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.
Labor Day makes for an exciting day of baseball, with all 30 teams in action and games being played all day. FantasyDraft has two slates: an early and a late, starting at 1:05 pm eastern and 7:07 pm, respectively. I’ll be covering the 1:05 pm slate exclusively.
1:05 PM – 8 Games
Must Play SP: Dallas Keuchel, HOU ($15,100) vs MIN
While Keuchel doesn’t possess much strikeout upside, he’s still a great option for some strong innings against Minnesota. The Twins have struggled against left-handed pitching this season, with just a .299 wOBA. Keuchel’s metrics are confident in the quality of pitcher he is, as he has a 3.58 ERA with a 3.59 Deserved Run Average and a 3.65 FIP. Keuchel has one of the highest floors of any pitcher on the early slate and he’s very affordable, making him an ideal target in cash games.
Honorable Mention: Max Scherzer, WAS ($24,00) vs STL
Value SP: Vince Velasquez, PHI ($14,400) at MIA
As for a pitcher with strikeout potential, Velasquez and his 26.2% K-rate has a great matchup in Miami. The Marlins are the third-worst lineup against righties according to their .294 wOBA and play in an exceptional pitching environment at home. Velasquez is also coming off of a full seven days of rest, so hopefully he’s able to go deep into his outing.
Honorable Mention: Michael Fulmer, DET ($13,500) at CWS
IF Joey Votto, CIN ($8,000) at PIT (RHP Trevor Williams)
Even considering the slump he’s been in, a price tag of $8,000 for Votto is an absolute bargain. This is the time to buy low, as Votto still has an elite 148 wRC+ against right-handed pitching this year. Trevor Williams should have some regression on the way, as his 16.7% K-rate and 4.89 SIERA suggest that he hasn’t been dominant. Votto can produce well against him batting third in the Reds order.
Honorable Mention: IF Mitch Moreland, BOS ($8,300) at ATL (Toussaint)
OF Bryce Harper, WAS ($8,300) vs STL (RHP Jack Flaherty)
Now here’s an elite bat you can get for cheap! It’s insane that Harper’s price would dip this low in a season with 30 homers, 85 runs, and 84 RBI. Even with a pretty tough matchup in Flaherty, Harper should be trusted to perform well. He’s surrounded by good hitters in Washington’s three spot and is an exceptional play in GPP contests.
Honorable Mention: IF/OF Nicholas Castellanos, DET ($8,400) at CWS (Lopez)
Value: OF Corey Dickerson, PIT ($7,200) vs CIN (RHP Matt Harvey)
Dickerson is another guy to grab at what is possibly his bottom price. He’s very cold right now, but Dickerson has a nice matchup facing Matt Harvey, who has a 4.97 ERA and a 1.49 HR/9. Assuming the rest of Pirates lineup is able to take advantage, Dickerson will have plenty of RBI opportunities batting fifth. At this price, there’s lots of profit to be made.
Honorable Mention: OF Nick Williams, PHI ($7,600) at MIA (Urena)
Top Stack: Astros vs Twins (RHP Kyle Gibson)
I’m going back to the Astros bats on Monday, as they’ve got so many affordable options to choose from. Gibson has struggled lately and now has a SIERA of 4.25. Jose Altuve ($8,600), George Springer ($7,700), and Carlos Correa ($8,500) are all just too cheap for the kind of numbers they can put up.
Honorable Mention: Cubs at Brewers (Davies)