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 10:10 p.m., so there’s no way you can’t find the time for some contests.
Top SP: Brandon Woodruff, ($8.900) vs. MIA
At just 26 years old, Woodruff is having the breakout season that many expected. With one of the best fastballs in the entire major leagues at the moment (9.5 pVAL), the young right-hander has become more of a pitcher as opposed to a thrower, which has been a key to his success. Baseball Savant has him in good company as the list of his similar pitchers based on velocity and movement consist of Max Scherzer, German Marquez, and Frankie Montas. Look for him to continue his success against a sub-par Marlins lineup that has never seen him before.
Honorable Mention: Zach Wheeler ($10,500) vs. SF.
Value SP: Dakota Hudson ($6.200) vs. CIN
The options for value starting pitchers aren’t as good as most days, but we have to play with the hand that we’re dealt. Hudson has been surprisingly solid for the Cardinals this season despite having poor peripherals. Still just 24, he has a lot to figure out, but the reason for this play is less about Hudson and more about the Reds struggling vs. right-handed pitchers. Cincinnati currently ranks in the bottom five of the league in runs, hits, average, and OPS. That alone makes Hudson worth the flier.
Honorable Mention: Daniel Norris ($5,800) vs. DET
OF: Mookie Betts, ($4,600) vs. KC (LHP Danny Duffy)
I was very surprised to see Mookie under $5,000 in today’s slate, especially considering his success against Duffy. In his career, Betts is hitting a lofty 6-10 (.600) with four home runs and five RBI against the left-hander. Although he is struggling against left-handed pitchers this season, that seems to be some sort of an anomaly as he has always hit lefties very well. Duffy also has a 6.75 career ERA against Boston, so I’m sure somebody in the lineup will get to him. Take your chances on it being the former MVP.
Honorable Mention: OF: Khris Davis ($3,900) at LAA (LHP Tyler Skaggs).
1B: Luke Voit, ($4,900) at TOR (RHP Edwin Jackson)
Drafted in 2001, it’s hard to believe there’s a place in today’s baseball for Edwin Jackson. The veteran has really struggled in a Blue Jays uniform, and it seems like the end is near for his big league career. While Jackson doesn’t possess any plus pitches, Voit has crushed right-handed pitchers this season with 12 of his 15 HR coming against righties. Look for Voit to get a hold of a subpar fastball in the zone and give you a significant ROI.
Honorable Mention: 1B: Anthony Rizzo ($4,800) vs. COL (RHP Peter Lambert).
Value Bat: OF: Jose Martinez, ($3,400) vs. CIN (RHP Anthony Desclafani)
While the playing time has slowed down a bit for Martinez, he still is one of the best pure hitters the Cardinals have. Not only does he have a ton of success against the Reds in his career (.333 career average), he also has five hits in just nine at-bats against Desclafani. At a very cheap price point, surrounded by some hitters who aren’t even on active rosters, I think Martinez is one of the best value plays out there today.
Honorable Mention: 3B: Colin Moran ($3,900) vs. ATL (RHP Mike Foltynewicz).
Lineup Stack: New York Yankees at TOR (RHP Edwin Jackson)
I always like to look to Vegas odds to check the over/unders when deciding on my lineup stacks. For today’s slate, a bunch of games have high totals, but I prefer the Yankees over the rest. I mentioned how Jackson has one foot out the door in Toronto already, and while the Yankees don’t have the household names we’re used to, they still mash. I expect the ball to be flying out of the Rogers Centre today.
Honorable Mention: New York Mets vs. SF (RHP Shaun Anderson).
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.