This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
We have a loaded 14-game evening slate in MLB on Friday, leaving us with a ton of options to wade through on DraftKings. Let's try to make the task of filling out your entries a little easier by highlighting some players who have favorable matchups.
Pitchers
Jacob deGrom ($10,900) is insane. He's allowed one earned run through 20 innings this season, recording 35 strikeouts in the process. Oh yeah, and he's only issued three walks. Whenever he's on the slate, he's one of the top, if not the top, pitchers, regardless of his salary. He could mow down the Nationals, who are in the unenviable task of facing him without Juan Soto (shoulder), who is currently on the IL.
Tyler Glasnow ($10,100), has been right up there with deGrom, allowing two runs through 24.2 innings. He's sporting a 40.0 percent strikeout rate, which isn't as crazy as you might think given that he had a 38.2 percent strikeout last season. He's also done this with two of his four starts coming against the Red Sox and the Yankees. Look for him to keep things rolling at home against another AL East foe in the Blue Jays.
Working our way down the salary scale, Logan Allen ($8,100) might be worth considering in tournament play for his start against the Yankees. He was roughed up in his last start against the Reds, giving up five runs (four earned) across two innings. He didn't issue a walk and only allowed three hits, though, so his defense didn't do him any favors. The Yankees star-studded lineup had been awful with a .630 OPS before their six-run outburst Wednesday, so they might not be all that difficult to navigate right now.
Top Targets
Cole Irvin ($6,200) took advantage of a favorable matchup against the Tigers, pitching six shutout innings against them in his last start, which also came at the A's pitcher-friendly home park. He could be looking at a tougher task against the Orioles in Baltimore, which certainly favors hitters. Add in Irvin's career 1.44 WHIP, and Trey Mancini ($5,400) could be in line for a big night.
Bryce Harper ($5,700) is playing at Coors Field. It doesn't get much better than that. The Phillies' star outfielder has feasted there throughout his career, posting a 1.096 OPS across 24 games. Expect him to be a tough out for German Marquez ($6,100), who doesn't miss a ton of bats given his career 23.8 percent strikeout rate.
Bargain Bats
The Pirates received some tough news when Ke'Bryan Hayes (wrist) aggravated his injury Wednesday. His continued absence should mean more playing time for Phillip Evans ($3,500), who has filled in nicely with an .857 OPS. He could be worth considering against left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ ($6,300), who hasn't made it out of the fifth inning in either of his first two starts.
It's difficult to pass up on Alec Bohm ($3,500) at such a cheap salary for his matchup against Marquez at Coors Field. Despite being off to a slow start with his .270 wOBA, good things could be right around the corner for Bohm if he can even come close to maintaining his 51.1 percent hard-hit rate. That might not be such an absurd number for him to hit, either, given his 46.8 percent hard-hit rate last season.
Stacks to Consider
Rockies vs. Vince Velasquez ($5,900), Phillies: Trevor Story ($5,100), Charlie Blackmon ($4,500), Ryan McMahon ($5,200)
The Rockies may have a depleted lineup compared to seasons past, but they are still a great team to stack with them playing at Coors Field. What makes them even more appealing is their matchup with Velasquez, who will be making a spot start in place of Matt Moore (COVID-19). Velasquez has a 1.39 WHIP for his career and might not last deep into this contest considering he hasn't pitched more than 2.1 innings in any of his three outings. That could also leave the Rockies to feast on the underbelly of the Phillies' bullpen.
Mets vs. Erick Fedde ($7,000), Nationals: Pete Alonso ($5,200), Francisco Lindor ($4,900), Michael Conforto ($3,600)
How can you not like the prospects of stacking against a pitcher who has a career 1.52 WHIP? On top of that ugly number, Fedde has allowed 1.5 HR/9 for his career, which is a troublesome combination. Maybe this is the matchup that Conforto, who entered Thursday with a .267 wOBA, needs to break out of his slump.
Athletics vs. Jorge Lopez ($6,000), Orioles: Matt Olson ($5,000), Ramon Laureano ($5,000), Mark Canha ($4,300)
The fact that Lopez is starting for the Orioles says more about the sorry state of their rotation than it does about how well he has pitched. He's off to a terrible start with a 6.67 FIP and 1.32 WHIP, which isn't exactly out of the ordinary for him, give his career 5.21 FIP and 1.49 WHIP. He's also allowed 1.7 HR/9 for his career, which could end up being his downfall against Olson. Coming off of a disappointing performance in 2020, Olson has six home runs and a .368 ISO.
