This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Tuesday's featured MLB slate begins at 7:05 p.m. EDT and includes nine games. This slate has a nice mix of enticing arms at the top and vulnerable ones at the bottom, so it's possible to build effective lineups around both pitching and hitting. Below, you'll find recommended pitchers and hitters to target, as well as some value plays and stacking options.
Pitchers
After a slow start to the season, the Dodgers' Walker Buehler ($10,200) has pitched up to his lofty valuation in his last two outings, allowing one run on six hits to go with a sparkling 17:1 K:BB over 11 innings. This slate's priciest pitcher should be worth paying up for against Arizona, which is one of six teams scoring fewer than four runs per game.
Lance Lynn's ($9,400) coming off a clunker against the Astros, but the Rangers' righty has a nice opportunity to get back on track at home against an Angels team that has gone just 5-13 on the road while scoring 3.94 runs per away contest. We could be in for a pitchers' duel in this game, as Angels starter Andrew Heaney ($8,400) has allowed just one run on seven hits to go with a 16:4 K:BB in 14.2 innings over his past two starts. Texas' home offense ranks 29th at 3.47 runs per game.
Sixto Sanchez ($6,200) is the obvious choice if you're looking for upside in a bargain arm. Miami's rookie righty has a 19:1 K:BB through three starts, posting a 2.37 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over his first 19 major-league innings. While Atlanta's high-powered offense presents a challenging matchup, Sanchez is well positioned to pick up a win, as outlined further below.
Top Targets
There are a couple of enticing elite options for those looking to spend big at shortstop. Fernando Tatis ($6,000) has a .468 wOBA in righty-on-righty matchups that climbs to .538 at home, so he should be worth paying up for against Rockies righty Chi Chi Gonzalez. Corey Seager ($5,500) has a .482 wOBA against righties, and the left-handed Dodgers slugger should keep rolling against Diamondbacks starter Luke Weaver (7.44 ERA).
Outfielder Austin Slater ($4,200) is thriving as the Giants' designated hitter and leadoff man, with a .328/.426/.603 line. He's available at a reasonable price against inexperienced Mariners starter Ljay Newsome.
Best Values
Ryan Mountcastle ($3,800) is showing no signs of slowing down, as he has four hits and six RBI in his last three games, bringing his line to .333/.397/.549 through 15 games this season. Roll the Orioles outfielder out there with confidence against Mets starter Michael Wacha (7.20 ERA, 1.75 WHIP).
Dylan Moore ($3,700) is slashing .293/.369/.565 in 25 games for Seattle. He's eligible at second base and in the outfield, and finding a spot for the Mariners' two-hole hitter should be worth it given his mix of production and affordability.
Ke'Bryan Hayes ($2,800) has made a tremendous first impression in Pittsburgh, mustering a .389/.421/.722 line through five games. The rookie third baseman's price will soar before long if he keeps playing like this, making Hayes a low-risk, high-reward option at the moment.
Stacks to Consider
White Sox at Pirates RHP Joe Musgrove
Jose Abreu (1B - $5,300), Luis Robert (OF - $4,600), Yoan Moncada (3B - $5,000)
Few things have gone right for the 13-26 Pirates, and Musgrove's play has been no exception. The righty has lost each of his four starts this season, posting a 6.62 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in 17.2 innings. Righty-on-righty matchups have been particularly troublesome for Musgrove, as he has surrendered a .437 wOBA in that split. Meanwhile, Abreu has thrived in such matchups, producing a .421 wOBA against right-handers. Like Abreu, Robert has preferred to face righties, posting a .384 wOBA in that split. The switch-hitting Moncada has been far better when batting left-handed, with a .349 career wOBA against righties compared to a .304 mark against southpaws.
Mets vs. Orioles LHP John Means
J.D. Davis (3B - $4,300), Pete Alonso (1B - $4,700), Wilson Ramos (C - $4,400)
Means has an 8.10 ERA and 8.05 FIP this season, and he has served up two home runs in each of his past three starts. That includes his most recent outing, in which the Mets tagged the vulnerable lefty for four runs in 5.1 innings. Davis is a key balancing force in the lefty-laden Mets lineup, as the right-handed slugger has produced a .407 wOBA against left-handed pitchers this season, while Means has surrendered a .410 wOBA to batters from the right side. Alonso's long ball off Means on Sep. 2 was the start of a nice hot streak that has seen the first baseman go deep four times in the past five games. Coming off a 53-homer rookie season, Alonso's more than capable of sustaining this recent power surge. Ramos is a solid choice for your catcher spot given his respectable .359 wOBA against southpaws and Means' struggles with right-handed hitters.
Marlins at Braves RHP Kyle Wright
Miguel Rojas (SS - $4,200), Jesus Aguilar (1B - $3,800), Corey Dickerson (OF - $3,200)
Miami offers some intriguing value options against Wright, who has walked 16 batters in 15 innings this season and owns a 7.20 ERA that jumps to 9.26 as a starter. The Marlins' offense should do enough damage against Wright to line Sanchez up for a win. Rojas seems likely to come back down to earth eventually, but he's currently slashing .375/.470/.607 through 66 plate appearances. Aguilar bats between second and fourth in the order, and he has driven in runs consistently. Of his team-high 23 RBI, seven have come in the past eight games. Dickerson has a few splits working in his favor, as the left-handed slugger has the platoon advantage against Wright, and Dickerson's .344 road wOBA is 133 points higher than his dreadful .211 mark at Marlins Park.
