Slate Details
DK – Main slate (10 games) – starts 12:40 p.m. EDT
FD – Main slate (11 games) – starts 12:40 p.m. EDT
Weather Impact
There is a chance for a delay in CIN@STL but they should be able to play the game. Very good chance for a delay in SD@COL and they may be in danger of PPD so tread lightly. The rest of the slate should be able to dance around the inclement weather with no issues.
Pitching
Bryce Elder was roughed up a bit by the long ball in his last start against the Mets, but he did strike out eight batters in six innings. It was the first blip on what has otherwise been an immaculate first half of the season for Elder and I think he gets back on the right track against Washington today. The Nationals lineup isn’t exactly known for their power and hopefully, we get a performance like Elder had in his last start against Washington when he pitched a complete game shutout in September.
Kyle Gibson is a very safe option against a Kansas City team that just can’t get out of their own way at the plate. The Royals have scored two or fewer runs in seven of their last nine games. Cash games especially, you can feel comfortable plugging Gibson into your lineup.
Today will be a real test for Mitch Keller, who has shown some cracks in his armor over the last few starts. Last one against Oakland was especially concerning as the strikeouts weren’t there and his command was just off. If you believe in Mitch, this could be a nice bounce-back spot as I don’t think he’ll be highly rostered. If you don’t believe in Mitch, stay away. (FYI, I believe)
The Twins have been striking out more than any team in baseball over the last few weeks (30.4 K%) and on Sunday they face Kevin Gausman, who has 24 Ks in his last two starts spanning 13.2 innings. Even if he gives up a few runs, the strikeouts alone will get you plenty of DFS points.
In the Oakland/Milwaukee matchup, you’d think I’d be all in on Freddy Peralta on Sunday. But you would be wrong because I’m rolling with my man JP Sears on the mound. I was a little shocked to see his 5.31 PLV but the fact of the matter is Sears has been an extremely effective pitcher this season and he does it in different ways. Sometimes he racks up the strikeouts, other times he induces weak contact. Even last week, he managed to still only give up one ER in 4.2 innings despite five walks. Sears is a good lower-priced guy to shake things up and the Brewers lineup certainly hasn’t been anything to be scared of lately. Roll with Sears as the Athletics look to win their fifth straight game and pull off a miraculous sweep in Milwaukee.
Pitcher Pricing 6-11-2023
Hitting
Taijuan Walker is coming off a start of seven shutout innings against Detroit, but the Dodgers are in town and that means trouble for the Phillies starter. On May 1st, the Dodgers banged out eight hits and eight ERs, including three HRs, off Walker in just 3.1 innings. Los Angeles has also banged a league-leading 27 HRs over the last two weeks. J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts have 13 of those HRs by themselves and Freddie Freeman has been an impossible out of late. Honestly, just check the Dodgers lineup and feel free to put any of them in your lineup. They roughed up Aaron Nola for six ERs before digging into the bullpen yesterday, so I expect more of the same against Walker.
If you weren’t surprised by the Dodgers being featured here, I’m sure you are also not surprised by the Braves being included. Atlanta’s offense has just been pestering opposing pitchers during their seven-game-win streak, frustrating them into making mistakes. The trio of Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley are up to their usual hard-hitting ways but veterans Eddie Rosario, Marcell Ozuna, and Orlando Arcia are also making noise. Whichever catcher, Sean Murphy or Travis d’Arnaud, is in the lineup is a great play as well and you know former NL ROY Michael Harris II will break out of this funk sometime.
Other hitters to consider:
- You never know what kind of performance you will get from the Pirates’ offense but they have a chance for a big game against Carlos Carrasco. Ke’Bryan Hayes and Jack Suwinski have been swinging the bat well and low-priced guys like Ji-Hwan Bae and Tucupita Marcano provide significant value with their speed.
- Love the Padres against Dinelson Lamet in Coors. With Manny Machado back in the lineup, San Diego has to start getting it going if they want to be in the playoff picture. Any of their core of Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth and Machado has the opportunity to go crazy today.
Hitter Pricing 6-11-23