RADIO
On this Thursday, September 24th, 12 games will be played throughout the day. As always I will go by game exploiting the matchups that should have the most potential while considering price.
This splits of the batters will be based on opposing starting pitcher handedness. I will be brief but will not sacrifice explaining the reasoning behind my picks. Many of these players will not be the top matchup on their team, but due to their lower price, the potential and reward for the cheaper options are much greater.
I wish you all the best of luck, and feel free to hit me up on twitter for any questions.
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Game by Game Analysis for DraftKings Lineups
Whenever the Rockies play at home, nervousness surrounds whoever is pitching on that given day. The park is so susceptible to hits, especially home runs, that it makes it very hard to advise any pitcher playing in that particular park. That being said, Jeff Locke has been average this season but could very a solid sleeper option at pitcher for today. The Rockies team he faces is less than threatening, and Locke has been able to shut down opposing RHB this season. The LHB he faces are below average, and Locke has a very good chance of owning this game from start to finish.
Clayton Kershaw is always dangerous, so I will not advise any Arizona hitters. On the other side, Patrick Corbin is an above average pitcher with at least an 8.00 K/9 rating against both left and right-handed batters. His 3.32 ERA should be taken note of, and I see both Jimmy Rollins (.334 wOBA / 114 wRC+) and cheaper option Yasmani Grandal (.359 wOBA / 131 wRC+) should be able to produce off of Corbin. Both Rollins and Grandal have had increased production lately, so look for that to continue today against Corbin.
Cole Hamels is a very effective pitcher, and with some help from the pitcher friendly park, he could dominate in all nine innings. Oakland may be able to make contact off of Hamels, and I believe that will happen. I will go against advising Hamels and instead advise Rougned Odor (.347 wOBA / 115 wRC+) against the struggling Chris Bassitt. Bassitt lets up more runs to LHB this season, and Odor is a LHB that has been able to handle pitchers like Bassitt in the past. Look for Odor to have a multiple hit game.
Two inconsistent pitchers leaves me one option. Sleeper pick Clint Robinson (.332 wOBA / 109 wRC+) against Tyler Wilson. Robinson may not have the prettiest stats, but when going up against someone like Wilson, Robinson has the edge. He should have no problem taking Wilson yard especially when the park falls into the favor of the right-handed Robinson.
Although this park is not the best location for pitchers, this matchup should be a duel from the mound. Chris Sale has an incredible 34.3 K% against LHB and 32.1% against RHB. For the Yankees, Michael Pineda fares better against RHB this season, but his 8.09 K/9 and 3.78 ERA vs LHB should be good enough to keep the White Sox from generating much offense while he is on the mound. This should be an exciting one...if you enjoy pitching that is.
Another set of mediocre pitchers leaves me no choice but to simply advise offensive players. For the Red Sox, Deven Marrero (.474 wOBA / 209 wRC+) faces Erasmo Ramirez who has been a below average pitcher against RHB this season. This should be a prime matchup for the cheap option in Marrero. On the other side, Mikie Mahtook (.420 wOBA / 175 wRC+) faces Wade Miley, and due to favorable park dimensions, I see both Marrero and Mahtook having excellent outing today against their opposing pitchers.
The threat on the mound is minimal so this is a chance for you to find value within lower-powered offensive options like Derek Dietrich (.381 wOBA / 142 wRC+). Dietrich has been a source of production all season for the Marlins, and that should not change here. Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr (.376 wOBA / 138 wRC+) should be similar as a cheap option that has a positive matchup.
Going against Steven Matz would not be an advisable decision, so I will stay away from the Reds offense and go straight to Mets’ Kelly Johnson (.331 wOBA / 113 wRC+). Yes, his batting production is slightly below average. That should not keep you from starting Johnson, as his matchup with Josh Smith is an ideal one. Smith has a 9.00 ERA vs LHB this season, and Johnson has a chance to make that number go even higher after today.
Another team that I have trouble advising against but I will go into this confidently regardless. Taylor Jungmann is a talented pitcher that is capable of multiple strikeout performances, even against a team like the Cardinals. His 2.77 ERA vs LHB overshadows the way the park favors LHB. Jungmann is a cheap option for pitcher and should be inserted into any lineup along with Adam Lind (.387 wOBA / 143 wRC+). Lind has been a constant factor for the Brewers offense, and his matchup with Wacha should be one that falls to Lind. Wacha has struggled previously to close out against LHB like Lind, and this should be another one of those times.
Both pitchers have very errant numbers that keep me from confidently advising them. Instead, Ben Zobrist (.454 wOBA / 180 wRC+) should control James Paxton at every at-bat due to Paxton's struggles against RHB this season. Against Johnny Cueto, Jesus Montero (.360 wOBA / 134 wRC+) should get the start today. Montero can make any pitcher pay, especially a RHP that struggles against RHB. This is a matchup for Montero, and his low price should make him an obvious start in any contest.
Both pitchers for each team have very exposed weaknesses. Kyle Gibson has trouble keeping running off the bags, and Cody Anderson has trouble striking out batters. Against Anderson I advise Kurt Suzuki (.274 wOBA / 73 wRC+). This is a risky play but if anything happens today, it is going to be Gibson and Anderson getting mutilated by opposing batters. Along with Suzuki, Abraham Almonte (.357 wOBA / 128 wRC+) should make Gibson realize how long his day is going to be very early in the game.
This is tough because Madison Bumgarner is so good but at the same time too expensive. Instead of advising him I will instead just advise Matt Duffy: Fantasy Baseball Player News & Analysis" target="blank" href="http://dev.rotoballer.com/fantasy-baseball-mlb-player-news/Matt+Duffy">Matt Duffy (.345 wOBA / 125 wRC+) against Ian Kennedy. Kennedy has struggled to keep RHB from producing, and today should be no different. Let Bumgarner pass, but be sure to add Duffy.
Pitchers to Target for DraftKings
Jeff Locke (SP, PIT) - $5,600
Chris Sale (SP, CWS) - $11,600
Michael Pineda (SP, NYY) - $8,600
Taylor Jungmann (SP, MIL) - $8,200
Infielders to Target for DraftKings
Pedro Alvarez (1B/3B, PIT) - $3,700
Jimmy Rollins (SS, LAD) - $3,100
Yasmani Grandal (C, LAD) - $2,900
Rougned Odor (2B, TEX) - $3,400
Clint Robinson (1B/OF) - $2,600
Deven Marrero (2B/SS, BOS) - $2,000
Derek Dietrich (3B/OF, MIA) - $3,300
Kelly Johnson (3B/OF, NYM) - $3,200
Adam Lind (1B, MIL) - $3,900
Ben Zobrist (2B/OF, KC) - $3,900
Jesus Montero (1B, SEA) - $2,200
Kurt Suzuki (C, MIN) - $2,700
Matt Duffy (2B/3B, SF) - $3,500
Outfielders to Target for DraftKings
Mikie Mahtook (TB) - $3,200
Aaron Altherr (PHI) - $3,700
Abraham Almonte (CLE) - $2,700
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