This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Wednesday's nine-game main slate features some of the best pitchers in the league at the top of the bill, making who we select as our secondary option very important. On the hitting side, we have two reasonably priced stacks we can use to attempt to exploit mediocre arms.
Pitching
Jacob deGrom, NYM at PHI ($10,400): Prospective owners shouldn't need a recommendation from me to roster deGrom, but the right-hander has been so good that it's simply hard to leave him off of this list. DeGrom will enter Wednesday's contest having notched a 1.47 ERA and a 38 percent strikeout rate in nine starts. He is worth every bit of his salary, having tallied at least 24 DraftKings points in each of his last five starts, and eclipsing 30 points in three of those outings. This includes an early September start against the Phillies that saw him strike out 12 batters in seven innings while allowing just one run.
Dylan Bundy, LAA vs. ARI ($9,100): To say Bundy has turned a corner in 2020 would be a gross understatement, as the 27-year-old has logged a 2.58 ERA and a 29 percent strikeout rate in his nine starts this year. The D-Backs have kept their strikeout numbers somewhat in check but still hold a bottom-5 mark against right-handed pitching this season. As I alluded to in the open, there are no fewer than four pitchers capable of putting up 30 or more points on Monday. I am happy to select the cheapest one, as Bundy's upside is comparable to those priced above him.
Brady Singer, KC at DET ($6,200): Singer's 4.66 ERA may make some DFS players hesitant to roster him Wednesday, but he has been a different pitcher on the road, where he has allowed just a .276 wOBA in 33.2 frames. The Tigers remain one of the worst-hitting teams against right-handed pitching this season, as evidenced by the .292 wOBA they have kept in nearly 1,300 plate appearances.
Top Hitters
DJ LeMahieu, NYY vs. TOR ($5,500): Things have not gone well for Tanner Roark in 2020. How bad has it been? The right-hander has allowed an astronomical .797 slugging percentage against same-handed opposition this season, while only accruing double-digit DraftKings points in two of his eight outings. LeMahieu's ISO (.200) against righty pitchers may seem a bit low for someone at this price, but he makes up for that with a .406 wOBA in 115 at-bats.
Jose Ramirez, CLE at CHC ($5,400): Ramirez has absolutely crushed the ball against left-handed pitching this season, logging a .500(!) ISO against his opposite hand in 44 at-bats. Meanwhile, Jon Lester has allowed nine homers against righty batters while striking out just 30 in 40 innings.
Jose Abreu, CWS vs. MIN ($5,200): Abreu has been unconscious against left-handed pitching in 2020, but we shouldn't overlook the work he's done against righties. He will enter Wednesday's game having notched a .284 ISO and .411 wOBA against same-handed opposition. Jake Odorizzi hasn't thrown the ball since being sidelined with an abdominal injury in late August, but righty bats had unloaded on him to the tune of an .815 slugging percentage in 5.2 frames prior to the ailment.
Best Values
Adam Duvall, ATL at BAL ($4,300): Duvall's month of September thus far has been the stuff of legend. The 32-year-old holds a .585 ISO to go along with a .486 wOBA in 53 at-bats this month. Keegan Akin has shown some promise, but his big strikeout rate comes with an inflated 13 percent walk rate. This has contributed to a 6.23 xFIP in 9.1 innings against right-handed hitters.
Hunter Dozier, KC at DET ($4,000): Dozier's .750 wOBA against left-handed pitching this season is based on far too small of a sample to get excited about (10 at-bats), but those who wish to roster him should take comfort in the fact that dominance against southpaws is nothing new for the 29-year-old. Dozier finished 2019 sporting a .265 ISO and a .376 wOBA against southpaws. Tarik Skubal has been tattooed by right-handed bats this year, as we can see by the .608 slugging percentage he has allowed in 13 innings.
Ryan Mountcastle, BAL vs. ATL ($3,300): Mountcastle has been tearing the cover off the ball of late, registering a .250 ISO and a .450 wOBA in 44 at-bats this month. It's difficult to know what to expect from Cole Hamels as he gets set to make his season debut after returning from a triceps injury, but Mountcastle is cheap and productive enough to make for an intriguing punt play we can use against Hamels as he knocks off the rust.
Stacks to Consider
Yankees against Tanner Roark: DJ LeMahieu ($5,500) Clint Frazier ($4,400) Giancarlo Stanton ($4,400)
DraftKings has made sure that there aren't many steals to be had in a Yankees' stack Wednesday, but Frazier and Stanton still represent value at their current prices. Frazier has logged a strong .413 wOBA against right-handed pitching in 70 at-bats, while Stanton will bring a .235 ISO against righties into the box as he plays his first game in over a month after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Braves against Keegan Akin: Marcell Ozuna ($4,700) Adam Duvall ($4,400) Ozzie Albies ($4,500)
Ozuna has been one of the most productive hitters in the league against left-handed pitching, logging a .572 ISO to go along with a .559 wOBA in 35 at-bats. Albies hasn't had many at-bats against southpaws this year but finished 2019 with a .295 ISO against left-handers.
