We’ve got a 13-game slate for Friday’s MLB action.
Let’s find some studs and values for your MLB DFS lineups on DraftKings. This article was written before lineups were announced.
Make your DraftKings MLB DFS picks here: MLB $150K Bat Flip [$50K to 1st]
PITCHER
Stud
MacKenzie Gore, Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels ($8,000) — There are some very good pitching options in the penthouse, but I’m going to be a little frugal and go down a few stories. Sure, the bling won’t be as bright, but the experience could end up being similar. Through 139.2 innings, Gore has a 3.78 FIP and 17.3 K-BB%. He’s put up over 20 FPTS 10 times with a high of 31.4 FPTS. Now, Gore has gotten blown up plenty, so there’s a reason the elevator stops a few levels from the top. In addition, one of the main reasons for advocating Gore is the matchup with the Angels, but that hasn’t guaranteed production. Gore has faced the Angels three times this season, putting up 23.7, 5.2 and 24.4 FPTS. In that stinker, he did get a little unlucky with a .467 BABIP, but he also did allow two home runs. Gore did strike out seven in that outing, though. In the other two starts, he struck out seven and nine. Los Angeles is second in strikeouts, 19th in ISO and 24th in wRC+ against left-handed pitching.
Value
Hayden Wesneski, Houston Astros vs. Athletics ($6,400) — Wesneski did not have a good outing last start, allowing five earned runs in four innings, finishing with 6.2 FPTS. He did strike out six, though, and the FIP was 0.84 with a .538 BABIP. Death by a thousand paper cuts. I’m going right back to the well because Wesneski is a solid pitcher, put up double-digit FPTS in the three prior starts and is very cheap. In 22.2 innings, the FIP is 3.7 compared to the 5.16 ERA.
INFIELD
Stud
Nolan Arenado, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Cincinnati Reds ($4,000) — It’s been more than a minute since Arenado was hitting 40 home runs with 100 runs and 100 RBI. That said, at age 35 years old, he’s still ticking just fine. He has 20 home runs in 463 plate appearances with a 20.7% strikeout rate and .200 ISO. The average exit velocity has decreased from 89 mph to 85 mph, but the bat speed is still at 71.3 mph. Against left-handed pitching, the wRC+ is 117 with a .236 ISO. Nick Lodolo has allowed 11 home runs in 54.1 innings to righties while the FIP is 5.77.
Value
Kaelen Culpepper, Minnesota Twins at San Diego Padres ($2,600) — Speaking of death by a thousand paper cuts, Culpepper has produced fantasy goodies in every game he’s played, yet only two were over 10 FPTS. He has one home run and one double without a stolen base over that span. The BABIP is .417, so he’s been getting lucky and regression will hit, but he’s cheap and we ride the small wave until it is no more. Against right-handed pitching, the strikeout rate is only 19% while the slash is .368/.429/.368 with a 135 wRC+.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners vs. Chicago Cubs ($4,300) — Rodriguez has a 76.7 mph bat speed with a 117 wRC+ and .213 ISO against left-handed pitching. He’s also much better at home with a 145 wRC+ and .212 ISO. Matthew Boyd has allowed 12 home runs in 62.1 innings to righties while the FIP is 5.04.
Value
Colton Cowser, Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays ($2,600) — The power/speed combo is enticing for Cowser and he has 11 home runs and eight stolen bases in 301 plate appearances. Unfortunately, hitting the baseball can be challenging, which is a problem for a baseball hitter. The strikeout rate is 30.2% while the batting average is .212. The average exit velocity is only 87.4 mph but the barrel rate is 11% with a 74.8 mph bat speed. Against right-handed pitching, the wRC+ is 97 with a .153 ISO. 10 of the 11 home runs have come off a righty. Freddy Peralta has had issues with lefties this season, serving up 15 home runs and allowing a slash of .270/.332/.477.
