This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
We've reached the final three days of the regular season. Both AL Wild Card spots are still in play, as well as the NL West title. As exciting as those races are, with so many other teams being eliminated, starting rotations have been altered. Also, we're starting to see some different lineups with teams resting some of their starters more frequently. With that in mind, you'll need to keep an eye out for news closely for DFS purposes. As we dig into the matchups, here are some players to target on DraftKings.
Pitchers
The Phillies have to be excited about what a full season of Ranger Suarez ($8,800) might provide for their starting rotation. Across his last nine games as a starter, he has a 1.87 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Most impressive of all, he allowed one home run over 53 innings during that stretch. He could dominate a Marlins team that has the third-worst OPS in baseball.
The Mariners will continue their push for a Wild Card spot in a series at home against the Angels. Them being at home is noteworthy with Marco Gonzales ($8,400) set to start the first game. He hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his las six starts at home. He's also had success against the Angels this season, regardless of where he has faced them. Over two starts, he has allowed five runs in 12.2 innings.
While his numbers don't jump off the page, Jon Gray ($7,700) has had a respectable season with a 4.28 ERA and a 4.07 FIP. He's only allowed 1.1 HR/9, which is impressive for a pitcher who has to play his home games at Coors Field. He has a 3.58 FIP and has allowed 0.8 HR/9 on the road this season, so he could close things out on a high note against Diamondbacks in Arizona.
Top Targets
Mitch Haniger ($5,300) is trying to power the Mariners into the playoffs. Over their last 10 games, he is 10-for-38 (.263) with four home runs and three doubles. Add in his 143 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers this season and he could be an ideal option for a matchup against Jose Suarez ($6,200).
One of the unsung heroes for the Red Sox this season has been Hunter Renfroe ($5,000), who has slugged 30 home runs. While right-handed pitchers have held him to a .336 wOBA, he has a .371 wOBA against southpaws. The Red Sox will face another lefty in Josh Rogers ($7,400), who has a 5.39 FIP and has allowed five home runs over his 29.2 innings in the majors.
Bargain Bats
Another player on the Red Sox who has hit lefties well is Bobby Dalbec ($3,700). He's used a second-half surge to boost his wOBA to .333, but he has a .361 wOBA against lefties. Given his reasonable salary, he's difficult to resist at first base.
Austin Hays ($3,600) has some pretty extreme splits this season. He only has a .182 ISO and a .294 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, but he has a .249 ISO and a .377 wOBA against lefties. That makes him someone to at least consider for a matchup against Steven Matz ($8,700), who has a 1.35 WHIP across 28 starts.
Stacks to Consider
Indians vs. Spencer Howard ($5,100), Rangers: Jose Ramirez ($5,900), Franmil Reyes ($5,100), Amed Rosario ($4,400)
The good news is that Howard logged four innings in his last start, which is the most that he has pitched in a game since joining the Rangers. The bad news is that he allowed four runs to the Orioles. It's been a disastrous season for Howard, who has a 1.57 WHIP to go along with his 7.04 ERA. If there is a silver lining, it's that his FIP is 4.16. Still, this could be a great opportunity to deploy a Cleveland stack with Ramirez leading the way. He's had a monster fantasy season, recording a 138 wRC+ to go along with his 36 home runs, 109 runs scored, 100 RBI and 26 steals.
Blue Jays vs. TBD, Orioles: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($6,100), Marcus Semien ($5,400), Teoscar Hernandez ($4,800)
This should be another bullpen game for the Orioles, which is ominous for them given that their bullpen has the worst ERA in the majors. The Blue Jays are still in the hunt for a Wild Card spot, so they should deploy their regulars as normal. Although he doesn't garner a ton of headlines, Hernandez has been excellent with his 31 home runs and .368 wOBA.
Cubs vs. Dakota Hudson ($6,800), Cardinals: Frank Schwindel ($3,200), Rafael Ortega ($2,900), Matt Duffy ($2,100)
Hudson made his season debut against these same Cubs last week, allowing two runs over 3.2 innings in relief. That was his first outing since recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he'll finish out his campaign with a start this time around. Despite dismantling their roster at the trade deadline, the Cubs still have some dangerous hitters in lineup. That includes the veteran Duffy, who is 20-for-56 (.357) with two home runs and six doubles over his last 14 games.
