There will be no shortage of baseball on Tuesday. In fact, while tonight’s featured MLB slate is a full 15 games, there’s actually 17 contests on today’s schedule, as both the Cubs and the Angels will host split doubleheaders.
It’s enough to make your head spin, but not to worry. I’ve got you covered with all the information you’ll need to fill out a few lineups. Let’s go position-by-position and break at all down from a DFS perspective.
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PITCHER
Stud
Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays, $9,300 - While it hasn’t been a very consistent campaign for Rodriguez, the strikeout numbers he’s been able to muster in his past four starts are quiet tantalizing. The left-hander has faced 69 opposing hitters in that span of time and has retired a whopping 39.1% of them on strikes. It’s also a stretch that’s seen Rodriguez exceed 30.0 DKFP in the two games he was able to pitch at least five innings, so the ceiling isn’t all that difficult to see. He’s not a cash game asset, but in GPPs, Rodriguez should be able to do some damage against a Rays’ lineup that leads the AL in strikeout rate versus LHPs (26.8%).
Value
Aaron Ashby, Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs, $4,400 - This is will be the second start of Ashby’s career, after the 23-year-old failed to get out of the first inning in his MLB debut. That contest was also against the Cubs, but the personnel couldn’t have changed more in the last two months. Since the beginning of August, Chicago leads the league with a 32.7% strikeout rate, while the team has also managed a lowly 65 wRC+. Ashby might not have a lot of experience, yet at this point, the Cubs are basically a Triple-A roster, and the left-hander has dominated Triple-A. To wit, Ashby has posted a 2.28 xFIP and a 36.0% strikeout rate in his 62.0 minor league innings in 2021.
CATCHER
Stud
Eric Haase, Detroit Tigers at Baltimore Orioles, $5,400 - If you had told me two months ago I’d willingly be paying more than $5K for Haase, I’d think you were insane. However, there hasn’t been a catcher with more consistent power numbers against left-handed pitching. Haase is slashing .329/.356/.732 with a 189 wRC+ within the split so far this season. He also owns a .922 OPS and a .339 ISO when getting the chance to hit away from the spacious Comerica Park. Those are some huge figures.
Value
Austin Nola, San Diego Padres vs. Miami Marlins, $3,800 - It has been a long, injury-plagued season for Nola, but it really seems like things are starting to fall into place for the veteran. Since the All-Star break, the backstop is hitting .414 with a 164 wRC+, while Nola is also batting above .400 against LHPs for the entirety of 2021. The sample sizes aren’t massive, but with Braxton Garrett ($6,900) owning a 6.06 xERA, I’ll take my chances with any piece of the Padres’ lineup this evening.
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FIRST BASE
Stud
Jonathan Schoop, Detroit Tigers at Baltimore Orioles, $4,700 - The Orioles will turn to Keegan Akin ($5,100) to start tonight’s contest, which has not gone well in the past. The left-hander has an 8.82 ERA in his eight non-bullpen outings, as opponents have hit .403 off of Akin the second time he faces a lineup. Meanwhile, Schoop is on absolute fire, especially when up against a lefty. Since the beginning of June, Schoop is slugging .803 with a 249 wRC+ in his 82 plate appearances within the split. Needless to say, that’s pretty damn good.
Value
Ty France, Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers, $3,900 - France has been looking great at the dish since the All-Star break, slashing .322/.378/.478 with a 143 wRC+ and just a 12.2% strikeout rate. He’ll likely be able to continue that success this evening, as the Mariners will face the struggling Kolby Allard ($6,400). The LHP has pitched to an ugly 8.88 ERA in his past five starts, the direct result of surrendering 3.0 opponent home runs per nine.
SECOND BASE
Stud
Jonathan India, Cincinnati Reds at Atlanta Braves, $5,100 - Though Drew Smyly ($6,900) has pitched better the past couple of months, the veteran has still allowed a staggering 1.78 opponent home runs per nine in 2021. It’s a flaw that the Reds — and specifically India — should be able to take advantage of. The rookie infielder has 95 plate appearances versus LHPs so far this season and he’s slashing .358/.453/.494 with a .412 wOBA within the split. He’s also batting leadoff, which makes five PAs in tonight’s contest a near certainty.
Value
Whit Merrifield, Kansas City Royals vs. New York Yankees, $3,800 - We’ve finally reached the point where Merrifield’s salary has fallen too far. Yes, the former All-Star isn’t having an incredible season with the bat, but he’s still hitting .292 with a 109 wRC+ against southpaws, which is what he’ll see tonight in the form of Nestor Cortes ($8,500). Merrifield also leads the league in stolen bases (31) and is third in batted ball events (382), so it’s not as if he doesn’t contribute in a variety of ways.
THIRD BASE
Stud
Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays, $5,900 - After hitting five quick home runs following the All-Star break, Devers has had a quiet start to August. However, he’s in line to break out in his matchup with Luis Patino ($8,300) on Tuesday. To be blunt, Patino has been awful against LHBs in his brief MLB career, as he’s walked more lefties (10) than he’s been able to strikeout (8). That’s translated into Patino owning a ghastly 8.11 xFIP within the split and opposing left-handed bats combining for a robust .384 wOBA.
Value
Josh Donaldson, Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox, $4,100 - We’re getting to a point in the season were I wouldn’t be shocked if the Twins shut Donaldson down, as nagging leg injuries are beginning to threaten the 35-year-old’s career. However, when Donaldson is actually able to take the field, the former American League MVP can still mash with the best of them. In fact, in 108 plate appearances against LHPs in 2021, Donaldson possesses an .880 OPS and a 140 wRC+. Dallas Keuchel ($8,700), who has conceded six long balls in his past three starts, would be wise to take the veteran’s presence seriously.
SHORTSTOP
Stud
Trea Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies, $5,800 - Due to a few injuries and seven-inning games, the top-end of the shortstop position isn’t as strong as usual on Tuesday. Still, there’s never a bad time to use Turner, especially now that he’s hitting atop the most stacked lineup in baseball. It’s also not like Aaron Nola ($10,500) has been pitching like an ace as of late. In fact, in Nola’s past six outings, the former first-round pick has a 5.80 ERA and he’s surrendered 1.8 opponent home runs per nine. Don’t sleep on the Dodgers.
Value
Carlos Correa, Houston Astros vs. Colorado Rockies, $4,100 - While Correa does only have a .603 OPS since the All-Star break, the shortstop is showing signs of breaking out, as he’s hit two home runs in his past four games. He’ll also draw a matchup with Jon Gray ($9,100) on Tuesday, who has not pitched well away from Coors Field so far in 2021. In fact, Gray has allowed the 85 RHBs he’s faced on the road this season to slash .333/.381/.590. In short, the Astros are going to score a few runs tonight.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Cedric Mullins, Baltimore Orioles vs. Detroit Tigers, $4,800 - It seems like no matter what amazing stats Mullins is able to post, you’ll still be able to get the “I’ve never heard of this guy” discount on DraftKings. Honestly, the fact that Baltimore’s leadoff man is still slotted below the $5K mark is astounding. Since the All-Star Game — a contest that Mullins started for the American League — the 26-year-old is slashing .351/.405/.597 with a 1.002 OPS and a 175 wRC+. He’s very, very talented and Casey Mize ($7,300) has had his issues with LHBs, conceding 2.19 home runs per nine within the split in 2021.
Value
Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants, $3,500 - This is a robbery. Marte was consistently priced above $5K prior to going on the IL and now he’s an absolute steal at $3.5K. Sure, he’s been limited to 176 plate appearances in 2021, but Marte is hitting .348 with a 142 wRC+ in those opportunities. He’s also slashing .438/.460/.688 with a 1.148 OPS in his 50 PAs versus left-handed pitchers this season. He’s just far too cheap.
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