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Pitcher
Justin’s Pick: Brendan McKay
I was considering using one of the highest priced options here, but that wouldn’t be on brand, would it? Brendan McKay isn’t as cheap as I normally would go here, but he’s still only $8.7K on DraftKings. He has looked great through three starts, posting a 1-0 record with a 1.69 ERA and a 0.69 WHIP. He’s due for a bit of regression, but still owns a respectable 3.75 xFIP and a 3.94 SIERA. McKay has held his opponents to a 29.5% hard hit rate, while recording a ridiculous 25% soft hit rate in limited MLB innings. Surprisingly, his strikeout rate sits at only 22.4%, which is a good bit below his percentages in the MiLB, but his 13.2% swinging strike rate suggests he could see positive regression on that. McKay gets a plus matchup against the Chicago White Sox, who have struggled at times against left-handed pitching. He has scored 20+ fantasy points in two of his three starts this season, but his price tag doesn’t represent that. McKay is also a -238 favorite in a game set at 9 runs, and he’s a pitcher that can be considered in all leagues tonight.
Jason’s Reaction: Wow, I actually agree. After that epic fail of a recommendation from the last article, I think you’re going to redeem yourself here. Nice work.
Jason’s Pick: Justin Verlander
I was considering using one of the lower priced options here, but that wouldn’t be on brand, would it? Seriously, I love paying up for pitchers. Justin Verlander is a great option tonight against the Texas Rangers, as fantasy owners are going to ignore him in favor of Jacob deGrom against the San Francisco Giants and Hyun-jin Ryu against the Miami Marlins. In tournaments, that gives Verlander an edge. He has a strikeout prediction in the double-digits, higher than any other pitcher taking the mound tonight, and he is a -212 betting favorite in a game set at 8 total runs. That gives the Rangers an implied run total of only 3.3. Despite his high price tag, Verlander is the best pitching option available tonight.
Justin’s Reaction: Jason thinks he has jokes as if I didn’t cash with Jesse Chavez in my lineup. I don’t mind Verlander, but he’s my least favorite option of the trio you mentioned.
Infielder
Justin’s Pick: Harold Castro
Harold Castro is a player that seems to consistently go overlooked, but he has been playing at an elite level recently. Over his last 10 games, he owns a .390 average with a .634 slugging percentage and a 1.021 OPS. He owns six extra-base hits (one home run) and eight RBIs in those contests, as well. Castro also possesses 40% hard hit and 33% line drive rates with a 95 MPH exit velocity over the last 15 days. He gets a plus matchup against Marcus Stroman, and brings 0.15 wOBA and 0.137 ISO differentials against right-handed pitching into tonight’s game. Castro is expected to slide into the two hole for the Detroit Tigers, and he has been playing well enough to safely be considered in all leagues for his ridiculous price tag.
Jason’s Reaction: Noone named Harold should ever hit home runs in the MLB, but Castro did just that yesterday. His price tag is far too low. Great recommendation.
Jason’s Pick: Ozzie Albies
Speaking of second-base-eligible DraftKings’ options that are under-priced tonight, insert Ozzie Albies. In his last 10 games, he is hitting just under .300 with 2 RBIs and a stolen base. That averages out to seven fantasy points per game. More importantly, he is hitting sixth in the Atlanta Braves’ batting order against the left-handed Patrick Corbin, bringing 0.064 ISO and 0.126 wOBA differentials into tonight’s game. He has minor home run upside, as well as stolen base potential. In the last 15 days, he has an average batted ball distance of 240 feet, an average exit velocity on batted balls of 95 MPH, a fly ball rate over 30%, and a hard hit rate of 55%. At sub-$4.0K, there is just no reason to avoid Albies tonight. He can be rostered in all leagues.
Justin’s Reaction: I like Albies quite a bit tonight, and I agree here.
Outfielder
Justin’s Pick: Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge has caught fire over his last 10 games, posting a .324 average with a .568 slugging percentage and a .999 OPS over that span. He also boasts three home runs and five RBIs in those games. Most importantly, Judge has recorded 77% hard hit and 31% fly ball rates to go along with a 99 MPH exit velocity over the last 15 days. He gets an elite matchup against Kyle Freeland, who has struggled quite a bit this season. Judge also possesses 0.11 wOBA and 0.126 ISO differentials against left-handed pitching. He’s expected to hit second in the New York Yankees’ lineups, and he’ll be playing in one of the most hitter-friendly stadiums in the MLB. Judge is a player that can safely be used in both cash games and tournaments.
Jason’s Reaction: There is only one outfielder better than Judge tonight. See below.
Jason’s Pick: Mike Trout
Oh, did you think it was time to spend down at the outfield position? Wrong. Mike Trout is far too good right now to avoid him in cash games or tournaments against Mike Leake and the Seattle Mariners. In his last 10 games, Trout is hitting over .350 with 8 home runs, 18 RBIs, and 7 walks. He is averaging almost 20 fantasy points per game! In the last 15 days, he has an average batted ball distance of 248 feet, an average exit velocity on batted balls of 96 MPH, a fly ball rate just under 50%, and a hard hit rate of 40%. He is a power-hitting outfielder with stolen base potential and contact-hitting consistency. Seriously, just roster him forever until his price tag goes over $7.0K.
Justin’s Reaction: I’ll never say no to Trout, but I would play Judge over him tonight.
Be sure to follow Justin (@BalesSJustin) and Jason (@BalesTJason) on Twitter!
