This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
The season is winding down and that's seen in Friday night's pitching slate. There isn't one hands-down option so there should be a good variety of selections in cash games, which usually makes things more fun.
PITCHING
If you normally spend on a pitcher, there aren't a ton of ways to go. Walker Buehler ($10,200) may be in the best spot against the Giants, who have a 25.1 K% and .265 wOBA against righties in September. While he can put in huge outings, he has just six strikeouts in his last 11 innings pitched. James Paxton ($9,800) may be the safer option having given up 11 hits in his last four starts. He also had 67 fantasy points against the Rangers a month ago and they haven't gotten better since.
In the next level, Anthony DeSclafani ($8,400) has at least 30 fantasy points in four of his last five starts and has the matchup to do that again as the Pirates have a .287 wOBA against righty arms this month. You never know what to expect from Mike Fiers ($8,300), but he got on track last start, allowing two hits in eight innings and is at least worth a try. The Mariners are near the bottom of the charts against righty hurlers with a 29.1 K% and .277 OBP in the last month. Some will look to Jose Urquidy ($7,000) because he's a large favorite, but Eric Lauer ($7,700) is a better bet for more Ks and more innings. He had 43 fantasy points against the Diamondbacks last outing and that was with four walks and six hits allowed. Arizona owns a 25.0 K% and .302 wOBA against southpaws in the last month.
Vince Velasquez ($7,600) isn't a terrible play even with a 4.77 ERA. He has at least five strikeouts in his last five starts and while the Marlins have hit somewhat better of late, they have a .310 wOBA against righties this month. Alec Mills ($6,800) struck out six Cardinals last start in 4.2 innings and if he's given a few more pitches, could be a decent play. I don't hate gambling on Steven Brault ($5,900), mostly because the Reds can't hit lefties with a 28.1 K% and .303 OBP in the last month.
KEY VALUES/CHALK
The first place to look for chalk is Coors Field with a couple righties on the mound. Nolan Arenado ($4,500) is expensive for a reason, while Garrett Hampson ($3,700) has quietly put in a .397 OBP in his last 68 plate appearances against righty hurlers. The numbers aren't as good for Ryan McMahon ($3,600) and Daniel Murphy ($3,200), but they are lefties going against a righty at Coors. You can find more value with the Brewers led by Yasmani Grandal ($3,800), sporting a .393 OBP against righty arms in his last 112 PA. Lefty Trent Grisham ($3,200) also has relevant numbers with a .340 OBP and .169 ISO in his last 100 PA against righties.
Eric Skoglund held the Twins to three hits in four innings last start, but there's no reason to trust him against this lineup. I'd go straight to Mitch Garver ($3,300) at a nice rate with a .375 ISO in his last 48 PA against southpaws. C.J. Cron ($3,100) and Jonathan Schoop ($2,900) can also be used if you want a value stack. The Astros will get similar love against Patrick Sandoval, though it's worth noting he has better numbers at home, allowing a .294 OBP to 69 batters faced. At the least, Yuli Gurriel ($3,300) and Robinson Chirinos ($2,900) come at decent value.
Opposite of Sandoval, Justus Sheffield has been worse at home, allowing a .390 OBP to 100 batters faced. The A's also have a bit more value, though I'd only stack them if Khris Davis ($3,000) overcomes a stomach bug. He's missed the last two games and leads the team with a .500 OBP and .308 ISO in his last 50 PA against lefties. Asher Wojciechowski has surprisingly good numbers against the Red Sox in two starts, but he's allowing multiple runs every outing and a .382 wOBA to lefty bats. That points to cheaper lefties Andrew Benintendi ($3,000) and Brock Holt ($2,600), with the latter homering against Wojciechowski earlier in the season.
STACKS
Yankees vs. Joe Palumbo (Yankees)
(3B DJ LeMahieu - $3,900), (OF Aaron Judge - $4,500), (C Austin Romine - $2,700)
Palumbo is getting the start with hopes of winning a spot in the rotation next year. Unfortunately, he has to go against the Yankees, who have a .235 ISO against lefty arms in the last month. Palumbo has been fine in a reserve role, though is allowing a .471 OBP to 52 batters faced at home. If Romine starts, this stack isn't too expensive and he has a .536 OBP in his last 28 PA against southpaws. Judge and LeMahieu are the power bats along with OBPs above .450 in the last month against lefty pitchers.
Orioles vs. Nathan Eovaldi (Red Sox)
(OF Dwight Smith - $3,000), (C Chance Sisco - $2,400), (OF Stevie Wilkerson - $2,100)
Eovaldi gets the call at home where he's allowing a .403 wOBA, as well as 3.38 HR/9 to lefty bats. Every bat in this lefty stack has an OBP above .345 in the last month against righties. Smith is hoping to close the season on a good note and has a .412 OBP in his last 35 PA against righty arms.
Phillies vs. Pablo Lopez (Marlins)
(2B Cesar Hernandez - $2,500), (OF Bryce Harper - $4,200), (3B Brad Miller - $2,300)
Lopez has allowed 11 runs in his last three starts to go with a .353 wOBA allowed to lefty bats and .366 wOBA allowed on the road. The Phillies are losing, but still have a decent core of lefty bats. Harper is the clear play, but Hernandez has a similar OBP, while Miller has made solid contact with a .444 ISO in his last 57 PA. Adam Haseley is another value option with a .356 OBP in his last 91 PA against righty arms.
