We’ve got a three-game slate for Monday’s MLB action.
Let’s find some studs and values for your DraftKings MLB DFS lineups. This article was written before lineups were announced.
Make your DraftKings MLB DFS picks here: MLB $40K Relay Throw [$10K to 1st]
PITCHER
Stud
Shane Baz, Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays ($8,000) — Baz only threw 68 pitches last start and finished with 1.6 FPTS because he was knocked out of the game after getting hit on the elbow. All indications are that there are no lingering issues. Prior to that outing, Baz put up double-digit FPTS in four of five starts with two over 20 FPTS. Through 173 innings, the FIP is 3.61 and the matchup is a good one, as Toronto is dead-last in ISO, 29th in wOBA and 24th in wRC+.
Value
Jackson Kent, Washington Nationals at Detroit Tigers ($6,000) — Kent has only thrown 32.1 innings, but the ERA is 6.4 with a 15.2% walk rate. The FIP is much lower at 4.37, the barrel rate is 6.9% and he’s allowed only two home runs. In his seven starts, he’s finished with negative fantasy points in two contests, but has three double-digit games. He lasted only four innings in the first three starts, but he’s gone at least five innings in three of the last four starts with one at seven innings with 106 pitches thrown. Against left-handed pitching, Detroit is middle of the pack in ISO, wOBA and wRC+. He’s the cheapest pitcher on the slate and I think he could go overlooked as many may prefer Bailey Ober at $7,100.
INFIELD
Stud
CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals at Detroit Tigers ($5,500) — Abrams has 30 home runs, 89 runs, 97 RBI and 32 stolen bases in 627 plate appearances. River Ryan will be making his Tigers debut but will just be the opener and go around two innings, Keider Montero will pitch the bulk of the innings and he’s allowed 12 home runs to lefties with a 4.67 FIP and 7.1 K-BB%.
Value
Abimelec Ortiz, Washington Nationals at Detroit Tigers ($2,400) — Ortiz has an average exit velocity of 89.5 mph with a 75.6 mph bat speed. All five of his home runs have come off righties while the ISO is .182. He’s also been batting in the heart of the order, so if the Nationals put up some runs, there’s a good chance Ortiz will have a hand in the success.
OUTFIELD
Stud
James Wood, Washington Nationals at Detroit Tigers ($6,000) — I guess we’re stacking against Tigers pitching. Wood has 30 home runs, 103 runs, 76 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 594 plate appearances. The average exit velocity is 95.2 mph, barrel rate is 19.4% and the bat speed is 76.8 mph. Against right-handed pitching, 21 home runs have been hit while the wRC+ is 157 with a .267 ISO.
Value
Grant McCray, San Francisco Giants vs. Minnesota Twins ($2,500) — Make sure that McCray is in the lineup because he’s not an everyday player. He’s pinch hit the last three contests but two of those were against lefties, so I think he gets the nod in this one. Now, the wRC+ is only 44 while the strikeout rate is 30.2% against right-handed pitching, but the ISO is .173. He’s cheap and has some pop. Bailey Ober has served up 13 home runs to lefties while the FIP is 5.27 with a 6.4 K-BB%.
