This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
There's only one day game on the schedule Tuesday, which makes for a loaded evening slate on DraftKings. We have a ton of options to wade through, so let's get right to it and highlight some players to consider for your lineups.
Pitchers
Zac Gallen ($8,900) is one of the bright young pitchers in the league, so it was disappointing to see him begin the season on the IL. However, he wasn't out for long, making his debut last week versus the A's. He only made it through four innings, but he was excellent, allowing one run while recording eight strikeouts. With his career 1.17 WHIP and 28.9 percent strikeout rate, he's one of the top options for this slate in his matchup versus the Reds.
The Yankees have surprisingly struggled out of the gate. Their potent lineup has gone silent, entering Monday with the worst OPS (.642) in the league. This might not be the best matchup for them to get back on track, facing a familiar foe in Charlie Morton ($8,100). When he was a member of the Rays, he often haunted the Yankees, which has left him with a 32.4 percent strikeout rate against them for his career.
Another high-profile franchise that has struggled to hit is the Cubs, who entered Monday with the seventh-worst OPS (.664). They've also struck out the ninth-most times, which could make it troublesome for them to get back on track in short order. This could be an opportune time to deploy Taijuan Walker ($7,600), who has allowed three runs while recording 12 strikeouts across 10.1 innings in his first two starts.
Top Targets
When Adam Wainwright ($5,900) took the mound against the Nationals last week, he was roughed up for four runs (three earned) across five innings. Juan Soto ($5,900) registered two hits, two runs scored and an RBI in the game. Although he entered Monday with just two home runs, he once again had more walks (11) than he did strikeouts (seven). With Wainwright's subpar career strikeout rate of 20.3 percent, Soto could shine in this matchup.
Logan Webb ($7,400) has experienced some side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine, but he is expected to take the mound Tuesday against the Phillies. He's a prime pitcher to target when he starts considering he has a 1.55 WHIP for his career. Bryce Harper ($5,600) and Rhys Hoskins ($4,700) are two of the top options on the Phillies to consider.
Bargain Bats
Staying in that same Phillies game, Alec Bohm ($3,600) should also be on your radar. His 30.0 percent strikeout rate entering Monday is concerning, but given that Webb only has a 20.2 percent strikeout rate, that might not be an area of concern for this matchup.
Jake Arrieta ($7,900) returned to the Cubs this offseason and has made them look smart for bringing him back, posting a 3.18 ERA and 3.28 FIP through three starts. However, this is the same pitcher who is coming off of back-to-backs seasons with a FIP of at least 4.66 and a WHIP of at least 1.47. Left-handed hitters have recorded a wOBA of at least .351 against him in each of the last four years, so Brandon Nimmo ($3,500) should be on your radar.
Stacks to Consider
Orioles vs. Nick Neidert ($5,600), Marlins: Trey Mancini ($5,200), Cedric Mullins ($3,800), Ryan Mountcastle ($4,100)
It's been an ugly beginning for Neidert, who hasn't made it past 4.2 innings in either of his first two starts. He has a 1.89 WHIP, which is a concern given that he had a 1.63 WHIP at Triple-A in 2019. Mancini is the big name to build an Orioles stack around while Mullins is also an intriguing option. He likely won't be able to maintain his .467 BABIP, but he's improved his eye at the plate, increasing his walk rate from 5.2 percent last season to 8.8 percent. That's more in line with the walk rate that he posted during his various stops in the minor leagues.
Angels vs. Jordan Lyles ($6,700), Rangers: Mike Trout ($6,100), Jared Walsh ($4,800), David Fletcher ($3,500)
Home runs are a problem for Lyles. He's allowed at least 1.6 HR/9 in three of the last four seasons and has already been taken deep four times across 15.1 innings in 2021. That could end up being his downfall against the powerful duo of Trout and Walsh. Normally this would also be a great spot to deploy Shohei Ohtani, but with him scheduled to start this game on the mound and have a limited pitch count, Angels' manager Joe Maddon has said that he will not be batting.
Cardinals vs. Patrick Corbin ($7,200), Nationals: Paul Goldschmidt ($5,000), Nolan Arenado ($5,000), Paul DeJong ($3,700)
It's only been two starts, but no pitcher ever wants to see their ERA sitting at 21.32. If Corbin wants to look at the silver lining, his FIP is much better at 13.68. The scary part about his start is that it continues a downward trend that he showed last season when he finished with a 4.66 ERA and 4.17 FIP. After posting back-to-back seasons with a strikeout rate of at least 28.5 percent, he had only a 20.3 percent strikeout rate. This season, he's at 15.0 percent. This could get ugly in a hurry.
