This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Monday's five-game main slate makes it a bit tough to find value pitching, but we can identify a few traits to make some low-cost options look a bit more appealing. On the offensive side, we can focus on a stack in Arizona that may be a bit under the radar.
Pitching Overview
Patrick Corbin ($11,800) has had an issue with the free pass this season but has been downright electric since the All-Star break, logging a 2.76 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 78.1 innings. The Phillies are an offensive threat at Citizens Bank Park but turn into a bottom-10 team on the road according to wOBA.
There is no doubting the talent of Blake Snell ($10,300), but the left-hander is still being worked into game shape after returning from an injury he suffered in July. Snell isn't expected to throw more than three or four innings in his outing Monday against the Red Sox, which makes him nearly impossible to use at this price.
It's difficult to know what to do with Alex Young ($8,500) as a mid-range pitcher, as aside from a robust groundball rate (48 percent), the 26-year-old doesn't have another skill that separates him from the pack. The Cardinals are a bottom-10 offense against lefty pitching according to wOBA, however, which makes Young someone to take a look at on a small slate.
Steven Matz ($7,600) figures to be extremely popular in his matchup against the Marlins, who have logged the second-lowest wOBA (.289) to go along with the lowest ISO (.136) in the league against southpaws this year. Matz has dazzled at Citi Field in 2019, notching a 1.94 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 78.2 innings.
Those interested in differentiating themselves in GPPs could take a shot on Chandler Shepherd ($6,400) as he gets another start against the Blue Jays. Shepherd is far from a perfect prospect but has shown real strikeout ability throughout the minor leagues. Meanwhile, Toronto has struck out nearly 26 percent of the time against righty pitching.
Key Values
Pete Alonso ($4,900) should almost be considered a gift under $5,000 due to the .350 ISO he has tallied against southpaws in 140 at-bats. Caleb Smith has been effective at various points throughout the 2019 season but has had real trouble keeping the ball in the park against right-handed hitters (2.2 HR/9 rate).
Adam Wainwright features drastic home and road splits, as evidenced by the 6.03 ERA he has kept in 71.2 frames on the road. Eduardo Escobar ($4,600) holds an ISO above .250 against both sides of the platoon, making him an interesting target against Wainwright in a vulnerable spot.
We talked about Clay Buchholz's struggles on the road last week but it's not as though the 35-year-old has been fantastic at home, where he has logged a 4.79 ERA in 20.2 frames. Anthony Santander ($4,200) has emerged as a hitter to watch in the Baltimore lineup. The 24-year-old has kept an impressive .240 ISO in 267 at-bats since the All-Star break.
Ryan Zimmerman ($3,800) has missed large chunks of the season due to injury, but the former All-Star has put on a power display in September, tallying a .240 ISO in 40 at-bats. This makes him a low-cost bat to consider against Zach Eflin, who has allowed a .456 slugging percentage on the road this year.
Stacks
Diamondbacks against Adam Wainwright (Cardinals)
Eduardo Escobar (2B/3B -$4,600) Josh Rojas (OF - $3,500) Christian Walker (1B - $4,000)
Wainwright may not seem like a pitcher to stack against but his struggles on the road should play right into the hands of a powerful D-Backs lineup. The fact that Wainwright has had a decent season overall could potentially get us some much-needed scarcity on a small slate.
Orioles against Clay Buchholz (Blue Jays)
Anthony Santander (OF - $4,200) Renato Nunez (1B/3B - $4,000) Jonathan Villar (2B/SS - $4,900)
It's not often that Baltimore is seen as a stackable offense, but Buchholz has struggled mightily in 2019, and the Orioles have some sneaky powerful bats we can use to get ahead.
