This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Friday brings a packed schedule across baseball, leaving 14 games for the main evening slate on DraftKings. Let's get right down to business and highlight some of the top players to consider among the myriad of options.
Pitchers
Lance Lynn ($9,700) has really only had one bad outing all season, which came at the hands of one of the best lineups in the league in the Astros. He didn't allow more than three runs in any of his other 13 starts, leaving him with a 2.06 ERA and a 3.11 FIP. His strikeout rate has even jumped up to 28.5 percent. Look for him to keep rolling in a favorable matchup versus the Tigers, whom he limited to one run over six innings earlier this season. Look for Lance Lynn to keep rolling in a favorable matchup vs. the Tigers.
Alex Wood ($8,500) is coming off of a strong start against the A's in which he allowed two runs (one earned) and recorded eight strikeouts over 5.1 innings. While he's cooled off after a hot start to the season, he does have 19 strikeouts across 14.1 innings in his last three starts, leaving him with a 24.7 percent strikeout rate for the year. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him provide value against the Diamondbacks, who have the fourth-worst OPS in baseball. The last time he faced them, Wood allowed two runs and recorded seven strikeouts across six innings.
The A's have a pitcher-friendly home park, which has contributed to them posting a .701 OPS there. On the road, their mark is .748. This could be a good matchup to take a chance on Eduardo Rodriguez ($7,400), especially given his cheaper salary. His 3.58 FIP indicates he hasn't pitched nearly as bad as his 5.83 ERA would lead you to believe, and he's missed plenty of bats with his 27.4 percent strikeout rate.
Top Targets
The Cardinals couldn't take advantage of playing at Coors Field on Thursday, scoring just two runs in a loss. However, Paul Goldschmidt ($4,800) didn't disappoint with two hits and a home run. He now has three multi-hit performances over his last six games and could thrive against Chi Chi Gonzalez ($4,900), who has a 5.17 FIP and a 1.45 WHIP.
Jesse Winker ($5,100) is in the midst of a breakout campaign with his 165 wRC+. He's cut down his strikeout rate to 16.9 percent, compared to 25.1 percent last season. It hasn't come at the expense of his power numbers, either, given his .265 ISO. Look for him to continue to thrive against Alec Mills ($6,200), who certainly isn't an overpowering force given his 15.6 percent strikeout rate.
Bargain Bats
Adam Duvall ($3,800) has some wild splits during his first season with the Marlins. He has just a .203 ISO and a .261 wOBA at home, but he has a .311 ISO and a .376 wOBA on the road. That's where he'll be for his matchup against the Braves, a team for which he had an ISO of at least .295 in both of the last two seasons. Also working in his favor is that the Braves will be starting Drew Smyly ($6,700), who has allowed 2.0 HR/9.
With how poorly Smyly has pitched, Duvall isn't the only member of the Marlins to consider. Jesus Aguilar ($3,600) could also provide value. For his career, he has a .196 ISO and a .349 wOBA against left-handed pitchers.
Stacks to Consider
Rockies vs. Johan Oviedo ($5,400), Cardinals: Ryan McMahon ($5,000), Charlie Blackmon ($5,500), Raimel Tapia ($4,400)
Oviedo couldn't take advantage of facing bad lineups in the Tigers and Pirates in his last two starts, allowing 11 runs (seven earned) across 7.2 innings. He has a bloated 1.58 WHIP for the season and hasn't missed many bats with just 35 strikeouts over 43 innings. This could end up being a disaster for him having to pitch at Coors Field. McMahon has emerged as one of the more productive hitters on the Rockies, including posting what would be a career-high .232 ISO.
Astros vs. Sam Hentges ($5,800), Indians: Jose Altuve ($5,800), Carlos Correa ($5,200), Myles Straw ($3,000)
It's been a disastrous first season in the majors for Hentges, who has a 7.32 ERA across 13 appearances, six of which were starts. While his FIP is better than his ERA, it's still bad at 5.26. Also, his 1.99 WHIP isn't doing him any favors. Him starting could lead to another scoring outburst for the Astros, who lead baseball in runs scored. Correa has been one of their most consistent contributors, posting a 154 wRC+.
Royals vs. J.A. Happ ($6,800), Twins: Whit Merrifield ($5,500), Salvador Perez ($5,100), Carlos Santana ($4,300)
Happ has already faced the Royals twice this season, allowing seven total runs across 10 innings. They aren't the only team that has given him troubles considering his 5.83 ERA and 5.27 FIP. His WHIP has jumped up to 1.45 and his strikeout rate has plummeted to 17.6 percent, which would be his lowest mark since 2009. While the Royals don't have the deepest of lineups, this trio has been productive. With his .230 ISO and .344 wOBA, Perez has remained one of the most productive catchers at the plate in the league.
