I think we’ve had to do a weather breakdown at the top of almost half the MLB articles I’ve written so far this season, so why stop a good thing? Basically, it’s going to be really cold for all teams playing outdoors in the northeast and it might rain (or snow) at Coors Field tonight. That’s pretty much all you need to know.
With that out of the way, let’s dive into the everything else you’ll need to set some lineups.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $222K Relay Throw [$50K to 1st]
For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Network app. You also can follow DK Network on Twitter @dknetwork.
PITCHER
Stud
Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers, $8,900 – If what I’m about to say about Ryan feels familiar — it should. We all spent a majority of the first four months of 2023 praising the former top prospect before it all fell apart in the second half. Still, equipped with that splitter, Ryan’s generating swings and misses at an elite rate. The 27-year-old has managed a 34.3% strikeout rate and a 13.8% swinging strike rate through his first three starts of 2024. In 17.0 innings, he’s struck out 24 and walked just two opponents. No matter the sample size, that’s going to raise some eyebrows. Tonight’s Ryan will work against the Tigers, who sit seventh in the league in strikeout rate (24.5%) and 27th in ISO (.119). It’s a good matchup.
Value
Yariel Rodriguez, Toronto Blue Jays at San Diego Padres, $5,000 – Rodriguez’s price on this evening’s slate seems like a clerical error. The algorithm simply overlooking a pitcher that’s only made a single appearance at the MLB level. Don’t get me wrong, there’s risk here. Rodriguez was limited to 68 pitches in his first career start last weekend and the Padres sport a 114 wRC+. However, Rodriguez also struck out six of the 16 batters he faced and touched 97.6 mph with his fastball. All things being equal, his salary should be in the $7K range on Friday. He most certainly shouldn’t be the cheapest pitcher on the board.
INFIELD
Stud
Editor’s Note: Tonight’s game between the Rockies and the Mariners has been postponed due to inclement weather.
Ezequiel Tovar, Colorado Rockies vs. Seattle Mariners, $4,900 – Tovar might be in the midst of a breakout season. After signing a massive extension in Spring Training, the shortstop has started the season red-hot, slashing .306/.363/.486 with a 120 wRC+ across his first 80 plate appearances. He’s also taken up residency in the two-spot in the Rockies’ lineup. That alone makes Tovar viable in a contest at Coors, but the presence of Emerson Hancock ($6,400) certainly doesn’t hurt. Hancock has already surrendered four home runs to RHBs in 2024 — with right-handed opponents of the pitcher currently combining for an .833 slugging percentage.
Stud
Vinnie Pasquantino, Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles, $4,800 – It took a couple weeks, but Pasquantino finally looks like himself again. The first baseman is currently riding a seven-game hitting streak where his overall slash line is an insane .500/.567/1.083. That’s what you rack up eight extra-base hits in the span of 24 at-bats. As it pertains to tonight, I don’t expect Dean Kremer ($6,600) is going to be the one to slow Pasquantino down. Kremer owns a 6.40 xERA through three starts and he’s conceding 2.20 opponent home runs per nine.
Value
Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals, $3,700 – I keep a small list in my desk titled “Pitchers Who Might Be Washed” and you best believe Kyle Gibson ($7,300) is on said list. To wit, through three starts in 2024, Gibson sports a 7.96 xERA and a 15.3% opponent barrel rate. Not exactly what the Cardinals signed up for. I think the Brewers are a strong team to stack on Friday, with Turang being one of the most cost-effective assets in the lineup. Not only does the infielder own a 127 wRC+, but he leads baseball in steals (9).
Value
Ryan O’Hearn, Baltimore Orioles at Kansas City Royals, $3,600 – It’s Ryan O’Hearn’s world and we’re all just living in it. After coming out of nowhere to be a productive bat in Orioles’ lineup last season, O’Hearn’s been even better to start 2024, hitting .319 with a .340 ISO and a 201 wRC+. The 30-year-old is somehow sitting in the 100th percentile in expected wOBA, expected slugging and expected batting average. What is happening?! The cherry on top for Friday night? This is a revenge game against the Royals — his former team.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Aaron Judge, New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays, $6,100 – I know Judge is in the middle of a hellacious slump, but I just can’t ignore this matchup with Tyler Alexander ($5,500). The LHP has faced 50 right-handed opponents in 2024 and they’ve combined to hit .383 with a .681 slugging percentage and a .476 wOBA. Woof. Meanwhile, Judge has registered a career 165 wRC+ against southpaws. The former MVP ended the Yankees’ recent series in Toronto with a huge game-winning hit. Maybe it’s the start of a hot streak.
Stud
Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves vs. Texas Rangers, $5,300 – It’s odd to look at the trajectory of Ozuna. After being one of the worst hitters in baseball in 2021 and 2022, a switch suddenly flipped in 2023. Ozuna hit a career-high 40 home runs and posted a .396 expected wOBA. It wasn’t out of nowhere — Ozuna was a very good hitter in his 20s — but it was unexpected. Well, he’s been even better in 2024. In 77 plate appearances, Ozuna has managed eight long balls and a 205 wRC+. Considering all that, and how well he’s recently hit left-handed pitching, he’s obviously viable in his matchup against Andrew Heaney ($6,500).
Value
Colton Cowser, Baltimore Orioles at Kansas City Royals, $3,900 – For a lineup that leads baseball in home runs, the Orioles have some pretty cheap stacking options. Cowser might be the most appealing of the group, as he’s slashing .417/.450/.833 off of right-handed pitching so far in 2024. Alec Marsh ($7,000) is right-handed. Alec Marsh has a career 5.44 ERA. Alec Marsh isn’t all that special.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $222K Relay Throw [$50K to 1st]
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
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.
