This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Justin Verlander is in action Tuesday night, but it's not a must to get him in the squad with a good range of options near the top. In fact, the amount of other viable pitchers at the same price could lead to Verlander being a reasonable GPP route. Either way, there's no need to worry about the weather.
PITCHING
Justin Verlander ($12,800) may be the most sure thing, but his price is a bit high and there are other arms who could hit similar numbers. Yet while Verlander hasn't topped 29 fantasy points in three of his last four starts, he struck out 12 Rangers last meeting in July. You could save a few on Yu Darvish ($11,200), who has been as consistent with at least 30 points in three of his last five outings. The Reds have also slipped with a 23.9 K% and .303 OBP against righties in the last month. Patrick Corbin ($10,800) has been consistent, but his upside has been capped due to a lack of strikeouts. I'd rather bank on Lucas Giolito ($10,600) in a more difficult spot. He's allowing runs, but still striking out a ton, which has helped his floor stay around 20 points almost every start. The last time he pitched in Minnesota, he hit 51.5 fantasy points with 12 strikeouts in a complete game. If you prefer a better matchup, Chris Paddack ($10,200) gets an injury-hampered Brewers team who have a 25.9 K% in the last month against righty arms.
Adam Plutko ($7,700) could be a popular cash play given the matchup. He struggled in his first two starts against the Tigers, but had 29.8 fantasy points against them a few weeks ago. Detroit also has a league-worst 28.4 K% against righty hurlers in the last month. The other matchup play is Nathan Eovaldi ($7,200) and while he may only pitch five innings, that's good enough for 20 points. The Giants have been brutal with a 25.4 K% and .265 wOBA against righties over the last month. Trent Thornton ($7,100) has struck out 17 in his last three and should be viable against the Orioles with their .284 wOBA versus righties in the last month.
Stretching further, Marco Gonzales ($6,300) and Martin Perez ($5,900) are worthy of consideration. Perez is the favorite, but Gonzales has the better matchup. Gonzales also has some upside, hitting 24 points in two of his last four and Pittsburgh has a .310 wOBA against southpaws since the beginning of August. The worry is that Gonzales has been terrible on the road, so if you go that route, consider his .350 wOBA allowed.
KEY VALUES/CHALK
As usual, a lot of cash lineups will be built around the game in Coors Field. The Mets are the better option, which I cover in stacks, but the Rockies are always worth a play when at home. Marcus Stroman doesn't have as bad of numbers as Tim Melville, but he's still allowing a .343 wOBA to lefty bats and that number likely goes up at Coors. Outside of Charlie Blackmon ($5,300), there's decent value in Daniel Murphy ($4,400), Ryan McMahon ($4,200), Raimel Tapia ($3,500) and Tony Wolters ($3,200).
The Red Sox should be just as popular against Logan Webb, who has allowed 15 hits and 11 runs in his last two starts. Xander Bogaerts ($5,000) and Mitch Moreland ($4,200) have the best numbers in the last month, and if Brock Holt ($3,400) starts, he has a .434 OBP in his last 53 plate appearances against righties. It's almost the same situation for the Braves against Vince Velasquez, who is allowing a wOBA above .340 to both sides of the plate. Nick Markakis ($4,100) is back and fairly cheap with a .480 OBP in 24 career plate appearances against Velasquez. Matt Joyce is at the same price with a .494 OBP in his last 79 PA against righties.
The A's are blasting righty pitchers with a .367 wOBA in the last month and Jorge Lopez gave up five runs in 1.2 innings against them a few weeks ago. He's allowing a .392 OBP to lefties so it's best to look there with Matt Olson ($5,000) at the top of the list followed by value options Robbie Grossman ($3,600) and Jurickson Profar ($3,600).
STACKS
Mets vs. Tim Melville (Rockies)
(2B/OF Jeff McNeil - $5,500), (2B Robinson Cano - $4,700), (OF Brandon Nimmo - $4,500)
It's another start for Melville at home where he has a .471 OBP allowed with a brutal .609 OBP allowed to 23 lefties faced. You could fade the Mets, but I don't want to ignore those numbers. Cano and Nimmo have both been solid in returns from injury while McNeil has a .271 ISO in his last 64 PA against righty hurlers.
Indians vs. Spencer Turnbull (Indians)
(SS Francisco Lindor - $4,800), (1B Carlos Santana - $4,300), (OF Greg Allen - $3,500)
Turnbull is giving up four runs almost every start so it only makes sense to back the Indians. He's struggled most against lefty bats with a .382 OBP and .361 wOBA allowed. The Indians don't have a ton of lefty bats, but if any of them get a surprise start, they'd be worth using. Surprisingly of this trio, Allen has the best OBP of late with a .367 mark in his last 61 PA against righty pitchers.
White Sox vs. Martin Perez (Twins)
(SS Tim Anderson - $4,900), (3B Yoan Moncada - $5,200), (1B Jose Abreu - $5,200)
Most will give attention to the Twins in this matchup, but the White Sox have a .352 wOBA against lefties since the beginning of August and Perez always has the chance of getting shelled, highlighted by a .353 OBP allowed to righty bats. This stack is a bit expensive, but James McCann ($4,000) and Yolmer Sanchez ($2,800) are both available. This stack has a blasted southpaws for an OBP above .400 in the last month to go with solid power.
