This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
After a limited slate Thursday, baseball is back at it Friday with a packed schedule. The evening will be highlighted by a matchup between the Dodgers and the Giants, two teams fighting it out for the lead in the NL West. As the battle for an AL Wild Card spot continues to heat up, two teams vying for one will face off when the Blue Jays host the A's. One of the top pitching matchups will feature Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals traveling to Milwaukee to face the Brewers and Freddy Peralta. Let's get down to business and highlight some players to consider for your DraftKings lineups.
Pitchers
After completing a bullpen session Wednesday without any issues, Shohei Ohtani ($8,700) is expected to return to the mound Friday. Despite a poor showing in his last outing against the Orioles, he's allowed two or fewer runs in 10 of his last 12 starts. During that stretch, he's racked up 77 strikeouts over 68.2 innings. He will be difficult to resist in DFS for a matchup against the Rangers, who have the second-worst OPS in baseball.
Another team struggling at the plate is the Marlins, who have the third-worst OPS. It doesn't help their cause that they have a pitcher-friendly home park, which is where they will take on the Phillies. That means Kyle Gibson ($8,100) could be a viable target in DFS. He's continued to pitch well since being traded to the Phillies, allowing three runs or fewer in five of his six starts with the team.
Cal Quantrill ($7,200) has stepped up to become a key member of Cleveland's rotation. He's allowed two or fewer runs in eight of his last nine starts, which included tough matchups against the Rays, White Sox and Red Sox. Although he only has a 19.5 percent strikeout rate for the season, he did record 52 strikeouts across 55 innings during that stretch. A rematch against a Red Sox team that's missing Xander Bogaerts (COVID-19) and Enrique Hernandez (COVID-19) could help Quantrill continue his hot streak.
Top Targets
Will this finally be the first season that Nick Castellanos ($5,100) hits 30 home runs? He's knocking on the doorstep with 26 long balls so far, which has been part of a stellar campaign that has seen him record a 149 wRC+. Another big night at the plate could be in store for him in a matchup against Detroit's Tyler Alexander ($5,200), who has a 4.59 FIP and has allowed 1.6 HR/9.
One of the main reasons why the Yankees have taken over the lead for the AL Wild Card has been the improved performance of their lineup. At the center of that surge has been Giancarlo Stanton ($5,000), who is 32-for-94 (.340) with nine home runs over his last 26 games. His power prowess makes him an appealing option for a matchup against John Means ($6,600), who has allowed 1.7 HR/9 for his career.
Bargain Bats
After making a good impression with the Angels during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, Jared Walsh ($3,900) has carried over his success and proven to be one of their best hitters this season. He brings plenty of power to the plate, slugging 25 home runs on his way to a .237 ISO. There's a chance he could provide value against Glenn Otto ($5,000), who only pitched a total of 30.1 career innings at Triple-A before making his debut with the Rangers last week.
There is some question as to who will be starting for the Marlins on Friday. It's expected to be either Trevor Rogers ($9,200) or Jesus Luzardo ($7,800), both of whom are left-handed pitchers. That means, regardless of which one of them starts, it might be a good opportunity to roll with Andrew McCutchen ($3,600), who has a 184 wRC+ versus southpaws.
Stacks to Consider
Rays vs. Randy Dobnak ($6,200), Twins: Nelson Cruz ($5,500), Brandon Lowe ($5,400), Austin Meadows ($4,600)
There hasn't been much to like about Dobnak's performance this season. He has a 7.83 ERA and a 6.18 FIP while allowing 2.3 HR/9. His WHIP checks in at 1.65 and he only has a 12.5 percent strikeout rate. This is not a good matchup for him to try and turn things around given the Rays have scored the most runs in baseball. If he's in the lineup, Wander Franco ($5,300) would also be an appealing option. However, he might not play considering he left Thursday's contest with a headache.
Braves vs. Antonio Senzatela ($6,400), Rockies: Freddie Freeman ($5,700), Austin Riley ($5,400), Adam Duvall ($4,400)
The Braves have the eighth-highest OPS in baseball, so a series at Coors Field brings the prospect for some gaudy offensive production. They scored six runs in Thursday's victory, which included Duvall's 30th home run of the season. No longer having to play his home games at the Marlins' pitcher-friendly park, Duvall has three home runs across his last seven games. The Braves could be set up for another big night against Senzatela, who has a career 1.41 WHIP.
Astros vs. Jake Arrieta ($7,000), Padres: Yordan Alvarez ($6,000), Kyle Tucker ($4,100), Jake Meyers ($2,600)
This is an appealing stack that won't destroy your budget and still has plenty of upside. Arrieta is only making starts for the Padres because their starting rotation has been hit by injuries. It certainly hasn't been based on merit given his 6.14 FIP and 1.78 WHP. Don't sleep on Meyers, who is 23-for-70 (.329) with three home runs and four doubles over his last 18 games.
