This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Friday's main evening slate on DraftKings brings us 12 games to sift through. Let's get right to it and highlight some of the best hitters and pitchers to target based on their respective matchups.
Pitchers
After a rare off outing against the Rangers, Gerrit Cole ($11,200) responded by pitching seven shutout innings against the White Sox in his last start. As if his 1.81 ERA this season wasn't impressive enough, his FIP has been even better at 1.71. His strikeout rate is sitting at 38.5 percent, and he's also on pace for a career-best 3.3 percent walk rate. Up next for him is a matchup against the Tigers, who had the fifth-worst OPS in baseball entering Thursday. Despite his hefty salary, Cole is an excellent option.
Another pitcher with a favorable matchup is Hyun Jin Ryu ($8,400), who is set to take the mound against Cleveland. They have the seventh-worst OPS and are sporting an even more depleted lineup now that Franmil Reyes (oblique) is out. That could mean that a big night is coming for Ryu, who has already pitched well considering his 2.53 ERA and 2.98 FIP. He only has a 22.5 percent strikeout rate, however, so he doesn't have nearly the ceiling that Cole does in that category.
If you want to take a chance on a pitcher with a cheap salary in tournament play, then Jordan Lyles ($5,300) might be worth considering. His overall numbers aren't good given his 5.11 FIP and 1.54 WHIP. However, he has allowed three runs or fewer in seven of his 10 starts. He also has a favorable matchup against the Mariners, who have the worst OPS in baseball.
Top Targets
Kris Bubic ($6,500) has a 1.52 ERA through his first six appearances, but don't be fooled, he hasn't pitched that well. His FIP sits at 3.22 and he's been lucky, allowing a .234 BABIP. He has a bloated 12.9 percent walk rate to go along with an 18.3 percent strikeout rate, so the lefty could be in trouble as the season rolls along. This could be a great spot to deploy Nelson Cruz ($5,400), who has a career .400 wOBA against left-handed pitchers.
Trea Turner ($6,000) continues to be one of the staples of the Nationals' lineup, recording a .206 ISO and a .376 wOBA to start the season. While his strikeout rate has increased compared to last season, it's still excellent at 19.8 percent. Expect him to be a tough out for the underwhelming Brett Anderson ($7,500), who has a 5.58 FIP to go along with a 13.6 percent strikeout rate.
Bargain Bats
As low as Bubic's strikeout rate is, Dallas Keuchel ($6,300) has an even lower one at 12.3 percent. That's bad, even by his standards. His 1.99 ERA from last season didn't seem repeatable, and it hasn't been with him recording a 4.28 ERA and a 4.34 FIP across his 10 starts this year. If you want to attack this matchup, both Anthony Santander ($3,000) and Maikel Franco ($3,800) are worth considering.
In need of help at shortstop, the Brewers recently acquired Willy Adames ($3,200) from the Rays. He certainly made his presence felt Thursday, going 4-for-5 with a home run and a double. Don't be surprised if he continues to provide value in his matchup against Jon Lester ($8,100), who had a 5.33 ERA and a 4.95 FIP through his first five starts.
Stacks to Consider
White Sox vs. Matt Harvey ($6,400), Orioles: Jose Abreu ($5,200), Tim Anderson ($5,100), Nick Madrigal ($3,300)
If the Orioles weren't so bad, Harvey might not even be in the league right now. He has a 6.31 ERA through his first 10 starts, although his FIP is certainly better at 4.25. His WHIP is a problem at 1.58, though, and his strikeout rate is just 17.0 percent. That makes him an ideal pitcher to stack against, especially when he is facing a team as dangerous as the White Sox. Anderson sat out Thursday's game with a sore left thumb, but he reportedly should be back in the lineup for this game.
Blue Jays vs. Eli Morgan ($4,600), Indians: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($6,200), Marcus Semien ($5,300), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. ($3,900)
With Cleveland needing reinforcements for their starting rotation, Morgan will make his big-league debut. He's only pitched a total of 18.2 innings at Triple-A in his career, so this will be a significant jump in competition for him. What's also concerning is that he wasn't even overpowering at Double-A, posting a 1.30 WHIP and a 24.1 percent strikeout during his time there in 2019. The Blue Jays could greet him with a rude welcome, especially Guerrero. He has a .328 ISO to go along with a lofty .463 wOBA.
Diamondbacks vs. Johan Oviedo ($7,300), Cardinals: Eduardo Escobar ($4,700), Ketel Marte ($4,400), David Peralta ($4,000)
When Oviedo made the jump to Double-A in 2019, he struggled with a 5.65 ERA and a 4.13 FIP over 23 starts. He's made a total of nine appearances in the majors since last season, and given his struggles at Double-A, his 5.58 ERA and 5.60 FIP with the Cardinals shouldn't come as much of a surprise. He provides a viable opportunity to stack the Diamondbacks, with Escobar being one of their more appealing hitters. While his batting average hasn't been great, he's provided plenty of power at the plate with a .234 ISO entering Thursday.
