This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
There are no weather worries for Tuesday's 15-game slate, only making roster building harder. The pitching options are slim, but the top three arms are all worth a look, which could mean that Max Scherzer isn't complete chalk at his lofty price.
PITCHING
There are only three pitchers above $10,000, which means you'll have to go much cheaper if you want to fade Max Scherzer ($12,400). There are few reasons to do that, though, since he's hit at least 32 fantasy points in his last four starts. Oddly, his last down outing came against the Marlins (6 IP, 6 K, 18.7 points). It's still hard not to like him as Miami has a 24.3 K% and .299 wOBA against righties in June.
Gerrit Cole ($11,500) and Shane Bieber ($10,800) are also in the mix and both have the same upside as Scherzer, but are much more inconsistent. Bieber is allowing runs every start, yet that may not be an issue against the Royals, who have a 23.9 K% and league-worst .278 wOBA against righty arms this month. Cole has had some favorable matchups, but that's not the case Tuesday as the Pirates have roasted righty pitchers in June with a .350 wOBA and solid 17.2 K%.
Everyone else is a bit of a mystery and unreliable. David Price ($8,800) has nice upside, but could easily pitch five innings and allow a few runs. If you want boom-or-bust, Kyle Gibson ($8,500) is a little easier to trust, though his upside is a bit less. Still, the Rays have struggled in June against righties with a 25.0 K% and .146 ISO. Logan Allen ($8,100) should also draw attention after going seven scoreless innings against the Brewers in his first start. The Orioles hit southpaws better, but a .305 wOBA in the last month is below average.
There are cheaper options if you want to focus on matchups. Max Fried ($6,700) is inconsistent, but 20 fantasy points is a good projection against the Cubs, who have a league-high 28.2 K% against lefties in the last month. Jesse Chavez ($5,300) could be a chalk value play against the Tigers, who have a 25.4 K% and .285 wOBA against righty hurlers in June. The problem with Chavez is that he hasn't thrown more than 60 pitches in an appearance this season, though most of those have come as an opener or reliever.
KEY VALUES/CHALK
The Yankees will probably be one of the chalkier plays, but I'm not sold on going all in with them due to a .299 OBP and .295 wOBA in the last month against southpaws. Clayton Richard has allowed 18 runs in his last three starts so it's still plenty reasonable to spend on Gary Sanchez ($5,600) or save a few on Aaron Judge ($4,700) or even Aaron Hicks ($4,000). In a similar mold, it's a safe bet to go against Jordan Zimmermann and his .373 OBP allowed to lefty bats in his seven starts. Joey Gallo ($4,900) could return Tuesday and is the ideal option, though Texas still has a string of lefties to use.
As usual, the Rockies game should feature runs, especially with Chi Chi Gonzalez on the mound, who has a 5.66 ERA in 14 Triple-A starts. The Giants are hitting better than earlier in the season and provide decent value. Alex Dickerson ($3,800) could be the chalk option, while Brandon Belt ($3,700) and Stephen Vogt ($3,700) lead the team with OBPs above .350 in the last month against righty arms. I'm also fine going against Madison Bumgarner and his .348 wOBA allowed to righties this season. Ian Desmond ($4,300) makes the most sense because of price and a .500 OBP and .417 ISO in his last 38 plate appearances against lefty arms.
If you want to go against pitchers who were rocked last outing, there are a few routes to go. Trevor Williams allowed seven runs to the lowly Tigers last start and now he gets the Astros. Yordan Alvarez ($4,900) has been hottest of the bunch with a .415 OBP in his last 41 PA against righties, while Tyler White ($3,200) is the value play with a .409 OBP in his last 66. Blake Snell has also slipped up, allowing nine runs with eight walks in his last 3.2 innings. The Twins aren't as potent against southpaws, but Nelson Cruz ($4,600) and Miguel Sano ($4,200) are a nice one-two of righties. You could also look to Philly lefties against Walker Lockett, who gave up six runs in his 2.1-inning debut.
If you're looking for homers, Jack Flaherty has a 2.25 HR/9 allowed to lefty bats, while Andrew Heaney has given up seven to 107 batters faced. That means lefties on the A's (Matt Olson, $4,100) and anyone on the Reds, though Yasiel Puig ($4,400) is roping.
STACKS
Dodgers vs. Robbie Ray (Diamondbacks)
(OF Alex Verdugo - $4,000), (3B Jacob Turner - $3,900), (OF/SS Chris Taylor - $4,000)
Ray has struggled a bit in recent outings, allowing 10 runs and five homers in his last three. He has decent numbers against the Dodgers, but I'd like to test his confidence. Cody Bellinger ($5,600) is the GPP choice in a lefty-lefty matchup, though I went with a string of righties. This stack isn't too overwhelming in price and they all have solid OBPs in the last month against southpaws, highlighted by Taylor's .409 mark.
Rangers vs. Jordan Zimmermann (Tigers)
(OF Shin-Soo Choo - $4,900), (2B/OF Danny Santana - $5,000), (OF Nomar Mazara - $4,600)
Zimmermann is back from the DL and that may not be a good thing for the Tigers after he gave up three runs in four innings in his return start. If Gallo starts, he's a must in the stack, but you can still grab a few other lefty bats. Santana is the best power play with a .358 ISO in his last 57 PA against righties, while Choo and Mazara are better at getting on base. If you need to save cash, Ronald Guzman ($3,400) has a .361 OBP in his last 72 PA against righty arms.
Mariners vs. Zach Davies (Brewers)
(OF Mallex Smith - $4,800), (SS J.P. Crawford - $4,300), (OF Danny Santana - $5,000)
Davies is another guy that's struggling, failing to go more than five innings in his last three starts, including nine hits and five runs allowed to the Padres last time out. He has a 12.4 K% and .364 wOBA against lefty hitters, which Seattle can capitalize against. There aren't too many cheap ways to go with this stack, but Kyle Seager ($4,100) and Dee Gordon ($4,000) at least save some money. Otherwise, everyone in the trio listed has nice consistency and power, especially with Smith coming around. Daniel Vogelbach ($4,900) and Omar Narvaez ($4,800) are fellow lefties in play. Needless to say, it could be another short outing for Davies.
