Who do the Pirates think they are? Because from where I’m sitting, Pittsburgh’s 6:40 p.m. ET start time this evening is the only thing keeping us from a rare 15-game MLB featured slate. It’s okay. I didn’t want to write about Bailey Falter, anyway.
Let’s focus on the 14 contests we do have and find some studs and values.
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PITCHER
Stud
Carlos Rodon, New York Yankees vs. Colorado Rockies, $9,700 – Rodon’s an interesting DFS asset. On the one hand, he owns a 5.28 ERA across his last nine starts. On the other, in that same span, the left-hander has posted an eye-popping 32.2% strikeout rate — the highest mark among qualified pitchers in the American League since June 27. At the end of the day, I guess I’m just a sucker for upside. Especially when Rodon happens to be facing the lowly Rockies away from Coors Field. In August, Colorado possesses the league’s second-highest strikeout rate (28.3%) and an 80 wRC+. It’s an ugly combo.
Value
Hayden Birdsong, San Francisco Giants at Seattle Mariners, $6,600 – Birdsong is almost like a younger, right-handed version of Rodon. It’s the same archetype: High strikeout rate with a lot of walks and home runs allowed. Fun! Still, how often do you find a pitching option below $7K averaging 10.7 strikeouts per nine over 41.1 innings? I’ll answer my own question. It’s not often. Birdsong also draws a great matchup in the Mariners. Seattle is hitting so poorly both its manager and hitting coach were fired on Thursday. To be specific, the Mariners are batting .200 in August with a 28.3% strikeout rate. Woof.
INFIELD
Stud
Editor’s Note: Blue Jays 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is not in the lineup for tonight’s game vs. the Angels.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels, $5,500 – Vlad’s price tag is finally up among the highest at his position, but with the way he’s been swinging the bat, he remains viable. In his 140 plate appearances since the All-Star break, Guerrero is slashing .400/.479/.825 with 12 home runs and a 256 wRC+. He’s simply been one of the most dangerous hitters on the planet. Meanwhile, Jack Kochanowicz ($5,000) is not ready to be in the majors. The 23-year-old had never pitched above Double-A prior to his initial call-up and he’s allowed opposing RHBs to combine for a .605 slugging percentage at the MLB level.
Stud
Jake Burger, Miami Marlins vs. Chicago Cubs, $5,200 – I just have to give Burger some love. The Marlins’ lineup looks like a collection of Spring Training players each and every night, but Burger continues to rake. Since the beginning of August, the veteran is slashing .307/.384/.747 with 10 long balls and a 201 wRC+. Tonight, he’ll draw a fantastic matchup in the form of Kyle Hendricks ($6,100), who owns a 6.35 ERA and is allowing 1.78 opponent home runs per nine this season.
Value
Colt Keith, Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox, $3,600 – If you remove a terribly slow April, Keith is actually having a pretty impressive rookie campaign. In the 339 plate appearances he’s taken since May 1, Keith is hitting .288 with a .783 OPS and a 121 wRC+. Not bad for a middle infielder. On Friday, Keith and the Tigers will get the pleasure of squaring off with Chris Flexen ($3,600). The RHP is surrendering 2.06 home runs per nine to opposing left-handed bats. Flexen also sports a 7.92 ERA since the All-Star break.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Tampa Bay Rays, $6,100 – There’s obviously going to be an opener involved, but the Dodgers will get to see a lot of Tyler Alexander ($7,900) this evening. That’s great news for anyone planning to stack Los Angeles’ bats. Alexander has struggled to a 5.17 ERA and a 5.13 xERA this season, allowing a whopping 1.88 opponent home runs per nine. He’s also left-handed. Betts is hitting .337 with a 153 wRC+ off of southpaws in 2024, in case you were wondering.
Stud
Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox, $5,000 – There are always two things to keep in mind when considering Greene for your lineups: Handedness and location. The former top prospect has certainly broken out in 2024, yet he still struggles in left-on-left matchups. Against RHPs? Greene sports an .883 OPS and a 148 wRC+. Greene’s also showcased his power much more consistently away from the spacious Comerica Park. To wit, 13 of his 18 home runs this season have come on the road. He’s in a great spot on Friday, in Chicago, facing the floundering Flexen.
Value
Joey Loperfido, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels, $2,600 – Let’s go back to the well with Loperfido, who happens to be $200 cheaper than he was on Thursday, despite picking up a pair of hits. Loperfido now has six hits in his last four games, including two triples and a home run. He’s starting to find a comfort zone in Toronto and he draws a tasty opposite-hand matchup with the aforementioned Kochanowicz. How can you go wrong his close to the minimum?
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
