DraftKings MLB: Friday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Friday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

Pitcher

Justin Verlander, DET at CWS ($11,900): Verlander appears to be experiencing a renaissance, as he has notched a 2.48 ERA and a 30.6 percent strikeout rate over 29 innings in August. The former Cy Young Award winner has notched a 22.0 RAA with his fastball this season, while the White Sox rate as the third worst team in the league against the pitch. Verlander's tendency to allow home runs has led to an inflated ERA on the road, but it's worth noting that the White Sox carry a bottom-10 ISO at home.

Adam Conley, MIA vs. SD ($7,900): I have alternated between selecting and stacking against Conley in the past few weeks, but it may be time to ride with him again for the matchup with the Padres, a team that has logged the second lowest wOBA in the league against left-handed pitching. While I certainly don't expect the 11-strikeout performance we saw in his last outing against the Mets, Conley should be able to keep things under control with his slider, as the Friars are a bottom-3 team versus the pitch according to RAA.

Catcher

Chris Iannetta, ARI vs. SF ($3,500):Ty Blach's extreme pitch-to-contact style has led to predictable results on the road, where he has allowed a .537 slugging percentage and a 5.50 ERA over 54 innings. Iannetta has swung the bat well against lefties in 2017, tallying a .275 ISO and a .409 wOBA in 51 at-bats.

First Base

Justin Smoak, TOR vs. MIN ($4,400):Bartolo Colon has found a way to be serviceable lately despite throwing a fastball worth -29.0 RAA. The 44-year-old has allowed six homers in his last two outings, which doesn't bode well for him in the matchup against Smoak, who has logged a 19.6 RAA against the heater to go along with a .277 ISO against righties.

Second Base

Paul DeJong, STL vs. TB ($4,500): Opposition starter Jake Odorizzi has had a harrowing last two months in the Rays rotation, allowing 25 runs (24 earned) while striking out just 26 batters over 34 innings. DeJong has mashed indiscriminately since his call to the big club in May, and now owns a .273 ISO through 74 games.

Third Base

Luis Valbuena, LAA vs. HOU ($3,500): Valbuena has been one of the most dangerous hitters in the league since the All-Star break, as evidenced by his remarkable .425 ISO over 80 at-bats. Houston starter Collin McHugh's strikeout rate gets cut in half against lefties (14.3 percent), which has contributed to a 5.48 xFIP over 14.1 innings.

Shortstop

Tim Beckham, BAL at BOS ($4,400): Beckham hasn't slowed since being acquired by the Orioles at the trade deadline, having tallied a .295 ISO and a .481 wOBA over 95 at-bats in August. Rick Porcello has registered a -8.9 RAA with his fastball while allowing a 37 percent hard contact rate against right-handed hitters.

Outfield

Gerardo Parra, COL at ATL ($4,600):Julio Teheran has been torched at SunTrust Park this season, allowing 58 runs (53 earned) over 68.1 innings. Parra has found a home in the Colorado lineup, notching a .202 ISO and a 41.4 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching in 213 at-bats.

Marwin Gonzalez, HOU at LAA ($3,500): Gonzalez has cooled off a bit in August, but DFS players should be happy to find a reduced price for a hitter who has tallied a 24.2 RAA against the fastball in 2017. Parker Bridwell has enjoyed success overall in his first season with the Angels but has allowed a .477 slugging percentage and a 37 percent hard contact rate against lefty hitters.

Khris Davis, OAK vs. TEX ($3,900): Davis comes with deficiencies but has shown tremendous power against right-handers this season, logging a .302 ISO over 367 at-bats. Nick Martinez has pitched well at Triple-A Round Rock this season, but has allowed a 2.3 HR/9 rate over 46.1 innings against righties while with the Rangers.

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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