RADIO
As always, my goal with this article is to help you identify viable options to insert into your DraftKings lineups, based on pricing and matchups data. Here's a compilation of players I like when choosing a lineup for Friday, August 14th.
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Offenses to Target for DraftKings Stacking
Washington Nationals LHB vs Matt Cain
The Washington Nationals hold the best offense in the league against right-handed pitching as left-handed batters, with a wRC+ of 133. The Nationals will go up against the struggling Matt Cain, who has given up a combined 16 hits and 6 walks in his last 9.0 innings of work. Cain now holds a 5.59 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP on the year. Bryce Harper is worth a roster spot as always, while Clint Robinson could provide value at a dirt cheap price if he is in the starting lineup on Friday.
St. Louis Cardinals LHB vs Tom Koehler
The St. Louis Cardinals hold a top ten offense against right-handed pitching as left-handed batters, with a wRC+ of 111. Be sure to take a look at Kolten Wong, Matt Carpenter, and Jason Heyward as you put together your lineup on Friday. Tom Koehler has struggled against weaker offenses in his past few starts, and has also been prone to the long ball this season.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for DraftKings
Corey Kluber (SP, CLE) - $10600
Corey Kluber has remained inconsistent deep into the season. However, he has the best matchup among ace pitchers on Friday. Kluber still also has the highest ceiling for a performance on any given day, so be sure to roll with Kluber if you’re entering a larger pool on DraftKings. Kluber will face the Minnesota Twins, the same team he dominated to the tune of 10 strikeouts over a complete game less than one week ago. The Twins hold a bottom ten offense against right-handed pitching with a wRC+ of 90.
Kyle Hendricks (SP, CHC) - $7400
Kyle Hendricks remains overlooked as a consistent value pick for your secondary pitching slot. It is important to play matchups with Hendricks, as his best performances this season have come mostly against weaker offenses. Hendricks will face the Chicago White Sox, who hold a bottom ten offense against right-handed pitching with a wRC+ of 92.
DFS Infielders to Consider for DraftKings
Brian McCann (C, NYY) - $3600
Brian McCann is a must-start on Friday, as he faces opposing pitcher David Price on the road. McCann holds a wRC+ of 109 against left-handed pitching on the year and heads into Friday with home runs in consecutive games. McCann is also a career 9 for 19 with three home runs and a walk against Price.
Anthony Rizzo (1B, CHC) - $4900
Anthony Rizzo should be a great play against opposing pitcher Jeff Samardzija on the road. Rizzo has crushed right-handed pitching this year, holding a wRC+ of 147. Samardzija on the other hand has had an abysmal strikeout rate since the All Star Break and has been lit up in two straight outings. Rizzo should be a lock for production given the circumstances.
Brandon Phillips (2B, CIN) - $3500
Brandon Phillips has been an absolute model of consistency and his low investment price makes him as safe of a play as ever in smaller competition pools on DraftKings. Phillips is the hottest second baseman in the league and heads into Friday with a six-game hitting streak. He will face opposing pitcher Alex Wood on the road. Phillips holds a wRC+ of 109 against left-handed pitching this year.
Matt Carpenter (3B, STL) - $4600
As mentioned earlier, Matt Carpenter warrants serious consideration, as he faces opposing pitcher Tom Koehler at home. Carpenter has dominated right-handed pitching this year, holding a wOBA of .382. Carpenter heads into Friday with a nine-game hitting streak. His consistency as well as Koehler’s struggles make Carpenter an excellent value pick for any roster.
Jung Ho Kang (SS, HOU) - $3500
Jung Ho Kang’s utility over the past few weeks rivals that of fantasy darling Carlos Correa. However, Kang comes at a much cheaper price. Kang will face opposing pitcher Bartolo Colon on the road. Kang has hit right-handed pitching extremely well this year, holding a wRC+ of 136. Take a moment and contrast Kang’s solid consistency with the roller coaster ride that Colon’s ERA has taken this year.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for DraftKings
Andrew McCutchen (OF, PIT) - $4800
Andrew McCutchen should be paired with Kang in your DraftKings lineup on Friday. McCutchen has crushed opposing right-handed pitching this year, with a wRC+ of 154. Lately, Cutch has looked like the perennial MVP candidate we know him to be. He is 15 for his last 28 with three home runs and should be targeted as your primary outfielder against opposing pitcher Bartolo Colon on the road.
Jacoby Ellsbury (OF, NYY) - $3800
Jacoby Ellsbury makes for a sneaky sleeper pick on Friday against opposing pitcher David Price on the road. Ellsbury doesn’t have the same offensive prowess that he had earlier this season and has struggled against left-handed pitching this year. However, he looked comfortable at the plate on Wednesday, and his great lifetime numbers against Price bodes well for Ellsbury. Against Price, Ellsbury is a career 18 for 53 with a home run.
Stephen Piscotty (OF, STL) - $3300
Stephen Piscotty has provided a key spark to the Cardinals offense, and his consistency at the plate makes him a great value pick as your tertiary outfielder on DraftKings. If you are entering a smaller pool, Piscotty is a great pick because of his RBI opportunities and his batting average. Piscotty will face opposing pitcher Tom Koehler at home on Friday. Piscotty has hit right-handed pitching extremely well since being called up, holding a wOBA of .357.
DFS Q&A with Max Petrie @ 6 PM on 8/14
Leave your question here and then come back at 6 PM when Max answers everything. For our regular MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat, click here.
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