DraftKings MLB: Friday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Friday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

Pitcher

Luis Castillo, CIN at PIT ($9.500): Both pitchers in this contest are potential selections, but I am going with Castillo in large part due to his extreme groundball rate, as the Pirates have kept the ball on the ground at a 46.7 percent clip. It is also worth noting that Pittsburgh has notched a bottom-5 mark against right-handers this season according to wOBA.

Jack Flaherty, STL at SF ($6,700): There are a number of inherent risks that come with selecting a pitcher making his major league debut, but Flaherty won't have to do very much to return value against the Giants, who hold the lowest wOBA in the league against right-handed pitching. The prospect has tallied a combined 2.18 ERA with 147 strikeouts over 148.2 innings in time split between Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis this season.

Catcher

Chris Iannetta, ARI at COL ($3,500): Iannetta has flown under the radar against lefties this season, as he has tallied a .237 ISO and a .421 wOBA against his opposite hand over 59 at-bats. Kyle Freeland has thrown the ball well, but owns just a 59:47 K/BB ratio against right-handed hitters over 106.2 innings, which has contributed to an xFIP approaching 5.00.

First base

Logan Morrison, TB at CWS ($4,400): Opposition starter Reynaldo Lopez has been knocked around in his only two starts with the big club this season, allowing eight runs and seven walks over 10.1 innings. The 23-year-old will be returning from the disabled list without the benefit of a rehab start, which could make him an easy target for a hitter like Morrison, who has logged a .295 ISO against right-handed pitchers over 332 at-bats.

Second Base

Neil Walker, MIL vs. WAS ($3,500):Tanner Roark has allowed a .473 slugging percentage against left-handed hitters in 2017 while keeping a groundball rate of 49 percent. Walker has tallied a .191 ISO against righties and should be able to get the lift necessary to do damage against Roark, as he has hit the ball in the air at a 42.4 percent clip.

Third Base

Mike Moustakas, KC at MIN ($3,800): It's unfortunate that we don't have more quality lefties to take advantage of Dillon Gee, who has allowed a .541 slugging percentage over 14.1 innings this season. Moustakas should be considered a bargain when he can be owned for less than $4,000 against a righty, as he has registered a .290 ISO and a .370 wOBA through 341 at-bats.

Shortstop

Didi Gregorius, NYY vs. BOS ($3,900):Doug Fister has a knack for keeping the ball on the ground, but that may work against him in the matchup against Gregorius, who has notched a 42.6 percent fly ball rate this season. Fister has allowed a 1.6 HR/9 rate against his opposite hand, while Gregorius has notched a .228 ISO against righties over 312 at-bats.

Outfield

Giancarlo Stanton, MIA vs. PHI ($5,600): Stanton won't come cheap, but there are some unique advantages that come with selecting him against Nick Pivetta, who has allowed a .642 slugging percentage against same-handed hitters over 51.1 innings. The 24-year-old has registered a -12.0 RAA with his fastball this season, which should give Stanton a leg up in his quest to break the 60-home run barrier, as his 28.6 RAA against the heater ranks as the fourth highest mark in the league among qualified hitters.

Khris Davis, OAK at SEA ($4,000):Mike Leake has allowed a 34.7 percent hard contact rate against right-handed hitters this season and has kept the ball on the ground at a 54.5 percent clip. Davis has feasted on right-handed pitching, tallying a .305 ISO, while also sporting a 42.7 percent fly ball rate.

Max Kepler, MIN vs. KC ($4,200): Kepler will bring his 11.0 RAA against the fastball into the matchup with Jason Hammel, whose heater has registered a -3.2 RAA this season. The lefty isn't known for his power but has notched a .234 ISO against opposite-handed pitchers.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Christopher Olson plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: Sommerset, FanDuel: Christop, Yahoo: Martins.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christopher Olson
Christopher Olson writes DFS articles and blogs for a variety of sports including MLB, NFL and MMA. Follow him on Twitter @RealChrisOlson
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