With a big 15-game MLB slate on Friday night, there are a bunch of hitting stacks that interest me. While I have limited my “recommendations” in the article down to my top three, some others to consider include the Rangers, Astros, Pirates and Dodgers. With a list that strong of stacks that didn’t make my final list you must be wondering who did, so be sure to sign up for our Premium Content so you don’t miss out on any of the content we have here at DailyOverlay. Pitching was a little more difficult to find options that are worth rostering but I believe I have a solid trio to consider in both Cash games and GPPs.
Let’s mow down the competition 3 Up and 3 Down…
3 Up
Ace
James Paxton (FD-$10,000 / DK-$10,700)
Corey Kluber is the highest priced option on the slate but I’d rather get a discount with James Paxton who actually shows up with the highest rating in my model even though he is facing the Red Sox. The Red Sox have been pretty bad against lefties over the last 30 days with the 3rd highest strikeout rate (26.1%) giving Paxton a solid floor even if he allows a few runs. I’ll consider Paxton is a GPP option on all sites and a Cash game option on two-pitcher sites but I actually prefer the next guy for Cash games on one-pitcher sites.
Value
Ross Stripling (FD-$9,100 / DK-$9,800)
Stripling has been dealing for the Dodgers this season allowing two runs or fewer in seven straight starts with at least six strikeouts in six straight outings. He is a big Vegas favorite on Friday pitching at home against the Giants who have the fifth highest strikeout rate (24.7%) against righties over the last 30 days. Stripling is a Cash game lock for me on all sites and a solid GPP option as well.
Darkhorse
Seth Lugo (FD-$6,400 / DK-$7,100)
Lugo seems to have figured something out this season with a 1.77 ERA and 27.0% strikeout rate. Granted most of his work this season has been out of the bullpen he did toss a six-inning gem against the Yankees in his previous outing allowing no runs on just two hits with eight strikeouts. His pitch mix this season could be the difference (read) but whatever the change look for him to have a solid outing in Arizona against the Diamondbacks who have the 6th highest strikeout rate and a bottom eight wOBA (.294) and wRC+ (82) against righties over the last 30 days. I’m tempted to use him in Cash games on two-pitcher sites along with Stripling to free up some money for bats but will be a primary option for me in GPPs.
3 Down
Top Stacks
Rockies vs. Yohander Mendez
You would think the Rockies were playing at home with a 10.5 Vegas run total but instead, they are in the heat of Texas facing a young lefty making his first big league start. Left-hander Yohander has been hit hard by righties in his very brief career allowing a .388 wOBA and three homers in 46 plate appearances, so I’m going to roll with the Rockies righties.
Nolan Arenado (FD-$4,600 / DK-$4,900) – Home or on the road Arenado crushes lefties including a .502 wOBA and .282 ISO on the road this year.
Trevor Story (FD-$4,300 / DK-$4,900) – Story has been on fire at the plate with five multi-hit games in his last six starts including four doubles and three home runs.
DJ LeMahieu (FD-$3,700 / DK-$4,600) – LeMahieu has a massive .450 wOBA against lefties this season a number that is even higher on the road this season (.655).
Ian Desmond (FD-$3,400 / DK-$3,900) – In his lone season in Texas in 2016, Desmond had a .451 wOBA and .242 against lefties in Arlington.
Nationals vs. Aaron Sanchez
In general, I like Aaron Sanchez as a pitcher but not when he is facing a left-handed heavy lineup like he will with the Nationals on Friday. Sanchez has allowed a .406 wOBA to lefties this season and 1.41 HR/9 to lefties when pitching at home during his career. Feel free to add Daniel Murphy if you want a fifth lefty bat in your stack on DK.
Bryce Harper (FD-$4,400 / DK-$5,200) – Harper has a .377 wOBA and .315 ISO against righties this season.
Matt Adams (FD-$3,400 / DK-$3,900) – Adams has posted a .415 wOBA and .333 ISO against righties this year.
Adam Eaton (FD-$3,700 / DK-$4,400) – Eaton has five hits over his last three games and a career .352 wOBA against righties.
Juan Soto (FD-$3,800 / DK-$4,400) – The young phenom slugged a pair of homers in his last game and has a .448 wOBA on the road against righties this season.
Contrarian Stack
White Sox vs. Mike Fiers
Fiers has pitched well in his last three starts, all at home. However, he gave up four runs to the White Sox in 5+ innings in the middle of May and has been worse on the road this season especially against lefties who have a .374 wOBA and 3.38 HR/9 off him. There is a lot of stacks that people will choose before the White Sox, like those in my list above, but the White Sox may have the most upside when you combine Fiers with a Tigers bullpen that has the 7th highest ERA this season.
Yoan Moncada (FD-$3,200 / DK-$3,700) – Moncada has a .359 ISO and .241 ISO against righties at home this season.
Jose Abreu (FD-$3,300 / DK-$4,000) – Abreu has a .363 wOBA and .224 ISO at home versus right-handed pitching this season.
Yolmer Sanchez (FD-$2,700 / DK-$3,600) – Keeping the trend going, Sanchez has a .355 wOBA and .186 ISO at home against righties.
Daniel Palka (FD-$2,700 / DK-$3,600) – Palka continues to hit the ball hard with a 41.6% hard-hit rate against righties.
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