Pitcher List is proud to partner with DraftKings for the 2019 season. We’ll be featuring our top picks for every daily slate through the season.
Tonight’s featured slate starts at 7:05pm ET and covers nine games. DraftKings also has an early featured slate that won’t be covered in this article, featuring the other six games being played today.
Top SP: Mike Clevinger, CLE ($9,900) vs. DET
Clevinger’s ERA is still in shambles after his disaster in Baltimore, but his numbers are otherwise fantastic in six starts this year. Clevinger sports a shiny 2.63 FIP with a dominant 39.7% strikeout rate—these numbers are obviously fueled by a small sample size, but it still goes to show that Clevinger is already been pitching like a top-20 arm since returning from the injured list. He should put together an excellent start against the lowly Tigers lineup, who have been the worst offense in all of baseball against right-handed pitching with their .284 wOBA. Their 25.9% strikeout rate is second-highest against righties, giving Clevinger lots of strikeout upside as well.
Honorable mentions: Gerrit Cole ($12,500) at LAA; Chris Paddack ($10,900) at MIA.
Value SP: Kenta Maeda, LAD ($8,300) at PHI
There’s not much to choose from on this slate if you’re looking for cheap starters, so it looks like Maeda is the cheapest point where you’ll be able to get a guy you can trust some. He’s been a solid option with a 3.82 ERA and a 3.70 deserved run average. Maeda has been able to limit baserunners over his past five starts, posting a 0.98 WHIP. He’s facing a Phillies lineup that has been roughly average against right-handers, with a .313 wOBA. Additionally, the Dodgers lineup should be able to get him a win against Nick Pivetta.
Honorable mention: Danny Duffy ($7,700) vs. CWS.
3B Jose Ramirez, CLE ($4,400) at DET (RHP Spencer Turnbull)
It’s been nearly an entire calendar year since we’ve seen Ramirez as an elite fantasy contributor, so fantasy owners should be excited at his performance over the past month. Ramirez is batting .296 with a .904 OPS over the past 30 days, including four homers and three steals. Ramirez is worth targeting in cash games for his high floor, provided by his 13% strikeout rate and 10.7% walk rate. He should continue his hot hitting against Turnbull, who has a poor 4.76 SIERA.
Honorable mentions: 1B Jose Abreu ($4,200) at KC (LHP Danny Duffy); 1B Edwin Encarnacion ($4,400) vs. TB (RHP Yonny Chirinos); C Buster Posey ($4,200) at COL (RHP Peter Lambert).
OF Michael Brantley, HOU ($4,200) at LAA (RHP Felix Pena)
It’s odd to see Brantley at such an affordable price, as he’s absolutely obliterated righties this year to the tune of a 143 wRC+. It may be because Angels bulk starter Felix Pena is coming off of a combined no-hitter, but his numbers outside of that haven’t been great, with a 4.67 FIP. Brantley is in an outstanding spot for counting stats batting third in the loaded Astros lineup.
Honorable mentions: OF Austin Meadows ($4,300) at NYY (RHP Domingo German); OF Adam Eaton ($4,100) at BAL (RHP Aaron Brooks); SS Brandon Crawford ($3,900) at COL (Lambert).
Value Bat: OF/SS Leury Garcia, CWS ($3,800) at KC (LHP Danny Duffy)
Garcia is worth a look any time the White Sox face a lefty, as he’s been outstanding versus southpaws this season. Garcia is batting .327 with a 124 wRC+ against lefties and faces a weak one in Duffy. Duffy has just a 19.1% strikeout rate with a 4.92 FIP. Garcia is among the cheapest leadoff hitters you’ll be able to find, as he’ll be able to maximize the number of opportunities he gets at the plate. Pairing him with fellow lefty-masher Abreu is a great idea.
Honorable mentions: OF Josh Reddick ($3,300) at LAA (Pena); OF Bryce Harper ($4,100) vs. LAD (Maeda).
Lineup Stack: Orioles vs Nationals (RHP Erick Fedde)
Nationals starter Erick Fedde has somehow survived thus far with a 3.79 ERA, but he’s been abysmal in the majors. His walk rate (11.1%) is nearly higher than his strikeout rate (12.9%), and he lasted just 3 2/3 innings in his last start. The Orioles should have a big performance against him at home in their extremely hitter-friendly park. Jonathan Villar is the top hitter to choose, as he’s got 17 steals and 10 homers and will be leading off for Baltimore. Outfielders Dwight Smith Jr./strong>. ($3,700) and Anthony Santander ($3,900) are value plays to consider. Pretty much every member of this lineup is affordable and can be considered in this stack.
Honorable Mentions: White Sox at Royals (Duffy); Red Sox vs Blue Jays (RHP Aaron Sanchez).
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is troyklauder) 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.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@FreshMeatComm on Twitter).