This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Tuesday's slate is loaded with quality starting pitchers. In fact, at least four pitchers with double-digits wins are scheduled to take the mound. That's not even including Brandon Woodruff and Lucas Giolito, who are also scheduled to take the mound. That could make runs difficult to come by in several games. However, there are still some struggling pitchers on the docket, including John Gant and Keegan Akin. Let's delve into the matchups and highlight some players to consider for your lineups.
Pitchers
It's not difficult to make a case for deploying Giolito ($8,800) in DFS whenever he takes the mound. He's been consistent for the White Sox on his way to a 3.68 ERA and a 3.88 FIP. His strikeout rate is down compared to the last couple of seasons, but it's still excellent at 28.3 percent. He'll be facing a Pirates team that has the worst OPS in baseball, so expect to see Giolito included in a lot of entries, and rightfully so.
Hyun Jin Ryu ($8,600) doesn't have nearly the strikeout upside that Giolito does, given that his strikeout rate is only 19.6 percent. That's actually his lowest mark since the 2016 season. Still, he's pitched well, posting a 3.88 ERA and a 3.84 FIP. He has an excellent opportunity to keep things rolling against the Orioles, who have been struggling mightily down the stretch. He has faced them three times already, allowing six runs over 18.2 innings.
If you're looking to load up on hitters, then taking a chance on Jordan Lyles ($5,200) in tournament play might not be a crazy idea. Yes, he's been bad this season with a 5.63 FIP and a 1.49 WHIP. However, he has a favorable matchup at home against the Rockies. The Rockies have a robust .840 OPS at Coors Field, but that mark is only .618 on the road.
Top Targets
Giancarlo Stanton ($4,800) is locked in at the plate. He went deep again Monday, giving him five home runs over his last seven games. Going back even further, he is 31-for-91 (.341) with a .417 OBP and nine home runs over his last 25 games. He has a favorable opportunity to stay hot against Jaime Barria ($6,400), who has a 5.56 ERA and a 5.19 FIP.
Wander Franco ($5,200) has certainly put his slow start behind him. Over his last 26 games, he is 34-for-104 (.327) with three home runs, nine doubles and two triples. He's even accumulated 22 RBI and 27 runs scored during that stretch. The Red Sox have yet to officially name a starter for their matchup with the Rays as of early Tuesday morning, but with Chris Sale pushed back to Wednesday, it will likely be a bullpen game for them.
Bargain Bats
Andrew McCutchen ($3,700) has had an average season with his .206 ISO and .330 wOBA. He's still drawing a lot of walks, but his 23.7 percent strikeout rate is the highest mark of his career. On the bright side, he's continued to crush left-handed pitchers with a .328 ISO and a .441 wOBA against them. That could set him up to provide value in a matchup with Patrick Corbin ($7,100), who has a 5.52 FIP and has allowed 2.1 HR/9.
Jake Meyers ($2,600) continues to rack up hits for the Astros. He's currently on a six-game hitting streak and is 22-for-62 (.355) with three home runs and four doubles over his last 16 games. Even though a matchup against Yusei Kikuchi ($8,300) isn't the easiest one out there, Kikuchi has been anything but dominant with his 4.33 ERA and 4.71 FIP.
Stacks to Consider
Nationals vs. Matt Moore ($7,200), Phillies: Juan Soto ($6,000), Josh Bell ($4,400), Keibert Ruiz ($3,800)
Moore is coming off of another disappointing start after allowing four runs over four innings against the Diamondbacks. He allowed nine hitters to reach base in the contest and that's been an issue for him throughout the season given his 1.55 WHIP. The Nationals might not have the deepest of lineups, but they could still exploit this matchup. Ruiz was called up Monday and figures to be one of the centerpieces of the Nationals' rebuilding process. He had a .414 wOBA at the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, then recorded a .400 wOBA with the Nationals' Triple-A squad.
White Sox vs. Bryse Wilson ($6,100), Pirates: Jose Abreu ($5,000), Eloy Jimenez ($4,800), Yoan Moncada ($4,200)
Wilson hasn't pitched well while splitting time between the Braves and the Pirates. He has a 4.93 FIP across 12 starts and has allowed 1.5 HR/9. He's allowed a 9.9 percent barrel rate for his career, which is a big concern for his matchup against the White Sox's powerful lineup. Abreu and Jimenez are two mashers to target while Moncada has been hot in his own right, hitting 18-for-48 (.375) with a .464 OBP over his last 13 games.
Blue Jays vs. Keegan Akin ($5,500), Orioles: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($6,100), Marcus Semien ($5,400), Teoscar Hernandez ($4,600)
Akin finally gave the Orioles some length in his last start, allowing one run over seven innings against the Angels. It's difficult to have much confidence in him, though, given his 1.70 WHIP through 70.2 innings. He's also allowed 13 home runs, so facing the Blue Jays should be a tall order. The lefty on the mound could make Hernandez a key member of any Blue Jays stack given that he has a 193 wRC+ versus southpaws this season.
