This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Tuesday brings a packed schedule across baseball, including two doubleheaders. There are a few aces set to take the mound for their respective teams, such as Max Scherzer of the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, the night is generally light on quality pitching options, which could make for several high-scoring games. Some of the struggling pitchers who are scheduled to start include J.A. Happ, Kolby Allard and Keegan Akin. Let's highlight some players to target as you build your DraftKings lineups.
Pitchers
Scherzer ($11,000) was locked in during his first start as a member of the Dodgers, holding the Astros to two runs over seven innings. He recorded 10 strikeouts along the way and now has a 34.5 percent strikeout rate for the season. That puts him on pace for his seventh straight season with a strikeout rate of over 30 percent. He could once again be dominant in a matchup against the Phillies, who he allowed one run and recorded nine strikeouts against over 7.2 innings earlier this season.
It took a few starts for Logan Gilbert ($9,600) to settle in, but he's shown why he was among the Mariners' top prospects. Across 14 starts, he had a 4.14 ERA and an even better 3.24 FIP. He did an excellent job of limiting home runs throughout the minors and has carried that over into the big leagues, allowing 0.9 HR/9. He's also missed plenty of bats, generating a 28.2 percent strikeout rate. Up next is a favorable matchup against the Rangers, who have the worst OPS in baseball.
The Rockies only have a .616 OPS away from Coors Field this season, so with them playing on the road against the Astros, Jake Odorizzi ($7,700) might be worth taking a chance on. He certainly hasn't been great given his 4.95 ERA and 5.07 FIP, but he's been better with at home, posting a 4.07 FIP there compared to a 5.79 FIP on the road.
Top Targets
Cedric Mullins ($4,800) has been a pleasant surprise for the Orioles and for fantasy managers who drafted him in season-long leagues. He's been the leader of their offensive attack, posting a .231 ISO and a .397 wOBA. One of his main area of improvements has been his 8.4 percent barrel rate. He could keep rolling in that department against Casey Mize ($7,300), who has allowed 1.5 HR/9 and a 10.4 percent barrel rate.
Drew Smyly ($6,900) has at least been healthy for the Braves, logging 19 starts this season. They haven't been great, though, given his 5.10 FIP and 1.41 WHIP. He's also allowed 1.8 HR/9, so he could be in trouble against Reds' power-hitting outfielder Nick Castellanos ($4,400). Castellanos also has a career .371 wOBA against left-handed pitchers.
Bargain Bats
Tyler O'Neill ($3,500) is in the midst of a breakout campaign for the Cardinals. While he's still striking out a ton, a staggering 18.2 percent barrel rate has helped him produce a 133 wRC+. He's been even better versus left-handed pitchers given his 145 wRC+ against them, which makes him an intriguing option in a matchup with Steven Brault ($6,100). Strikeouts might not be an issue with Brault on the mound given that Brault only has a career 19.0 percent strikeout rate.
The White Sox's lineup is getting healthy at the right time. Making his return Monday was Luis Robert ($3,400), who had been sidelined since early May with a hip injury. He made an immediate impact, going 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Given his power upside, now might be the time to add him to your lineup before his salary starts to climb. He's certainly not facing an overpowering pitcher in Griffin Jax ($5,400), who has a 16.2 percent strikeout rate.
Stacks to Consider
Tigers vs. Keegan Akin ($5,100), Orioles: Jonathan Schoop ($4,700), Eric Haase ($5,400), Robbie Grossman ($4,000)
If there is a bright side with Akin, it's that his 4.78 FIP is considerably better than his 7.66 ERA. However, until he shows significant improvement on his 1.74 WHIP, he's someone to stack against in DFS. Schoop has been one of the Tigers' best hitters, slugging 18 home runs while hitting .288. Haase is also an appealing option given his 189 wRC+ against lefties this season.
Mariners vs. Kolby Allard ($6,400), Rangers: Mitch Haniger ($4,900), Abraham Toro ($4,200), Ty France ($3,900)
Keeping hitters inside the ball park has been an issue for Allard, who has allowed 1.7 HR/9. The Mariners took him deep in a matchup less than two weeks ago, leaving Allard to allow seven runs (six earned) across three innings. Haniger has already hit 25 home runs, making him someone to build a Mariners stack around. Toro has also shown plenty of power, slugging .682 since being traded to Seattle.
Pirates vs. J.A. Happ ($5,900): Bryan Reynolds ($4,000), Ke'Bryan Hayes ($4,000), Rodolfo Castro ($2,900)
The Pirates aren't usually a team to consider stacking given that they have the second-worst OPS in baseball. However, a matchup with Happ might be an exception. He's been awful, recording a 5.39 FIP and a 1.57 WHIP over 20 starts. Reynolds should be at the center of any Pirates stack given his .393 wOBA. Happ has also allowed 1.9 HR/9, so Castro could also be worth taking a chance on. In limited action, he's sporting a .483 slugging percentage.
