This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Wednesday's 11-game main slate offers us some high-cost pitchers in less-than-ideal scenarios but we can find at least one arm in the $7,000 range to offset costs. On the offensive side, there exists at least one stack that will likely fly under the radar due to hurler reputation.
Pitching Overview
Gerrit Cole's ($12,200) issues with the home run ball may be a valid concern in certain matchups but it's tough to worry too much about the 28-year-old, who has logged a stunning 37 percent strikeout rate in 163.2 frames. He will take on the Rays, who remain a bottom-half team against right-handed pitching when it comes to ISO (.180).
Max Scherzer ($11,000) threw just 71 pitches in four innings during his return from a back injury last week. While a matchup against the Orioles would be ideal for the former Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer told MLB.com earlier this week that "he's not out of the woods yet" with regards to the injury, which should once again give prospective owners pause before rostering him at this price.
Noah Syndergaard ($10,400) has been downright electric in the month of August, notching a 1.73 ERA in 26 innings. The issue for us is that Syndergaard has only struck out 19 batters over that span and will face the Nationals, who hold a top-10 wOBA against right-handed pitching this year.
The ability to strike batters out and keep the ball in the yard has been a godsend for Jake Odorizzi ($9,400), but his tendency to lose the zone has contributed to a 4.40 xFIP in 25 starts. The White Sox have notched just a .294 wOBA against right-handed pitching to go along with a 26 percent strikeout rate, which should make Odorizzi someone to target Wednesday despite his flaws.
Tanner Roark ($8,400) may not turn heads in DFS circles but his pinpoint control and ability to limit homers have made him a reliable arm in Oakland. He will bring a 3.95 ERA into a matchup against a Royals offense that has kept a bottom-5 wOBA against right-handed pitching in 2019.
Kenta Maeda's ($8,000) profile may not be perfect but it's worth noting that he throws the sixth-most effective slider in the league according to RAA. This is great news for his matchup against the Padres, who currently hold a bottom-5 RAA against the pitch, as well as a 27 percent strikeout rate against right-handed pitching.
Anthony DeSclafani ($7,800) is yet another pitcher who has been vulnerable to the home run ball but we can focus more on his 24 percent strikeout rate for his upcoming matchup against the Marlins, as they hold the lowest ISO in the league against right-handed pitchers (.126).
Key Values
Francisco Lindor ($4,900) has shown a tremendous amount of power against right-handed pitching this year, as we can see from the .258 ISO he has tallied in 314 at-bats. Meanwhile, Jordan Zimmermann has allowed a .513 slugging percentage to right-handed hitters in 38.1 innings.
Jacob Waguespack has thrown the ball a bit better of late but still has trouble against same-handed hitters, against whom he has allowed six homers in 26 innings. Josh Donaldson ($4,500) has been crushing against all comers in 2019, which has resulted in a .269 ISO and .377 wOBA in 465 at-bats.
C.J. Cron ($4,400) has struggled in August but remains an asset against southpaws thanks to the .321 ISO and .410 wOBA he has kept in 106 at-bats. DFS players may shy away from Ross Detwiler after his impressive performance against the Rangers last week, but he still carries a .617 slugging percentage against righty hitters in 32.1 frames.
Kyle Hendricks has had a tough time on the road this season, allowing a .493 slugging percentage in 68 innings. This could help a hitter like Michael Conforto ($4,300) fly under the radar despite the .276 ISO he holds against opposite-handed pitching.
Those looking for a low-cost power option could do far worse than Justin Smoak ($3,800), who has notched a .243 ISO against right-handed pitching in 2019. Mike Foltynewicz has looked good since his recall to the big club but has still allowed 10 homers to lefty hitters in just 38.1 innings.
Stacks
Nationals against Asher Wojciechowski (Orioles)
Matt Adams (1B - $4,400) Asdrubal Cabrera (3B - $4,200) Adam Eaton (OF - $4,800)
Wojciechowski's .587 slugging percentage allowed against left-handed hitters will likely make him a popular stack target Wednesday but we can try to fit in reasonably priced, potentially overlooked assets like Adams, who has logged a .272 ISO against right-handed pitching.
Mets against Kyle Hendricks (Cubs)
Michael Conforto (OF - $4,300) Jeff McNeil (2B/OF - $4,500) J.D. Davis (3B/OF - $3,900)
This qualifies as a bit of a contrarian stack but we can use the knowledge that Hendricks struggles on the road in order to roster moderately priced bats who have the potential to produce big power.
