISO vs. LHP. Plus Vargas has a 4.73 SIERA and 0.331 wOBA vs. RHH.
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Top Stacks
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chad Bettis (Col)
Boston Red Sox vs. Trevor May (Min)
New York Yankees vs. Taijuan Walker (Sea)
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