Pitcher List is excited to be partnering with FantasyDraft, featuring advice articles every morning through the entirety of the 2018 season. Signup and play for free at FantasyDraft.
Tonight’s FantasyDraft slate starts at 7:05pm and covers 10 games. The early Astros-Tigers and Dodgers-Reds games are not included.
Must Play SP: Corey Kluber, CLE ($21,100) at TB
Kluber is coming off of back-to-back dominant starts, and now has a 2.75 ERA with a 2.71 Deserved Run Average on the year. It’s clear that Kluber is still an ace, so it’s surprising that his price isn’t higher, as Jacob deGrom is over $5,000 more expensive. Kluber is in line for another strong start in Tampa Bay, a pitcher-friendly environment.
Honorable Mention: Jacob deGrom, NYM ($26,400) vs MIA
Value SP: Jakob Junis, KC ($16,000) vs CWS
Junis is on an incredible run right now – in the last month, he’s got 31 strikeouts in 33 innings with a 1.91 ERA. He gets an easy matchup in the White Sox, who have just a .308 wOBA versus right-handed pitching, as well as the second-highest K-rate at 25.5%. Junis should be much more expensive with the way he’s pitched, especially after dismantling a tough Indians lineup last time out, making him an outstanding value.
Honorable Mention: Sean Newcomb, ATL ($14,400) at SF
IF/OF Kris Bryant, CHC ($8,300) vs MIL (LHP Wade Miley)
Even if he hasn’t lived up to expectations this year, Bryant has still done one thing exceptionally well: crush left-handed pitching. Bryant has an insane 197 wRC+ against southpaws. While Wade Miley has a low ERA, he hasn’t actually pitched that well at all, as he has just just a 16.7% K-rate with a 4.60 SIERA. Expect Bryant and the Cubs to tee off.
Honorable Mention: IF Gary Sanchez, NYY ($7,500) at MIN (Gibson)
OF Andrew McCutchen, NYY ($8,300) at MIN (RHP Kyle Gibson)
I love McCutchen as the leadoff hitter for the Yankees – it’s hard to find a more valuable spot for a DFS play. Cutch will maximize his plate appearances, giving him the highest number of opportunities to produce, and he can easily score some runs with a high-powered lineup behind him. McCutchen also provides you with a nice power/speed combo that can score you points in various ways.
Honorable Mention: IF/OF Rhys Hoskins, PHI ($8,100) vs WAS (Fedde)
Value: OF Ryan Braun, MIN ($7,200) at CHC (LHP Jon Lester)
Braun is another hitter whose LHP platoon splits we can take advantage of. Braun has a 129 wRC+ versus lefties with as many walks as strikeouts. He’ll be batting cleanup for the Brewers, an awesome spot for RBIs against Lester. Lester has a 4.63 FIP with a low 19.0% K-rate, making him a guy you want to target.
Honorable Mention: OF Ender Inciarte, ATL ($7,300) at SF (Rodriguez)
Top Stack: Braves at Giants (RHP Dereck Rodriguez)
This is a bit of a contrarian stack, as many players will be trying to avoid Rodriguez and his stellar 2.41 ERA. However, Rodriguez hasn’t been dominating batters with his 19.9% K-rate, and his 4.53 DRA and 4.28 SIERA are a more accurate representation of his skill level. Ronald Acuna Jr. ($9,000) and Freddie Freeman ($8,200) are at amazing prices, and I like Nick Markakis ($8,000) and Ozzie Albies ($8,500) as well.
Honorable Mention: Yankees at Twins (Gibson)