This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Due to a heavy dose of day games, there are only six games left that make up the main evening slate on DraftKings. The good news is there are still plenty of top-tier pitchers available. The bad news is when you combine that with the limited amount of games, viable hitting options aren't that easy to come by. Let's break things down and highlight some of the better players to target.
Pitching Overview
Among the big names set to take the hill is Justin Verlander ($11,500) at home against the Mariners. Despite giving up an abnormally high amount of home runs, Verlander is still having a great season with a 2.67 ERA and 0.75 WHIP. His strikeout rate is a sparkling 32.6 percent, so he carries plenty of upside into this game considering the Mariners have struck out the most times in baseball. Verlander has also registered a 3.16 FIP at home, compared to a 4.13 FIP on the road.
As far as favorable matchups go, it doesn't get much better than Zack Greinke ($9,500) against the Giants. Without much notable talent to speak of, the Giants check in with the third-fewest runs scored. Even though his 22.4 percent strikeout rate isn't anything to write home about, Greinke continues to do an excellent job of limiting base runners as evidenced by a 0.95 WHIP. His upside isn't as high as Verlander's, but this is an opportunity for him to thrive.
It's hard to get overly excited about any of the cheap starting pitchers. If you want to take a chance on someone in tournament play, rolling with Dakota Hudson ($6,900) against the Padres might not be a bad idea. He got off to a bit of a rough start by allowing eight home runs across his first five outings, but he's only allowed two long balls over 11 starts since. He's also thrown a quality start in eight straight outings. The Padres have struck out the third-most times, so Hudson might also be able to provide a little added value in that department.
Key Values/Chalk
Drew Pomeranz will be tasked with trying to slow down the Diamondbacks, which will be no easy task since they own the fifth-highest wRC+ against left handed pitching at 119. In particular, Ketel Marte ($5,200) has destroyed southpaws to the tune of a 153 wRC+. Another intriguing option is Carson Kelly ($3,900), who has been even better than Marte with a 224 wRC+ against lefties.
Brett Anderson can eat innings, but he's been mediocre for the A's this season with a 4.67 FIP and a 1.40 WHIP. He doesn't miss many bats either, leaving him with an 11.7 percent strikeout rate. Getting past Mike Trout ($5,600) will be no easy task. Justin Upton ($4,100) could also provide significant value. He hasn't skipped a beat after starting the season on the IL by hitting 11-for-36 with three home runs across 10 games.
Stacks
Dodgers vs. Jon Gray (Rockies)
Cody Bellinger (OF - $5,800), Max Muncy (1B/2B - $5,400), Matt Beaty (1B/OF - $3,700)
The Dodgers playing at Coors Field stands out as the top stack of the night. They've had plenty of success in the first two games of this series, scoring a combined 21 runs. When they faced Gray here earlier this season, they scored five runs off of him over six innings. Bellinger and Muncy are two big bats to target, while Beaty could also provide value at a cheaper price based on his .352 wOBA against righties.
Astros vs. Yusei Kikuchi (Mariners)
Alex Bregman (3B/SS - $5,100), George Springer (OF - $5,400), Yuli Gurriel (1B - $4,000)
The Astros come in the healthiest they have been in a while. Bregman had hit a bit of a wall lately, but he's showing signs of coming out of it by going .375 with a home run and two doubles over his last six games. Springer hasn't wasted any time since coming off the IL, hitting 5-for-15 with a home run across four outings. Gurriel doesn't carry nearly the upside that either Bregman or Springer do, but he's also on a roll after hitting .341 with three home runs and three doubles over his last 11 games.
Brewers vs. Jordan Lyles (Pirates)
Christian Yelich (OF - $5,700), Mike Moustakas (2B/3B - $4,700), Keston Hiura (2B - $4,000)
Lyles is set to be activated from the IL after missing the last three weeks with a hamstring injury. He actually faced the Brewers in both of his last two starts, allowing a combined seven runs over nine innings. Left-handed hitters have recorded a .367 wOBA against him this season, which could put him in hot water against Yelich and Moustakas. Hiura also represents a viable option despite not having the platoon advantage. He forced the Brewers to recall him after he tore up Triple-A - and he won't destroy your budget at this price.
