This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
There are only a couple of day games across baseball Tuesday, which leaves 13 games for the main evening slate on DraftKings. Let's get right down to business and highlight some pitchers and hitters who could thrive based on their respective matchups.
Pitchers
After the Padres had their matchup with the Braves rained out Monday, Yu Darvish ($9,800) will start Tuesday instead. Recently on the IL, he came out of his bullpen session Saturday feeling fine, saying that he's completely healthy. That means he shouldn't be on any sort of a pitch limit. With his 3.29 FIP and 29.8 percent strikeout rate, he could take advantage of a Braves lineup that is compromised without Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee).
Aaron Nola ($9,500) is expected to be activated from the COVID-19 list to start against the Yankees. He wasn't pitching well before that, allowing at least four runs in four of his previous six starts. However, during that stretch, he recorded 48 strikeouts across 31 innings. That included a start against the Yankees in which he had nine strikeouts across 7.2 shutout innings. With the Yankees missing several key hitters, Nola could have similar success in their rematch.
Working our way down the salary scale, Tarik Skubal ($7,700) is an intriguing option in tournament play. His overall numbers aren't great considering his 4.36 ERA and 5.04 FIP. On the bright side, he's missed plenty of bats, leaving him with a 27.1 percent strikeout rate. There's a chance that he could provide value in a matchup with the Rangers, who have the fourth-worst OPS in baseball.
Top Targets
After a brief stint in the bullpen, Domingo German ($7,000) will return to the starting rotation for the Yankees. He's had his ups-and-downs this season with his main issue being an inability to keep hitters inside the ball park. Across 82 innings, he's allowed 16 home runs. That could make this a favorable spot to roll with Bryce Harper ($5,400), who also has a .295 ISO versus right-handed pitchers this season.
Tim Anderson ($5,600) is in the midst of a 16-game hitting streak for the White Sox in which he hit 28-for-71 (.394) with three home runs and six doubles. While he's still not walking much, his recent hot streak has him on pace to hit at least .300 for the third straight season. He has a favorable opportunity to extend his hitting streak against Bailey Ober ($8,800), who has a 5.45 ERA and 5.57 FIP across eight starts.
Bargain Bats
Jesse Winker ($3,900) made this section Monday and came through, hitting 3-for-6 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored. Now his salary is $300 cheaper for a matchup against Robert Stock ($5,600), who has spent the majority of his career toiling in the minors. With his career 1.59 WHIP in the majors, Winker has the potential to provide value again.
It's a bit surprising to see Bryan Reynolds ($3,600) have such a cheap salary. He's in the midst of a great season for the Pirates that has seen him record a .389 wOBA ad a .216 ISO. He's reduced his strikeout rate to 19.8 percent, which is nearly eight percentage points lower than last season. Trying to slow him down will be Taylor Widener ($7,900), who has a 5.08 FIP that indicates he hasn't pitched nearly as well as his 2.54 ERA would lead you to believe.
Stacks to Consider
Blue Jays vs. Garrett Richards ($7,500), Red Sox: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($6,000), Bo Bichette ($5,000), George Springer ($4,600)
Richards is usually a pitcher to attack in DFS given his bloated 1.68 WHIP. He's faced the Blue Jays three times already this season, allowing a whopping 35 base runners across 16.2 innings. The result was a total of 10 runs scored by the Blue Jays. This could be a great matchup for Springer, who is 6-for-9 with a home run and a double over the last three games, to continue to build some positive momentum after an injury-plagued first half.
Red Sox vs. Thomas Hatch ($4,000), Blue Jays: Rafael Devers ($5,400), Xander Bogaerts ($5,100), Jarren Duran ($2,300)
After serving as a starter for the Blue Jays in the minors, Hatch made 16 of his 17 appearances with the team out of the bullen last season. His 2.73 ERA looked nice, but his FIP wasn't as impressive at 4.14 and he had an 11.9 percent walk rate to go along with his 21.1 percent strikeout rate. He has a 2.15 ERA at Triple-A this season, but again, his FIP isn't as promising at 4.45. Facing a loaded Red Sox lineup is not going to be an easy task. Duran has already started to make his presence felt for the Red Sox, slugging his first home run in Monday's lopsided victory.
Cubs vs. TBD, Cardinals: Javier Baez ($5,400), Kris Bryant ($4,700), Anthony Rizzo ($3,800)
The Cardinals hadn't officially named their starting pitcher as of early Tuesday morning, but indications are that it could be Johan Oviedo ($6,500), who would be recalled from Triple-A. He's struggled during his time in the majors, posting a 5.09 ERA and a 5.30 FIP across 12 appearances, 11 of which were starts. However, with how many injuries they have suffered to their starting rotation, the Cardinals might need him to at least try to eat some innings. After proving very little power in 2020, Bryant has bounced back with a .225 ISO this season to go along with his .358 wOBA.
