The end of the baseball season is an odd thing. Obviously, there’s a certain level of relief that this monstrous 162-game schedule is nearing its completion and there’s excitement for the playoffs, but the MLB season coincides with summer, too. That’s also wrapping up. I guess what I’m trying to say is: Savor this evening’s featured slate on DraftKings.
It’s the last weekend of August. Let’s break it all down.
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PITCHER
Stud
Blake Snell, San Francisco Giants vs. Miami Marlins, $10,200 – Let’s not overthink things at the top, shall we? Snell’s been virtually unhittable since the beginning of July, posting a 1.30 ERA and a 2.12 FIP across his last nine starts. His strikeout rate within that span? A cool 37.1%. If that wasn’t enough of a draw, let’s also consider the premium matchup. The Marlins enter Friday in possession of a 78 wRC+ against LHPs — the lowest mark in the National League. Add in the always difficult adjustment of your first game after leaving Coors Field, and I see little reason to fade Snell on this slate.
Value
Tylor Megill, New York Mets at Chicago White Sox, $7,400 – When in doubt, pick the guy who is going up against the White Sox. It’s a pretty easy formula. Chicago enters Friday’s action sitting dead-last in ISO (.122), wOBA (.273) and wRC+ (74). It’s a lineup with almost no redeeming qualities. It’s also not like Megill doesn’t possess some serious upside on his own merit. Though his 5.17 ERA with the Mets is inflated, Megill is averaging 10.53 strikeouts per nine at the MLB level in 2024. He’s got a 3.09 FIP and a 32.9% strikeout rate in Triple-A, too.
INFIELD
Stud
Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, $6,500 – Ramirez is incredibly expensive on Friday, but I promise, this juice is worth the squeeze. The switch-hitter is always dangerous, but in 2024, Ramirez has clearly been at his best in matchups with southpaws. In fact, across 162 plate appearances within the split, Ramirez is slashing .353/.383/.693 with a .340 ISO and a 194 wRC+. Bailey Falter ($5,900) and his 5.11 xERA don’t stand a chance.
Stud
Francisco Lindor, New York Mets at Chicago White Sox, $5,600 – Lindor has put himself in the race for NL MVP with his fantastic play since the All-Star break. To wit, in his last 180 plate appearances, the switch-hitter is slashing .307/.361/.572 with a 161 wRC+. Tonight, he’ll get the pleasure of facing off with Jonathan Cannon ($5,600), who has surrendered five earned runs in each of his past two starts. LHBs have specifically given Cannon fits this season, as he’s allowing 1.77 home runs per nine within the split.
Value
Ramon Urias, Baltimore Orioles at Colorado Rockies, $3,800 – All the Orioles’ bats have seen their price tag spike with a trip to Coors on the schedule, but Urias remains a cost-effective way to get some exposure to the altitude. He helps that the infielder has also been on fire since the Midsummer Classic. In his last 107 plate appearances, Urias has registered an .866 OPS and a 145 wRC+. In an opposite-hand matchup with Austin Gomber ($6,500), Urias is certainly viable.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals, $6,100 – Alvarez has a couple more days to add to his insane August numbers. Since the beginning of the month, the All-Star is hitting .390 with eight home runs and a .503 wOBA. That is one heck of a stretch. Meanwhile, Seth Lugo ($9,100) has been regressing. The veteran RHP owns a 6.25 ERA over his last six starts and a huge reason for his struggles have been LHBs. In this span, lefties are batting .324 off Lugo with a .404 wOBA.
Value
Jhonkensky Noel, Cleveland Guardians vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, $3,900 – It’s a small sample size, but Noel’s numbers against left-handers at the MLB level are like Christmas in August. In 48 plate appearances, the 23-year-old has mashed seven home runs. That’s right. Seven. That equates out to a .548 ISO and a 219 wRC+. So, I guess you could say he possesses some ceiling in this matchup with the aforementioned Falter, who sports a 5.63 ERA since the beginning of June.
Value
Jesse Winker, New York Mets at Chicago White Sox, $3,400 – Another left-handed bat to stack against Cannon and the White Sox’s horrid bullpen. Winker’s been the ultimate platoon bat in 2024. In his 347 plate appearances against RHPs, the veteran outfielder has managed an .811 OPS and a 130 wRC+. Winker will likely be hitting fifth in tonight’s lineup for the Mets. How could you ask for more at this price?
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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.
