DraftKings MLB: Friday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Friday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

Pitcher

Max Scherzer, WAS vs. ATL ($13,200): There are five pitchers with prices that crack the five-figure mark on the main slate, so players will likely need to spend up in at least one of the two slots in order to stay competitive. Scherzer has notched an unbelievable 24.0 RAA with his slider, while the Braves have kept a bottom-10 mark against the pitch.

Cole Hamels, TEX vs. LAA ($7,800): There are real questions regarding the whereabouts of Hamels' strikeout pitch, but it's hard to find a better matchup for him than the Angels on paper. Hamels enters the game having tallied a 4.0 RAA with his cutter, a pitch the Angels have logged a -3.2 RAA against. Players should also note that the Halos are a bottom-5 team against lefties, and hit the ball on the ground at a 49 percent clip.

Catcher

Robinson Chirinos, TEX vs. LAA ($3,600): Chirinos' torrid homerun pace has slowed a bit with regular playing time, but his tremendous power makes him worth a look against Ricky Nolasco, who has allowed a .569 slugging percentage to right-handed hitters. Chirinos holds a .361 ISO against righties to go along with a 41 percent hard contact rate over 83 at-bats.

First Base

Paul Goldschmidt, ARI vs. CIN ($4,900): Goldschmidt has kept a significant reverse split in 2017, notching a .313 ISO and a .452 wOBA against right-handed pitching. Opposing starter Tim Adleman has shown healthy strikeout numbers against righties, but has allowed a 1.7 HR/9 rate as well as a 36 percent hard contact rate over 43 innings.

Second Base

Jose Ramirez, CLE vs. DET ($4,900): Ramirez has been a nightmare for right-handed pitching this season, having logged a .302 ISO over 202 at-bats. Jordan Zimmermann remains a stack target whenever he takes the mound due to his 2.0 HR/9 rate and 39 percent hard contact rate through 92 innings in the first half.

Third Base

Miguel Sano, MIN vs. BAL ($4,600):Kevin Gausman has thrown the ball better of late, but I still view the 26-year-old as a pitcher we can potentially load up on, as he has tallied a -5.0 RAA with his fastball while allowing a .511 slugging percentage to right-handed hitters. Sano has registered an 18.0 RAA against the heater, and has kept a .259 ISO against same-handed opposition.

Shortstop

Trevor Story, COL vs. CWS ($3,900): Story has largely disappointed after his tremendous rookie season, but his .318 ISO against lefty pitching makes him a sneaky play at under $4,000. I find it difficult to believe that Derek Holland will escape Coors Field with anything resembling a decent stat line, as he has kept a 5.70 ERA on the road and a 2.1 HR/9 rate against righties.

Outfield

Brian Goodwin, WAS vs. ATL ($3,400): Goodwin is making the most of his regular playing time, having logged a .239 ISO over 109 at-bats against righties. While he's never faced the knuckleballer before, it doesn't seem as though we have much to fear from R.A. Dickey, who has tallied a -4.0 RAA with his signature pitch.

Jacoby Ellsbury, NYY vs. MIL ($3,500): Ellsbury has spent a significant amount of time on the disabled list this year, making it easy to forget that he has amassed a 6.0 RAA against the fastball over 171 at-bats. Meanwhile, Junior Guerra's below average walk and strikeout rates have contributed to a 6.12 xFIP against lefty hitters.

Giancarlo Stanton, MIA at SF ($4,400): Stanton has done his best work against lefties this season, notching a .371 ISO over 62 at-bats. Matt Moore has actually been hit the hardest by same-handed batters, but has still allowed a .455 slugging percentage and a 37 percent hard contact rate to his opposite hand.

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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