Pitchers
Top Tier
Masahiro Tanaka (-230): It’s always kind of scary when Masahiro Tanaka is my top overall option, but he has been on fire over the last month sporting a 2.56 SIERA and 31.6% strikeouts. He still has an issue with allowing power, which is definitely a concern against the Rangers, but it is somewhat balanced when accounting for the strikeouts in this lineup as well. Gerrit Cole is much safer, but I love Tanaka’s upside in this matchup and he comes with plenty of savings on DraftKings.
Mid Tier
Shane Bieber (-152): I bet you all knew this one was coming. One of my favorite pitcher’s in the entire MLB, Bieber is in an elite matchup with the strikeout prone Chicago White Sox on Friday night. His pitching profile shows shades of Aaron Nola, and I continue to be amazed by his ability to command all of his pitches at such a young age. The White Sox are tied for 1st in the majors in K% against righties at 25.7% and the lack of intimidating left-handed bats makes this an even better matchup for Biebs.
Low Tier
Austin Gomber (-150): Man, I just can’t quit this kid! After he burned me a week ago, I’m going right back to the well tonight at his price. The Royals come in striking out at the 9th highest rate against southpaws this season (23.1%) and over the last 30 days that number actually balloons all the way up to over 27%! Gomber’s stuff is fantastic and his pitch count should continue to ramp up each start. I’m a bit worried because Vegas has been all over the Royals, but the risk is priced in and I will most likely slot in Gomber as my top SP2 tonight.
Batters
Top Tier: Giancarlo Stanton- Stanton doesn’t often find himself in this section given his strikeout tendencies, but all should be well tonight against Mike Minor. Minor allows over 40% fly-balls and hard-hits, which should land him in hot water against Stanton and his .350 ISO against left-handed pitchers.
Mid Tier: Eduardo Escobar- I’m not sure what’s up with this price, but Escobar comes in at just $4,400 on DraftKings hitting cleanup for the Diamondbacks against Anthony DeSclafani. DeSclafani has been egregious against lefties this season pitching to a 5.36 xFIP with 16% strikeouts and allowing over 40% fly balls and hard contact. The Diamondbacks own one of the larger implied team totals on the slate and Escobar is locked into the heart of the order, with fantastic splits vs RHP.
Low Tier: Logan Morrison- Joe Mauer is also in play at the same position for the Twins, but if I’m going to play one of them I’m chasing the power upside and that comes with LoMo. Morrison has a fantastic batted ball profile against right-handed pitching this season and opposing starter Jordan Zimermann has surrendered more than one homer in each of his last three starts.
Tournament Stack of the Day
Minnesota Twins- As I just touched on with LoMo, Zimmermann has been horrid over the last month following suit with the entire Tigers team. Over the last 30 days, Zimmermann has given up 43% hard-hits and 40% fly-balls while getting tagged for 8 homers, the second most on the slate over that span. The Twins have waved the white flag on the season, but they still provide value in DFS and I’m focused on Eddie Rosario, Logan Morrison, Joe Mauer, Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler tonight.
Written by Ben Hossler (Follow @BenHossler on Twitter)
