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Top SP: Justin Verlander, HOU ($11,000) at DET
If you’re someone who likes to invest in expensive pitching, Justin Verlander is the play for you. Verlander is coming off yet another dominant start against the Rangers, where he went seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and only one hit allowed. He now faces a much weaker Tigers lineup that has just a .283 wOBA against right-handed pitching, third-worst in the league. Verlander’s 2.92 deserved run average further proves he is an elite option, as if you needed any more evidence.
Honorable Mentions: Kenta Maaeda ($9,200) vs. SD; Patrick Corbin ($10,000) vs. NYM.
Value SP: Eduardo Rodriguez, BOS ($8,200) vs. COL
Eduardo Rodriguez has been outstanding over the past month, striking out 31 batters in 29 innings with a 2.79 ERA. The Rockies are awful when they’re away from Coors Field, with a .278 wOBA and a 27.8% strikeout rate. Fellow Red Sox southpaw Chris Sale just had a savage outing with 17 strikeouts last night, displaying Colorado’s susceptibility to left-handed pitching. I like Rodriguez in GPP contests at this price.
Honorable Mentions: Sonny Gray ($6,900) vs. CHC; Mike Soroka ($8,800) vs. STL.
2B/SS Gleyber Torres, NYY ($4,400) vs. BAL (RHP David Hess)
Gleyber Torres has handled right-handed pitching well this year with a 118 wRC+. The Yankees lineup should fare well against a weak opponent in David Hess, who has an abysmal 5.50 ERA and a 2.62 HR/9. That means Torres will get plenty of RBI opportunities batting fifth, as well as great production of his own.
Honorable Mentions: 1B C.J. Cron ($4,400) vs. LAA (RHP Trevor Cahill); 1B/3B Yuli Gurriel ($4,000) at DET (LHP Gregory Soto).
OF Lorenzo Cain, MIL ($4,300) at PHI (RHP Jake Arrieta)
Lorenzo Cain is an outfielder to consider in cash games for his high floor. He’s batting leadoff against Jake Arrieta, owner of a 4.77 FIP, which puts Cain in a good spot to score runs. Cain and the Brewers are in a fantastic hitter’s environment in Philadelphia, the park where Cain went 5-for-6 just two days ago.
Honorable Mentions: OF Ronald Acuna ($4,600) vs. STL (RHP Michael Wacha); OF Nelson Cruz ($4,500) vs. LAA (RHP Trevor Cahill).
Value Bat: OF Andrew McCutchen, PHI ($4,000) vs. MIL (LHP Gio Gonzalez)
Another leadoff option to target is a cheaper option in Andrew McCutchen. He’s still getting on base at a .363 clip this year and has been significantly better against left-handing pitching with a 140 wRC+. Brewers starter Gio Gonzalez is making just his fourth start of the year and could get exposed here by the Phillies.
Honorable Mentions: OF Shohei Ohtani ($4,300) at MIN (RHP Jake Odorizzi); 3B Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. ($3,700) at SF (RHP Shaun Anderson).
Lineup Stack: Red Sox vs Rockies (RHP German Marquez)
While the Red Sox don’t have an easy matchup against German Marquez, I see this as an opportunity to get a discount on Red Sox batters at home. I’d love to have an elite guy like J.D. Martinez ($4,800) or Mookie Betts ($5,000) to anchor the stack with more affordable options in Andrew Benintendi ($4,400) and Rafael Devers ($4,500) to pair. They can still do damage in Fenway against Marquez.
Honorable Mentions: Angels at Twins (RHP Jake Odorizzi); Twins vs. LAA (RHP Trevor Cahill).
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.
Graphic by Justin Paradis (@FreshMeatComm on Twitter).