This late in the MLB season, setting daily fantasy baseball lineups has become ingrained into players' routines. Gamers have hit the daily grind for over four months, and plenty of days remain to boost that bankroll.
Well accustomed to the procedure, readers don't need a lengthy introduction this late in the year. Let's jump right into Friday night's top DraftKings picks, beginning with a top-tier ace and ending with a bargain-bin outfielder, as usual.
SP Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians ($10,600) at Minnesota
Five days ago, Corey Kluber flirted with a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins, allowing one run during a complete-game gem decorated with 10 strikeouts. Anybody worried about the American League Cy Young Award winner's ups and downs should instead gaze at his 2.54 fielding independent pitching (FIP) and 22.3 strikeouts-minus-walks percentage.
As noted by ESPN Stats & Info, he has made double-digit strikeout outings a fairly regular event:
Sunday's gem was no fluke; Minnesota places in the bottom 10 of weighted on-base average (wOBA) against righties. Meanwhile, David Price gets a New York Yankees lineup loaded with power despite its recent slumber, and Max Scherzer costs a monumental $14,600 against the heavily underrated San Francisco Giants.
SP Robbie Ray, Arizona Diamondbacks ($7,500) at Atlanta
Armed with a 3.13 ERA, 3.17 FIP and 22.2 strikeout percentage, Robbie Ray faces an Atlanta Braves offense with a .281 wOBA against lefties. Feeling the loss of Freddie Freeman, Atlanta is hitting .241/.290/.343 after the All-Star break with baseball's second-worst wOBA (.277).
Ray's 41.7 fly-ball percentage hovers a tad too high for comfort, but at least the 23-year-old rookie gets away from Chase Field. His $7,500 price tag makes him a tremendous complement to Kluber.
2B/3B Jedd Gyorko, San Diego Padres ($4,000) at Colorado
This weekend, the San Diego Padres hitters are like kids raised without sugar staying at their friends' house full of candy and soda. Liberated from Petco Park, they'll get a sweet taste of the hitting-friendly Coors Field.
Not only does Jedd Gyorko upgrade from atrocious (.572 OPS) to average (.718) outside of Petco, he morphs into a dangerous slugger versus southpaws:
As a result, someone with a .287 wOBA and 25.5 strikeout percentage costs $4,000 against left-handed pitcher Yohan Flande. Pay the tall price.
1B/OF Ben Paulsen, Colorado Rockies ($3,200) vs. San Diego
Everyone playing at Coors Field received the accompanying price bump except Ben Paulsen, who remains an affordable $3,200 despite hitting .330/.392/.589 at home. He also holds a .375 wOBA against righties, so take the discount, even against Tyson Ross.
OF Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers ($4,700) vs. Philadelphia
Don't feel like shelling out more than $5,000 for Nelson Cruz or an outfielder playing in Coors? Luckily for you, Ryan Braun brings a .404 wOBA against lefties into a bout with Adam Morgan, who yields a .496 slugging percentage to righties.
Even after his last promising start, the Philadelphia Phillies starter doesn't inspire much fear with a 5.18 FIP. While quietly looking closer to the top slugger of old, Braun has also regained his stride with 18 stolen bases, putting him in a race with Paul Goldschmidt and Justin Upton for the first to lock down a 20/20 campaign.
OF Preston Tucker, Houston Astros ($3,300) vs. Detroit
After an auspicious yet suspicious opening two months, Alfredo Simon has taken a massive beating. The veteran has relinquished 53 runs in 66 innings since June 1, recording one quality start along the way. His chances against the homer-happy Houston Astros aren't good.
Opposing lefties hit .303/.366/.540 off him with a dozen of his 14 homers allowed. Preston Tucker, who has a .380 wOBA and 11 homers through 199 plate appearances against righties, will love this matchup. So will DraftKings players who roster the outfielder for a mere $3,300.
Note: All advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs.
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