This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Even during this shortened, faster-paced season, Monday was still a somewhat light day for MLB. That's even with the Phillies being able to return to action to play the Yankees. There are still questions surrounding some teams, such as the Marlins and Cardinals, but there should still be plenty of baseball action Tuesday. Some of these teams even got a chance to have a bit of rest.
Let's dig into the interesting DFS options on this slate...
PITCHING
Did anybody expect Lance Lynn ($9,900) to end up with the Rangers and then have a career year at 32? Well he did, thanks to his 3.12 FIP. Nothing has changed to start this campaign, as Lynn has taken the mound twice, gone six innings twice, and allowed no runs. The Athletics had a top-10 offense in 2020, but they also have a pitcher-friendly ballpark. I'm not concerned for Lynn.
Dustin May ($7,500) came into the season as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, and nothing he's done at the Major League level has indicated that was a mistake. The only concern so far is that he hasn't gone more than 4.1 innings in a start year this season, which makes it impossible to earn a win. His career 3.40 ERA is encouraging, though, and if he gets to go at least five innings, the chances of him picking up a win are good against the Padres. San Diego was in the bottom five in runs scored last season, even with the addition of Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.
Max Fried's ($8,500) first season as a full-time starter went fine with him posting a 4.02 ERA, though with a 3.21 ERA at home. Fortunately for him, this game is taking place in Atlanta. He's also off to a hot start this year as well, posting a 2.01 FIP through two starts. The Blue Jays had a .236 batting average as a team last season, lowest in the majors.
TOP PICKS
Anthony Rizzo's ($5,400) batting average isn't where you would expect it to be at this point, but given that his career average is .272, I'm not concerned -- especially since the power is already there with three homers in only 10 games. Hitting within the friendly confines of Wrigley Field taking on a righty is something that caters to Rizzo's strengths, and Tuesday he faces rookie pitcher Brady Singer. While Singer has a 3.60 ERA through two starts, he gave up two homers to the Tigers in Detroit, and this is definitely a more daunting task.
Francisco Lindor ($8,100) is off to a worse start than Rizzo, but that's okay. When you're talking about a player who has over 30 homers and 20 stolen bases in each of his last two seasons, that's something special. Cincinnati's Tyler Mahle has never had a FIP better than 4.65 in two years as a starter with the Reds.
Ketel Marte ($5,500) took his game to a whole new level in 2019, posting a slash line of .329/.389/.592 with 32 home runs and 10 stolen bases. While he's a switch hitter, he's done much better versus lefties, with a .971 OPS in those matchups since 2018. Houston starter Framber Valdez is a southpaw who really struggles against right-handed batters. In fact, in 2019 he allowed a .291 batting average against righties.
VALUE PLAYS
David Fletcher ($3,800) showed potential in 2019, as the rookie sported a 2.90 GAA and .350 OBP. The only issue was a total lack of power. While it's early, Fletcher has a .447 slugging percentage to start 2020, which would be just enough pop to take things to the next level. In addition to the expected return of Mike Trout to the lineup, always good for the Angels, Justin Dunn will be on the mound for the Mariners. Seattle's sixth starter has a career 3.72 ERA through five starts, but a 6.94 FIP.
Flipping this matchup around, I wanted a righty with some power from the Mariners, and Evan White ($3,000) seems like the best bet. The rookie is off to a slow start, but he's considered one of Seattle's best prospects and had a .488 slugging percentage in Double-A in 2019. Angels starter Andrew Heaney is a lefty and he has allowed 1.55 homers per nine innings in his career.
Nathan Eovaldi has one of the top fastball velocities in the majors, but has allowed 1.51 home runs per nine innings over his three previous seasons. Yoshi Tsutsugo ($4,800) had some impressive power numbers in Japan before coming over this offseason, and the fact the Rays are willing to let him be their designated hitter shows a trust in his bat.
STACKS
Rockies vs. Kevin Gausman: Nolan Arenado ($5,300), Charlie Blackmon ($5,800), Ryan McMahon ($4,600)
I know, I know. It's not creative to go with a stack from a game taking place at Coors Field. That doesn't mean it isn't a smart decision, though. Gausman may have escaped Baltimore, but it hasn't saved him as a pitcher. While he looked good in 2018 after being dealt to Atlanta, in 2019 he had a 6.19 ERA for Atlanta before being dealt to the Reds and shoved in the bullpen. A career 4.10 FIP is indicative of a middling pitcher, and it tends to take more talent -- and homer suppression -- to survive Coors.
I have zero concern about Arenado's cold start. He has at least 37 homers in each of his five seasons and his career BABIP is .301, so expect a lot of regression toward the mean there. Blackmon is maybe the quintessential example of a hitter who feasts at Coors but falters on the road, but who cares when he's at home? He has a 1.066 OPS in his own ballpark since 2018. While McMahon doesn't walk much, he had a .450 slugging percentage with 24 homers in 141 games last season playing second base.
