We are going to provide a double dip of MLB content on Wednesday with a split slate of seven games each on the DraftKings early and main slates. As such my On the Hill article will be abbreviated with limited write-ups for my recommendations. This early slate article will also be free, so enjoy!
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Let’s mow down the competition 3 Up and 3 Down…
3 Up
Ace
Corey Kluber (FD-$12,100 / DK-$12,600)
Kluber is in a great spot on Wednesday facing a White Sox team that has the highest strikeout rate (27.6%) against righties over the last 30 days. Kluber has also mowed down the current collection of White Sox hitters over his career with a massive 35.8% strikeout rate in 151 plate appearances. He is a huge Vegas favorite and the obvious top pitching option on the slate for Cash games. One little concern is that his velocity was down in his last start which also happened to be his worst start of the season allowing four runs and only striking out three in five innings. It might be worth fading Kluber in GPPs just in case that trend continues.
Value
Jon Lester (FD-$9,000 / DK-$8,600)
I like both of the pitchers in the Dodgers/Cubs matchup on Wednesday afternoon as Lester and Ross Stripling could get into a pitcher duel. I’ll give the slight edge to Lester since he is pitching at home as a small favorite and is the cheaper option of the two. Lester has a 1.49 ERA and .247 wOBA allowed in six home starts this season.
Darkhorse
Frankie Montas (FD-$8,200 / DK-$6,700)
Montas may be pitching over his head right now with a 2.67 ERA through his first four starts. That said, the matchup against the Padres while pitching in San Diego is about as good as it gets so he may be able to keep it going for another start. The Padres have the 3rd highest strikeout rate (25.7%) against righties over the last 30 days while ranking in the bottom seven in wOBA, ISO and wRC+ against righties during that span. I probably wouldn’t use him Cash games but he is an intriguing GPP option if you want to be able to pay up for an extra bat or two.
3 Down
Top Stacks
Blue Jays vs. Anibal Sanchez
Sanchez has actually pitched well this season and I even recommended him in his last start but with a 4.04 xFIP compared to his 1.93 ERA, there is likely some regression coming his way. He’ll face a team (Blue Jays) that is familiar with him and has had some success against him in the past. Hello, regression!
Randal Grichuk (FD-$2,800 / DK-$3,600)
Teoscar Hernandez (FD-$3,800 / DK-$4,500)
Curtis Granderson (FD-$3,100 / DK-$3,800)
Justin Smoak (FD-$2,900 / DK-$3,400)
Tigers vs. Tyler Mahle
I know my Tigers stack didn’t quite pan out as I expected last night but I’m going to go right back to them again on Wednesday against Mahle. Mahle has been worst at home this season and has struggled against left-handed hitters allowing a .391 wOBA and 2.27 HR/9.
Leonys Martin (FD-$3,400 / DK-$4,700)
Niko Goodrum (FD-$2,800 / DK-$3,700)
Jeimer Candelario (FD-$3,200 / DK-$4,300)
Nick Castellanos (FD-$3,200 / DK-$4,400)
Contrarian Stack
White Sox vs. Corey Kluber
As I stated in my Kluber write-up, his velocity was down in his previous start which does have me moderately concern. While I’ll still likely roster him in Cash games, I will also through in a hedge stack against him in a GPP just in case he is not right. If you don’t want to use a full White Sox stack then at least consider a one-off play of Jose Abreu who has a .340 average with five homers off Kluber in 47 career at-bats.
Yoan Moncada (FD-$3,000 / DK-$3,500)
Matt Davidson (FD-$3,200 / DK-$3,800)
Jose Abreu (FD-$3,400 / DK-$3,800)
Daniel Palka (FD-$2,500 / DK-$3,600)
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