This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
If you want to throw all of your money at pitching, Jacob deGrom ($13,200) has been posting record numbers and is close to a guarantee for 30 fantasy points against the Braves. There is some worry for rain in New York, but at less than 50 percent, deGrom should be good to go. Instead of taking the easy route, I went with another pitcher that's been on fire, albeit in a difficult situation.
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PITCHER
German Marquez, COL vs. PHI ($10,200): While deGrom is rightly getting all of the praise, Marquez has quietly been a force for the Rockies and pitching at Coors Field doesn't change that as he has at least 20 fantasy points in nine of his last 10 starts. Since a rocky June, he hasn't given up more than three runs in any home start and has double-digit strikeouts in four of his last five outings. He should be near that total as the Phillies have a 22.6 K% against righties in the last month and a 24.3 K% in the last two weeks.
GPP Fade: Masahiro Tanaka, NYY at TB ($9,500):Chris Sale ($11,100) is the obvious choice since he's on a pitch count, but he may end up with more fantasy points than Tanaka. The righty hurler was pitching well until he faced the Red Sox and he also gave up nine hits when he saw the Rays a month ago. Tampa has bashed righty pitchers with a .221 ISO and .376 wOBA in September.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Jake Odorizzi, MIN vs. DET ($7,900): Most of the cheap options on this slate are unreliable so it's best to go against a team that can't hit. Odorizzi has been fine in his starts against the Tigers and managed 23.3 fantasy points against them last week. There's at least potential for a huge outing as the Tigers have a 24.4 K% and .304 wOBA in the last month against righties.
CATCHER
Francisco Cervelli, PIT at CHC ($3,700): It's not a good thing for the Pirates, but Cervelli has been their best bat against southpaws with a .500 OBP in his last 44 plate appearances to go with a .346 wOBA for the season. Jose Quintana was blown up by the White Sox for five runs and nine hits last time out and has a 4.51 xFIP and .326 wOBA against righty bats.
FIRST BASE
Jay Bruce, NYM vs. PIT ($3,500): There's some value with Bruce because it's a lefty-lefty matchup, but the numbers support him as three of his last six homers have come against lefties and he has a .342 OBP in his last 38 plate appearances (includes the 3 HR). As for Sean Newcomb, his numbers are similar against both sides of the plate and has a slightly worse .317 wOBA allowed to lefty bats in the last two years.
SECOND BASE
Travis Shaw, MIL at STL ($4,500): Shaw is all about power with 30 of his 31 home runs against righty arms as seen in a .293 ISO and .377 wOBA. John Gant was cruising earlier in the season, but is having placement issues with 13 walks in his last four starts and he didn't make it more the 4.1 innings in three of those. His 4.98 xFIP against lefties is also enticing for Shaw.
THIRD BASE
Matt Chapman, OAK at SEA ($4,400): This is Felix Hernandez's last start of the season and it could be an ugly one because not only is he going against the A's, but he also has a sore hammy and missed his last start. His .332 wOBA allowed to righties should help Chapman, who has roasted righty arms this year with a .266 ISO and .383 wOBA. Chapman is best used in GPP since he doesn't have a hit in 11 career at-bats against Hernandez, but as seen in the numbers, that could change.
SHORTSTOP
Marcus Semien, OAK at SEA ($3,800): Semien is another play against Hernandez and his career stats support that with four homers and 14 hits in 41 career at-bats against the veteran pitcher. Hernandez has given up at least one homer in each of his last six starts and a 4.49 xFIP against righty bats is also troublesome after he gave up four runs in five innings against the A's earlier in the month.
OUTFIELD
David Dahl, COL vs. PHI ($4,800): Dahl is the play if you don't have money to spend on other Colorado bats. He's raking righties at home with a .341 ISO and .438 wOBA against them. Nick Pivetta doesn't have a quality outing since August and gave up six runs when he faced the Rockies back in June, and that came in Philly. With a .336 wOBA allowed to lefty bats, it could be another short outing for Pivetta.
Franmil Reyes, SD at SF ($3,400): Reyes has gone slightly under the radar playing for the Padres, but he's been solid against righties with a .364 OBP is his last 66 plate appearances. Casey Kelly has two starts this year and both of them came in the middle of August, allowing 16 hits in 10.1 innings.
Chris Shaw, SF vs. SD ($3,500): I wanted to point out one Giant in this matchup because it's almost a must to go against Luis Perdomo whenever he's on the mound with a career .368 wOBA allowed to lefty bats. Shaw doesn't bring anything special to the table outside of being a lefty that has successfully gotten on base in his last eight games.
