This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
After a light Monday, we're back with a packed schedule across baseball for Tuesday. Let's get right to it and highlight some pitchers and hitters to consider when building your DraftKings lineups.
Pitchers
The Mariners' lineup could sure use an infusion of young talent, like say, Jarred Kelenic. He will reportedly be called up Thursday, but the Mariners will have to get by without him until then. That means the team that entered Monday with the third-worst OPS in baseball could be ripe for the pickings with Walker Buehler ($9,800) on the mound for the Dodgers. He continues to be one of the anchors of the Dodgers' rotation, posting a 3.13 ERA and a 2.99 FIP through his first six starts.
After a productive career in the KBO, Kwang Hyun Kim ($7,200) joined the Cardinals in 2020, finishing the season with a 1.62 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. He was somewhat aided by a .217 BABIP allowed and his FIP wasn't nearly as impressive at 3.88. However, he only allowed 0.7 HR/9, which was an area that he also excelled in while playing in the KBO. Through his first four outings this season, he has a 3.06 ERA and a 2.65 FIP. With his cheap salary, he could be worth taking a chance on versus a Brewers team that has the fourth-worst OPS.
One of the first things to do when creating your lineups on a daily basis is to see which pitcher is facing the Tigers. They not only have the worst OPS in baseball entering Monday, but their .628 mark in the category is significantly lower than the next worst team, which is the Pirates (.652). Looking to continue to hold their bats in check will be Brady Singer ($5,700), who will be starting against them for the second time this season. The first time around, he allowed one run and recorded eight strikeouts across seven innings.
Top Targets
The Nationals will turn to Erick Fedde ($6,000) to make another start despite his career 5.12 ERA and 5.41 FIP. Not only does he have a career 1.49 WHIP, but he's allowed 1.6 HR/9. That could be a deadly combination against Bryce Harper ($5,700), who has a .250 ISO and a .411 wOBA.
It's tough to feel good about Robbie Ray's ($7,800) 3.14 ERA given that his FIP sits at 4.74 and the fact that he's allowed 1.9 HR/9. His improved command is certainly noteworthy, but with his struggles keeping hitters inside the ballpark, the powerful duo of Ronald Acuna Jr. ($6,000) and Marcel Ozuna ($5,000) could be key targets who are primed for big nights at the plate.
Bargain Bats
Going back to the Phillies' matchup against Fedde, Didi Gregorius ($3,800) is also worth considering. He's off to a slow start with a .279 wOBA and an uncharacteristically-high 19.8 percent strikeout rate, which doesn't exactly breed a lot of confidence. Still, he's coming off of three straight seasons with an ISO of at least .204, so he could capitalize on Fedde's propensity for allowing home runs.
Shohei Ohtani ($7,400) has some bizarre pitching stats. While he has a 2.41 ERA through four starts, his FIP sits at 3.96. Despite a .188 BABIP allowed, he has a 1.39 WHIP thanks to his bloated 22.6 percent walk rate. It might not be a crazy idea to deploy an Astros' hitter, or two, in your entry based on his wildness. One who checks in at a cheap salary is Kyle Tucker ($3,300), who should see his .188 batting averaging improve when his .180 BABIP normalizes. He is making good contact, posting a 46.9 percent hard-hit rate and a 10.4 percent barrel rate.
Stacks to Consider
Nationals vs. Chase Anderson ($6,800), Phillies: Juan Soto ($5,300), Trea Turner ($5,600), Kyle Schwarber ($3,700)
A change of scenery doesn't appear to have helped Anderson. After recording a 7.22 ERA and a 6.16 FIP with the Blue Jays last season, he has a 5.54 ERA and a 5.33 FIP though his first six starts with the Phillies. His issue has been keeping hitters off base, following up his 1.63 WHIP last season with a 1.50 WHIP this year. Add in a pedestrian 20.3 percent career strikeout rate and the Nationals could be primed for a big offensive performance. Anderson's lack of strikeout stuff could help Schwarber, who has historically struggled in that department. His upside is undeniable, though, given his career .246 ISO.
Rockies vs. Dinelson Lamet ($7,400), Padres: Trevor Story ($5,700), Ryan McMahon ($5,400), Charlie Blackmon ($4,800)
Lamet was scheduled to start Monday, but with the game being postponed due to inclement weather, he'll get an extra day of rest before taking the mound Tuesday. He was able to make a quick return after being placed on the IL with a forearm strain, taking the mound last Tuesday against the Pirates. However, the Padres didn't take any chances with him, pulling him after two innings pitched. Expect him to be limited in this game, as well, which could result in the Rockies taking the majority of their at-bats against the bullpen. Story is off to another good start, recording a .211 ISO and a .361 wOBA.
Padres vs. Antonio Senzatela ($5,200), Rockies: Fernando Tatis Jr. ($5,900), Eric Hosmer ($5,000), Trent Grisham ($4,300)
Senzatela was going to be activated from the IL to start Monday before the game was postponed, so he's likely to get a start Tuesday, instead. He had a short stint on the sidelines, so he shouldn't be on any sort of pitch limits for this outing. He was struggling before going on the IL, though, posting a 5.76 ERA and an equally poor 5.19 FIP across six starts. Hosmer could prove to be a particularly tough out given that he only has a 17.7 percent strikeout rate for his career. He's been even better this season with a 13.4 percent strikeout rate on his way to a .358 wOBA.
