This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Wednesday brings another night with playoff implications. The Yankees and Blue Jays will continue their series in Toronto in what has the makings of a great pitching matchup with Gerrit Cole facing Jose Berrios. In fact, the night is loaded with quality pitching options considering Max Scherzer, Max Fried and Carlos Rodon are all scheduled to take the mound. Let's dig into the main DraftKings slate and highlight some players to consider for your entries.
Pitchers
Frankie Montas ($9,400) has been locked in down the stretch, recording a 2.09 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP over his last 11 starts. He posted 78 strikeouts over 69 innings during that stretch, leaving him with a 26.6 percent strikeout rate for the season. In a matchup against a Mariners team that has the fourth-worst OPS in baseball, Montas could finish with another valuable stat line.
Fried ($8,600) is coming off of a masterful performance against the Padres in which he allowed just three hits over nine scoreless innings. He didn't allow a run in either of his last two starts, giving him 14 starts this season in which he has allowed one or no runs. His 1.11 WHIP has been one of the key reasons for his success, along with his 34.2 percent hard-hit rate allowed. More success could be coming for him at home against the Phillies given that he has a career 1.17 WHIP there, compared to a 1.31 WHIP on the road.
Alex Wood ($7,900) only threw 61 pitches in his last start, which was his second appearance since having a bout of COVID-19. He pitched well, allowing two runs and recording seven strikeouts against the Rockies at Coors Field. He should continue to increase his pitch count in a matchup against the Diamondbacks, who have the fifth-lowest OPS in baseball. Also working in Wood's favor is that the game will be played in San Francisco, where he has a 3.24 FIP and 1.08 WHIP this season.
Top Targets
In seasons past, it probably wouldn't be advisable to target hitters against Aaron Nola ($9,500). However, Nola has allowed a career-high 1.3 HR/9 on his way to a 4.64 ERA. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Freddie Freeman ($5,700) capitalize on his struggles. Freeman is having another spectacular season after entering play Tuesday with 31 home runs and a .381 wOBA.
Taijuan Walker ($6,600) has fallen apart during the second half of the season. Over his last 12 starts, he has a 7.74 ERA and has allowed 20 home runs over 57 innings. Wednesday brings a matchup against the Marlins, who don't exactly have an imposing lineup. With that being said, one of their more dangerous hitters to consider targeting is Jazz Chisholm ($5,300), who has shown a power and speed combination with 17 home runs and 22 steals entering Tuesday.
Bargain Bats
Eduardo Escobar ($3,900) isn't exactly flashy with his 105 wRC+. However, he brings power to the plate with his .217 ISO and he's generally a tough out given his career 19.5 percent strikeout rate. At this salary, he could be worth a look against Miles Mikolas ($6,500). Mikolas only has a 17.6 percent strikeout rate for his career and has been even worse in that category this season with a 14.8 percent strikeout rate.
Harrison Bader ($3,200) has caught fire at the right time for the Cardinals. Entering play Tuesday, he was 25-for-63 (.397) with four home runs and nine doubles over his last 17 games. That makes him a potential value play option against Adrian Houser ($8,200), who has a 4.34 FIP that would indicate he hasn't pitched nearly as well as his 3.34 ERA might lead you to believe.
Stacks to Consider
Red Sox vs. Zac Lowther ($5,000), Orioles: Xander Bogaerts ($5,300), Hunter Renfroe ($4,600), Bobby Dalbec ($3,400)
Lowther pitched well in his last start, recording seven strikeouts over five scoreless innings against the Rangers. However, facing the Red Sox's talented lineup will be a much taller order. He's made two appearances against them this season, allowing 10 runs over 5.2 innings. This could be an opportune time to roll with Dalbec. Not only does he have a cheap salary, but he entered play Tuesday 39-for-128 (.305) with 13 home runs and nine doubles since August 1.
Dodgers vs. Ryan Weathers ($6,200), Padres: Max Muncy ($5,600), Trea Turner ($5,600), Corey Seager ($5,600)
The Padres are out of the playoff race and injuries have decimated their starting rotation. Their two best pitchers won't be options to start Wednesday given that Joe Musgrove pitched Sunday and Yu Darvish pitched Tuesday. Weathers has been given the nod, but he hasn't logged more than four innings in an outing since August. That could lead the Dodgers' lineup to score plenty of runs in what should amount to a bullpen game.
Giants vs. Merrill Kelly ($6,400) Diamondbacks: Kris Bryant ($4,900), Brandon Crawford ($5,100), Mike Yastrzemski ($4,200)
Kelly has not pitched poorly this season given his 4.09 FIP and 1.29 WHIP. However, most of his success has come at home, where he has a 3.25 FIP and a 1.15 WHIP. On the road, he has a 5.09 FIP and a 1.45 WHIP. That's where he'll be for this outing against the Giants, who have already faced him twice in San Francisco this season. Across those two starts, Kelly allowed nine runs over eight innings. Any Giants stack should probably be built around Crawford, who had a career-best 141 wRC+ entering Tuesday.
