This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
When it comes to pitching, Jacob deGrom is in a class (and salary bracket) of his own. We outline three other DFS pitchers you may want to take a look at on Saturday's 10-game afternoon slate.
Pitching
Lance Lynn ($9,600) suffered one of his worst outings of the season last week against the Astros, which could explain why he can be had for a less expensive salary despite facing a far less formidable offense. The Mariners will head into the contest sporting a bottom-10 wOBA against right-handed pitchers. They also hold the third-highest strikeout rate in the league against orthodox hurlers (26.2 percent). This bodes well for Lynn, who will take a 2.14 ERA and 28 percent strikeout rate to the mound.
Alex Cobb's ($8,500) 4.41 ERA keeps him entrenched as a mid-range option against lackluster opponents, but those who monitor advanced statistics should be grateful for the discount as the veteran's 2.59 xFIP is the third-lowest mark in the league among hurlers who have thrown at least 40 innings. The Rays represent a tough task for any pitcher, but also carry the second-highest strikeout rate in the league against right-handers and that translates to tremendous potential upside at Cobb's salary.
Adrian Houser ($7,000) was shellacked by the Rockies in his last start, but Colorado is simply a different offense away from Coors Field as evidenced by the league-worst .255 wOBA they hold on the road. While Houser doesn't always give us the length we might want from a starter, he is positioned well to succeed thanks to his eye-popping 60 percent groundball rate with Colorado entering having hit 47 percent of balls in play on the ground.
Top Hitters
Bo Bichette ($6,000) is enjoying a solid overall season at the plate, but has taken his performance to another level against southpaws against whom he's recorded a .242 ISO and .422 wOBA over 62 at-bats. Keegan Akin has done a fair job preventing runs this season against righty hitters, but a 5.03 xFIP tells us that correction is likely on its way.
Nelson Cruz's ($5,200) legendary prowess against lefty arms has continued well into his age-40 season, with the veteran having logged a .293 ISO and .475 wOBA in 82 at-bats versus his opposite hand. Sam Hentges' first year as a major leaguer hasn't gone according to plan, as we can see from the .538 slugging percentage he's allowed to right-handed hitters across 24 frames.
Kenta Maeda has been hit unusually hard in 2021, with both righty and lefty bats slugging over .500 against him in 52 innings. Meanwhile, Jose Ramirez ($5,400) has absolutely crushed the ball from the left side of the plate by notching a .304 ISO in 161 at-bats.
Bargain Bats
DK salary makers continue to overlook the skills of Bryan Reynolds ($3,300), despite the fact he's produced a .312/.401/.538 slash line over 260 at-bats this year. This makes him an option against nearly every pitcher in the game, including Adam Wainwright and a .297 wOBA against left-handed hitters from 44.2 innings.
Max Stassi ($3,700) has been better overall against righties in 2021, but the power he's displayed against southpaws is worth noticing with a .320 ISO against opposite-handed hurlers in 25 at-bats. While Shane McClanahan has used the strikeout to keep his ERA in check, he's experienced trouble keeping the ball in the yard against righty bats by allowing seven home runs in only 36 innings.
Miguel Rojas ($3,200) won't make heads turn with his power, but the 32-year-old has been incredibly productive against left-handed pitchers this year with a .434 wOBA across 59 at-bats. Patrick Corbin's strikeout rate has dropped for the third consecutive season, which has almost certainly contributed to his 5.61 ERA over 76.2 frames. Right-handed hitters have particularly benefitted by notching a .376 wOBA against Corbin in 59 innings.
Stacks to Consider
Marlins against Patrick Corbin: Starling Marte ($4,300), Adam Duvall ($3,400), Garrett Cooper ($3,000)
The Marlins may not have many hitters who are household names, but they can be employed as an under-the-radar stack on a crowded slate. The value starts right at the top with Marte assigned a mid-tier salary despite posting a .222 ISO and .416 wOBA against southpaws in 45 at-bats.
Blue Jays against Keegan Akin: Bo Bichette ($6,000), Teoscar Hernandez ($4,700), Randal Grichuk ($4,300)
Considering how mightily Akin has struggled this season, one might think Blue Jays hitters would be too expensive to stack. While prospective poolies will have to pay a pretty penny for someone like Bichette, Grichuk represents a productive, affordable option with a .265 ISO against left-handed pitchers.
