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We have a full slate of games this Friday evening, with the Dodgers and Cubs isolated as the lone early game. Players in that game aren’t available for big contests. If you’re unfamiliar with OwnersBox, they offer a unique roster format that includes one pitcher, four IF, three OF, and one Super Flex (OF, IF, and P).
Starting Pitchers
If you’re looking to spend up at pitching, look no further than Shohei Ohtani ($10,800 DraftKings, 11,000 Owners Box) who takes on the lowly Kansas City Royals. They are tied for the 6th highest strikeout rate (25%) and have the 2nd worst wRC+ (61) vs righties this season.
Don’t think I really need to sell you all on Shohei, but if you need more convincing look at all that dark red on his player page. Last year he nearly no-hit the Royals and finished with eight innings pitched, two hits allowed, one walk, and 13 strikeouts.
A little further down the board, lies another ace who is off to a slow start this year. Aaron Nola (9,400 DK and OB) will likely have low ownership tomorrow, and that’s the time to buy if you’re playing a GPP contest. The Rockies are notoriously worse on the road and have the 3rd worst wRC+ (76) and 13th worst K% (23.7%) against right-handed pitching. If Nola were to bust out of this slump against anyone, the Rockies would be at the top of the list.
Another solid pitcher in a pristine matchup is Tyler Mahle (8,700 DK, 8,800 OB). Just about any pitcher against the Nationals is worth considering, though. Washington has the worst wRC+ (58) when facing righties and Mahle hasn’t had a matchup like this since opening day. He’s coming off two rough starts versus the Yankees and Astros, so he must be licking his chops to face Washington. For what it’s worth their roster has just a .270 xwOBA and a 30% K rate in 40 plate appearances against him.
There are plenty of other high-priced options, but they all have tough matchups. If you’re looking for a value option further down the board, Tyler Wells (6,200 DK, 7,500 OB) is your guy. Only because of the Tigers though.
Bats
Yusei Kikuchi hasn’t been the pitcher we all saw from Spring Training, and there are a couple of Yankee hitters who have found success against him in the past. D.J. Lemahieu ($4,300 DK and OB) is 7-19 with three walks and three doubles, Aaron Judge ($5,800 DK, $6,200 OB) has a .508 xwOBA with two dingers across 15 ABs, and Gleyber Torres ($4,700 DK and OB) is 8-18 with a .515 xwOBA against Kikuchi.
Domingo Germán is coming off a stellar and controversial start against the Twins, but the Blue Jays have seen him well. They have a .360 xwOBA in 67 plate appearances against him, and it’s not like German has ever been consistent. Matt Chapman ($5,100 DK, $4,900 OB) has been on an absolute tear to start the year with a 240 wRC+, and Bo Bichette ($5,800 DK, $5,700 OB) is 3-8 with two homers and a double against German in his career.
The Angels also look like a solid offense to stack with. Kansas City will be rolling with opener, Taylor Clarke, before turning to Ryan Yarbrough. Neither pitcher has looked sharp whatsoever this year. Yarbrough is in the bottom 14% xwOBA/xERA, while Clarke is in the bottom 39%. Hunter Renfroe ($5,400 DK and OB) has been seeing the ball very well so far this year with a 144 wRC+ to date, and a couple of Angel infielders look undervalued as well.
Gio Urshela ($4,000 DK, $4,100 OB), Anthony Rendon ($4,100 DK, $4,500 OB), and Brandon Drury ($3,700 DK, $4,600 OB) all look like decent options to fill out a roster with.
Design by J.R. Caines (@JRCainesDesign on Twitter and @caines_design on Instagram)