This is a pretty interesting slate of pitching options. There’s five or six really viable options at the top. Let’s take a closer look at Corey Kluber who is dealing right now. Since July 8th (five starts), he’s posting a 1.46 ERA and striking out 39 batters over 37 innings. His opponents are hovering right at the Mendoza line, with a .202 batting average in that span. The workhorse has piled on at least seven innings in seven of his last eight starts and will now battle the Angels tonight. Despite hitting better recently, the Angels are still ranked in the bottom half of the league in most offensive categories.
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I’m looking at Jameson Taillon as more of a sneaky value option. His 8.25 K/9 in the last month is 6th best on this slate. If we look at his last five starts, he’s surrendering a very good 2.40 ERA and has only walked one batter in his last thirty innings. A very consistent option who has pitched exactly six innings in each of those starts. Today he battles the Padres who are striking out at a torrid 24.4% clip in the last thirty, which is second worst in the league. Also, Taillon and the Pirates have opened as a -175 favorite, the third biggest favorite on the board.
I’m going to fire up the Brewers again tonight. Despite strikeout concerns, they rank 7th in wOBA in the last thirty days. Not only are they scoring a ton of runs, but they’ve stolen 42 bases in that span which is tops in the league. Miller Park is a hitter-friendly park and they will face veteran Roberto Hernandez tonight. I don’t expect much from Hernandez who made his first start of the season just five days ago. He did complete five innings but needed 95 pitches to do it and scatters six hits while allowing three runs to the Cardinals.
That’s all folks! Be sure to follow me on Twitter for more player analysis and news as starting lineups are released! Commentary based on DraftKings & Fanduel strategy and scoring.