Pitcher List is proud to partner with DraftKings for the 2019 season. We’ll be featuring our top picks for every daily slate throughout the season and feature articles dedicated to the GPP.
We’ve got a great day of baseball ahead with multiple slates from which to choose on DraftKings. Games start at 12:10 p.m. eastern and run as late as 8:10 p.m., so there’s no way you can’t find the time for some contests.
Top SP: Matt Boyd, ($10,300) vs. MIA
While it seems like the obvious choice, this matchup is too juicy to ignore. I expect Matt Boyd to have a huge DraftKings night as he’ll be facing the Marlins for the first time in his career. The lefty is in the midst of a breakout season, currently sitting in the top 10 in fastball pVAL, while sporting a fastball spin in the 83rd percentile. The Marlins are sitting dead last in MLB this season in most offensive categories, particularly runs, hits, home runs, and RBI. Don’t pass this up.
Honorable Mention: Corbin Martin ($3,900) vs. CWS.
Value SP: Steven Matz, ($7,300) vs. WAS
Steven Matz has had a decent amount of success against the Nationals throughout his career, so it’s a bit surprising that he’s the sixth-cheapest pitcher on the board today. In his only start against Washington this season, the lefty went 5 IP, 0 ER, 8 K’s and has a lifetime 3.60 ERA in 60 innings pitched against the team. Effective when healthy, expect Matz to provide a serious return on investment at this price point against a team that’s really been struggling and is currently 11 games under .500.
Honorable Mention: Antonio Senzatela ($6,400) at PIT .
OF: Michael Brantley, ($5,300) vs. CWS (RHP Lucas Giolito)
A professional hitter, Michael Brantley is having a terrific season in an Astros uniform. Hitting .338 with eight of his 10 HR coming against right-handed pitchers this season, I plan on rostering the All-Star on all of my lineups for tonight. Lucas Giolito has shown flashes of greatness this year, but with Brantley’s gaudy plate discipline numbers and a 3.1% swinging-strike rate, I expect him to get something to drive tonight as this will be Giolito’s toughest test yet this season. Oh yeah, it doesn’t hurt that he has two home runs in six career at-bats against the righty.
Honorable Mention: OF: Tommy Pham ($4,500) at. CLE (RHP Adam Plutko).
2B: Brandon Lowe, ($5,200) at CLE (RHP Adam Plutko)
At just 24 years old, Brandon Lowe has been an integral part of the success of Tampa Bay so far this season. Primarily playing vs. right-handed pitchers, the Maryland product is hitting .299 with eight home runs, 24 RBI, and three stolen bases against righties this season. Making his second start of the season, Adam Plutko has never had much success with his fastball (even though he throws it roughly 60% of the time), and that will be a problem for him against Lowe, who is hitting .340 against four-seam fastballs this year.
Honorable Mention: SS: Trevor Story ($4,900) at PIT (RHP Jordan Lyles).
Value Bat: 1B: Kendrys Morales, ($3,400) at BAL (RHP Dylan Bundy)
Kendrys Morales struggled mightily during his time with Oakland this season, collecting only one home run and seven RBI in 108 at-bats, but things have changed since donning a Yankee uniform. In just 20 at-bats for the Yanks, the switch-hitter already has one home run and four RBI. Typical Yankees. Not only has Morales’ batted-ball profile been great (85th percentile in hard-hit rate, 88th percentile in exit velocity) but he’s also has had a decent amount of success against Bundy, going 6-18 with two home runs. At this price point, I would plug him into your lineup.
Honorable Mention: 1B/3B: Yuli Gurriel ($3,600) vs. CWS (RHP Lucas Giolito).
Lineup Stack: New York Yankees at BAL (RHP Dylan Bundy)
Any time the Yankees are facing the Orioles, it’s a good idea to stack them in DFS solely because of Gleyber Torres. While he didn’t appear in today’s picks (partly because of the fact that his usage rate will be absurd), the Yankees should continue to have success against Baltimore, especially with Dylan Bundy on the mound. Not only has Bundy lost some velocity on his fastball this season, but he also has a career 6.36 career ERA against the Yanks. Vegas has the over/under at nine runs. It’s a recipe for disaster.
Honorable Mention: Tampa Bay Rays at CLE (RHP Adam Plutko).
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is miketherotocop) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games on which I offer advice. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings, and 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 nonpublic information.