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Pitcher
Justin’s Pick: Mike Clevinger
Mike Clevinger has dealt with multiple injuries this season, which has kept him to only three starts. In those starts, he has posted a 1-1 record with a 2.70 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP. He also owns a 1.90 xFIP and a 2.60 SIERA in those games. While his innings have been limited, all signs point toward him being an elite pitcher in the MLB this season, specifically for fantasy. He currently owns an absurd 46.8% strikeout rate to go along with a 16.5% swinging strike rate in 2019. Those numbers are unsustainable, but Clevinger has always flashed solid strikeout stuff, and he’s likely taking a step forward this season. He’ll be throwing in a hitter-friendly stadium, but he gets a plus matchup against the Baltimore Orioles. They currently rank fourth on the slate in strikeouts per at-bat, while also ranking in the bottom six in team wOBA. Clevinger is a -179 favorite in a game set at 9 runs, and he can be considered in all leagues, as we’re getting him at an injury discount.
Jason’s Reaction: I prefer Jacob deGrom in cash games, but Clevinger is a great tournament option tonight against the Orioles.
Jason’s Pick: Vince Velasquez
Vince Velasquez gets a great matchup tonight against the Miami Marlins, one of the league’s worst offenses. The Marlins strikeout 0.278 times per at-bat, and Velasquez owns a 9.3 K/9 rate. His strikeout prediction for this game is over eight, and his price tag just seems slightly too low. Vegas has this game set at 8 total runs, and the Philadelphia Phillies are -140 favorites, giving the Marlins an implied run total of only 3.7 runs, which is tied for the lowest on the board. Velasquez has strikeout potential equivalent to that of Jacob deGrom and slightly less than that of Mike Clevinger, and his price tag is significantly lower than both. He can be rostered in all leagues to open up salary space for more expensive batters tonight.
Justin’s Reaction: The only concern with Velasquez is pitch count, but I also like him tonight, especially since we’re likely going to be saving and spending up on batters.
Infielder
Justin’s Pick: Chris Taylor
Chris Taylor has been the hottest hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers recently, as he owns a .412 average with a .794 slugging percentage and a 1.244 OPS over his last 10 games. He has also posted 7 extra-base hits (3 home runs), 14 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases over that span. Furthermore, Taylor boasts 54% hard hit and 45% fly ball rates with a 94 MPH exit velocity over the last 15 days. He could go a bit overlooked tonight because of his spot in the Dodgers’ batting order, or the righty-righty matchup, but he’ll face off against Antonio Senzatela in Colorado. Taylor is even more valuable because of his ability to be used at shortstop or outfield, and he has been playing well enough to be considered in all leagues tonight.
Jason’s Reaction: His price tag is high, but Taylor’s advanced metrics indicate that he is well worth it. Good recommendation.
Jason’s Pick: Scott Kingery
The Philadelphia Phillies’ offense has been a target for value batters quite frequently over the last few games, and that does not change tonight. As Justin mentions below, Bryce Harper is still too cheap. Also, Scott Kingery can be rostered in all leagues. He is eligible at both the third base and outfield positions, and he enters tonight’s game with 0.039 HR/AB and 0.039 SB/G ratios. In his last 10 games, Kingery is hitting over .250 with 2 home runs, 3 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases. He has over 15 fantasy points in 2 of his last 4 games, so the upside is rather obvious, and his advanced metrics are great. In the last 15 days, he has an average batted ball distance of 255 feet, an average exit velocity on those batted balls of 95 MPH, a fly ball rate over 45%, and a hard hit rate of 55%. Kingery should continue to produce for the Phillies, and until he shows otherwise, roster him in all leagues.
Justin’s Reaction: I have no problems with Kingery. We’ve been recommending him for quite some time now, and he hasn’t let us down.
Outfielder
Justin’s Pick: Bryce Harper
I’m getting sick of playing Bryce Harper every night, but it’s difficult to avoid him at this price tag. His numbers don’t pop off the page, as he’s only hitting .235 with a .471 slugging percentage and a .880 OPS over his last 10 games. He has recorded four extra-base hits (two home runs), six RBIs, and one stolen base over that span. With that being said, he has scored fantasy points in each of his last 10 games, including double digit fantasy points in 4 of his last 6. Harper only owns 34% hard hit and fly ball rates with a 94 MPH exit velocity over the last 15 days. That hasn’t stopped him from producing, though, and he gets a plus matchup against Elieser Hernandez tonight. Hopefully, Harper’s price tag is up by Monday so I can recommend someone else in this slot. For now, use Harper in any type of format.
Jason’s Reaction: Boring!
Jason’s Pick: Kyle Schwarber
Speaking of boring, Kyle Schwarber is still entirely too cheap on DraftKings. Yes, Justin’s recommendation is boring. Yes, I called him out on it. Yes, I’m going to do the same thing. No, I don’t care what you think. Schwarber is expected to leadoff for the Chicago Cubs tonight, and he gets an unbelievable matchup against Sonny Gray and the Cincinnati Reds. Gray has been struggling of recent to keep his fly ball rate down, which is currently 41% over the last 15 days. Cincinnati is a very hitter-friendly stadium, and the Cubs are expected to score just under five runs tonight. In the last 15 days, Schwarber has an average batted ball distance of 214 feet, an average exit velocity on those batted balls of 91 MPH, and fly ball and hard hit rates of 44%. He can be rostered in all leagues at his current price tag, and if DraftKings finally raises their price tags on Monday, perhaps both Justin and I will get a little more interesting.
Justin’s Reaction: More Boring! (But solid).
Be sure to follow Justin (@BalesSJustin) and Jason (@BalesTJason) on Twitter!
