This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
After a limited slate of action Monday, we have 14 games to pour through Tuesday on DraftKings. With so many options to consider, let's try to narrow down the field by highlighting some players who could exploit favorable matchups.
Pitchers
Freddy Peralta ($10,000) has been dominant for the Brewers, posting a 2.28 ERA and a 2.89 FIP across 14 appearances, 13 of which were starts. His strikeout rate checks in at 35.9 percent and he's allowed just 0.8 HR/9, which is an area that he's generally excelled in throughout his career. He'll look to improve his numbers against a Diamondbacks team that has the sixth-worst OPS in baseball. The last time he faced them, he recorded nine strikeouts and allowed one run over 7.1 innings.
Another pitcher with a favorable matchup is Lucas Giolito ($9,400), who will be facing a Pirates team that has the worst OPS in baseball. The game will also be played in Pittsburgh, so he will get the benefit of facing the pitcher instead of a DH. While his 3.86 ERA and 4.22 FIP are a bit disappointing compared to his last two seasons, he stands out as one of the best options for this slate.
Working our way further down the salary scale brings us to Tarik Skubal ($6,600), who doesn't exactly have impressive numbers with a 4.36 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. However, a lot of the damage done against him came earlier in the season. He hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of his last six starts, recording a 3.00 ERA and 1.33 WHIP during that stretch. What's even more impressive is that he had 50 strikeouts over 33 innings. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him to keep things rolling against a Cardinals team that has the eighth-worst OPS.
Top Targets
Simply put, Kyle Freeland ($4,200) has been a disaster for the Rockies. He's allowed at least five runs in three straight starts, leaving him with a 9.58 ERA and a 9.56 FIP for the season. He's allowed a whopping nine home runs across 20.2 innings, which is even more troublesome when you factor in his 2.27 WHIP. The Mariners might not have a ton of dangerous hitters, but this could be a prime spot to deploy Mitch Haniger ($5,000) and his .239 ISO.
Jordan Lyles ($5,100) is also giving up runs in bunches, leaving him with a 5.68 ERA and 5.58 FIP. He was originally scheduled to start Tuesday against the A's, but the Rangers will now roll with Taylor Hearn ($4,000) in what will likely amount to a bullpen game. There is also a chance that Lyles could pitch in relief. With all of this in mind, Matt Olson ($5,600) could be in line for a productive evening. He's already been one of the best first baseman in baseball, posting a 171 wRC+.
Bargain Bats
Jazz Chisholm Jr. ($3,500) certainly has the makings of being an electric player, recording eight home runs and 10 steals through 49 games this season. However, he's shown to be a free-swinger, recording a 31.2 percent strikeout rate. That might not be an issue for his matchup against Ross Stripling ($5,700), though, given that Stripling has a career 23.2 percent strikeout rate. While Stripling has shown some improvement this season, he's still someone to consider attacking in DFS given his 4.42 FIP and 1.31 WHIP.
The Yankees' lineup has been a disappointment this season and one of the poster boys for their struggles has been Gleyber Torres ($3,500). His power has basically disappeared, leaving him with just a .080 ISO. Even with a .307 BABIP, his actual batting average is only .252. With all of that being said, he has historically been a better hitter at Yankee Stadium, posting a career .350 wOBA there compared to a .333 wOBA on the road. He might be able to provide value for his home matchup against Brady Singer ($5,300), who enters with a 1.43 WHIP.
Stacks to Consider
Astros vs. Jorge Lopez ($4,500), Orioles: Jose Altuve ($5,500), Yordan Alvarez ($4,900), Michael Brantley ($3,900)
The struggling Orioles continue to start Lopez despite his 5.95 ERA and 5.29 FIP. It's not likely that he's going to turn things around anytime soon, either, given his career 6.01 ERA and 5.16 FIP. He's certainly had difficulties keeping hitters inside the ball park, putting himself on pace to allow at least 1.6 HR/9 for the third straight season. The Astros have the best OPS in baseball, and by a wide margin, so Lopez could get in trouble here in a hurry. Brantley could be a key member of any Astros stack given how hot he is, hitting 24-for-47 (.511) with a home run and seven doubles over his last 12 games.
White Sox vs. Tyler Anderson ($8,000), Pirates: Jose Abreu ($5,200), Tim Anderson ($4,700), Andrew Vaughn ($3,200)
Anderson was shelled in his last start against the Nationals, allowing six runs over six innings. After starting off the season on a high note, he has a 7.24 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP over his last six starts. Now he has to try and right the ship against a White Sox team that has the second-highest OPS against left-handed pitchers in baseball. Even though Abreu hasn't performed as well as in seasons past, he's still thriving versus lefties with a .364 wOBA against them. That should come as no surprise give his career .387 wOBA against them.
Cubs vs. Eli Morgan ($6,000), Indians: Kris Bryant ($5,200), Anthony Rizzo ($4,900), Joc Pederson ($4,700)
The Indians are running out of healthy starting pitchers, so Morgan is set to make his third start of the season. The first two didn't go well with him allowing nine runs over 6.1 innings. He's only pitched a total of 22.1 career innings at Triple-A, so the jump to the majors might just be too much for him at this stage of his development. The rate at which he has been allowing home runs could make Pederson an excellent option. He's started to heat up in that department, launching five home runs over his last 11 games.
