Do you like left-handed pitchers? Well, this is the slate for you. Not only are the three most-expensive starters southpaws — Chris Sale ($10,500), Tarik Skubal ($10,200) and Ranger Suarez ($9,900) — but Cole Ragans ($9,400) will also be taking the bump. Heck, Tyler Anderson ($7,700) is the probable for the Angels and he’s still rocking an ERA well below 3.00. It’s the year of the lefty!
Let’s dive in and find some studs and values.
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PITCHER
Stud
Luis Castillo, Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers, $8,600 – It feels weird to see Castillo priced below $9K. While the RHP was roughed up in his most recent outing, Castillo had been lights out in his 10 prior starts, registering a 2.01 ERA and 25.7% strikeout rate over 62.2 innings of work. For the season as a whole, his 3.69 xERA and a 12.8% swinging strike rate still suggest he’s one of the league’s best. It’s also important to note that Texas’ lineup isn’t currently running on all cylinders. The Rangers’ own baseball’s third-lowest ISO in June (.099).
Value
Simeon Woods Richardson, Minnesota Twins vs. Oakland Athletics, $7,500 – I’ll admit, my expectations were low when SWR was recalled by the Twins, but the man looks like an entirely different prospect in 2024. Across 50.2 innings, Woods Richardson is in possession of a 2.84 ERA and a 3.54 FIP. More importantly, he’s throwing harder than ever before. The RHP’s average fastball velocity in his lone outing with Minnesota in 2023? 90.5 mph. Now’s he’s sitting at 93.1 mph in 2024. Heck, he averaged 94.0 mph in his last start. That was a career-high. Meanwhile, the Athletics are scuffling. Oakland sports an AL-low 73 wRC+ and an MLB-leading 27.7% strikeout rate since the beginning of June.
INFIELD
Stud
Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles vs. Philadelphia Phillies, $5,700 – It’s ridiculous how good Rutschman has been against LHPs this season. In 89 plate appearances within the split, the backstop is slashing .419/.438/.686 with a 223 wRC+. That fits right in with his teammates, as the Orioles actually lead baseball with a .198 ISO versus southpaws in 2024. Suarez has been amazing, but I just can not fade this lineup.
Stud
Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies, $4,900 – Pretty simple stuff here. Ryan Feltner ($5,000) will take the mound at Coors tonight, a place where he’s allowed opposing left-handed bats to hit .356 with a .610 slugging percentage. For his part, Cruz has been fantastic in opposite-hand matchups this season regardless of altitude, posting a .214 ISO and a 139 wRC+ against RHPs.
Value
Justin Turner, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Cleveland Guardians, $3,600 – Turner’s splits are extreme so far this season. He’s really struggled with right-handed pitching, but has thrived versus LHPs. In 53 plate appearances within the split, Turner is slashing .313/.358/.500 with a 143 wRC+. Logan Allen ($6,500) has just flat-out struggled. The southpaw enters Friday’s slate surrendering a massive .401 wOBA to right-handed opponents in 2024.
Value
Donovan Solano, San Diego Padres at New York Mets, $3,100 – It’s very odd that Solano is suddenly batting clean-up for any team, let alone the Padres, but that’s where we are. That said, Solano has developed into a productive platoon bat in recent years, so a matchup with the left-handed Sean Manaea ($6,200) is a blessing. This season, Solano is hitting .326 off of lefties with a 169 wRC+. With a price tag this close to $3K, that’s more than enough to be viable.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Luis Robert Jr., Chicago White Sox at Arizona Diamondbacks, $4,800 – I’m not sure you can call Robert Jr. hot at the plate, but his recent performance is worth noting. Since returning from the IL, the outfielder has just six hits in 36 plate appearances. However, five of those are home runs. That’s how you hit .188 with a 144 wRC+. Tonight, he and the White Sox with square-off with Ryne Nelson ($5,500). RHBs are slugging .624 with a .462 wOBA off of Nelson so far this season at the MLB level.
Stud
Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians at Toronto Blue Jays, $4,800 – What is going on with Kevin Gausman ($8,500) this season? The perennial Cy Young candidate enters Friday with a 5.14 xERA and an 11.2% opponent barrel rate that sits in the seventh percentile of the league. Woof. He’s also pitched to a 6.68 ERA at Rogers Centre. Enter Kwan, who is in the midst of a breakout campaign. The 26-year-old is hitting .380 with a 148 wRC+ in 2024.
Value
Jack Suwinski, Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies, $3,800 – Suwinski has one skill: Hitting for power off of right-handed pitching. Luckily, that’s the key to being viable at Coors this evening. For his career, Suwinski owns a .230 ISO against RHPs. His overall 12.8% barrel rate is also elite. All it takes is one well-hit ball in Colorado to change a slate.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $200K Bat Flip [$50K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and customer (my username is theglt13) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
