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. EDT 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: Jacob deGrom ($11,400) vs. SD
I don’t always love picking a pitcher this expensive for my lineup, but with the matchups out there today, I think deGrom has some value at this price point and will be worth every penny plus more. Averaging 20.8 FPPG, deGrom has dominated over the past three months, allowing just 27 earned runs over his past 96 innings (2.53 ERA). Also working in our favor, the Padres’ current roster is hitting just .233 against deGrom over the course of his career. Not much hasn’t already been said about the Cy Young winner; just make sure you find value in your lineup because he will take a nice chunk out of your budget today.
Honorable mention: Jose Berrios ($10,600) at CWS.
Value SP: Miles Mikolas ($6,500) at PIT
While it hasn’t been quite the season we were hoping for from the Lizard King, Mikolas has been pitching a lot better of late, giving up three earned runs or fewer in five of his past six starts. Also, he has owned the Pirates this season, giving up just five earned runs over 21 innings. Like always, his key to success will be his sinker, against which luckily a lot of Pirate hitters have trouble. He’s not a bad play at this price point, especially if you want to pair him with somebody as expensive as deGrom.
Honorable mention: Wade LeBlanc ($5,800) vs. DET.
1B: Edwin Encarnacion ($5,400) at BOS (RHP Rick Porcello)
One of the most expensive bats on the board today for good reason, Encarnacion has had a ton of success against Porcello over his career. In 47 at-bats, the power hitter has hit .298 with a .930 OPS. Currently sitting at second in the AL in home runs, I don’t expect EE to see any surprises today, which means he should be taking his parrot for a walk.
Honorable mention: 1B: Francisco Lindor ($4,900) at KC (LHP Mike Montgomery).
2B/OF: Whit Merrifield ($5,100) vs. CLE (RHP Adam Plutko)
One of my favorite pure hitters in the game, it seems like Merrifield can hit in his sleep. Hitting .325 against right-handed pitchers this season, Whit should tee off against a guy like Plutko, who only has one pitch with a positive pitch value. The right-handed hitter is currently averaging 9.5 FPPG and should be a solid rock in most of your lineups today.
Honorable mention: OF: Ramon Laureano ($4,900) vs. TEX (RHP Ariel Jurado).
Value Bat: OF: Jose Martinez ($4,000) at PIT (RHP Joe Musgrove)
Another one of my favorite pure hitters in the game, Martinez is a great play today at his price point. Hitting .294 with two home runs over the past week, the righty is swinging a hot bat for a hot Cardinals team. A career 4-10 against Musgrove, look for Martinez to get something to drive today, as the young right-handed pitcher has really struggled against St. Louis this season.
Honorable mention: OF: Nick Castellanos ($3,900) at SEA (RHP Matt Wisler).
Lineup Stack: New York Yankees at BOS (RHP Porcello)
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Evil Empire is coming off a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins in which they tallied a total of 30 runs scored. Couple that with the highest run total of the day according to Vegas and you got yourself an ideal stack. Not to mention Porcello has given up 11 earned runs in just five innings against the Yankees this season.
Honorable mention: Oakland Athletics vs. TEX (RHP Jurado).
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.