So many aces, so little time. Both Stephen Strasburg and Clayton Kershaw are strikeouts machines in excellent matchups. Strasburg is striking out 11.37 batters per nine and will face the Brewers who are striking out at the second highest rate in the last 14 days. Kershaw is facing the third highest strikeout team in the Pirates while striking out 11.5 batters per nine. With that being said, these two are going to be extremely highly owned. In GPPs, I would consider the pivot to Jose Fernandez. Fernandez trumps both Strasburg and Kershaw in K/9, checking in at 12.44. Fernandez has been brilliant this season and he’s going to need to be great against the Cubbies tonight. Many will shy away from facing the best team in all of baseball but Cubs have been one of the highest strikeout teams in the league for two straight seasons. They are volatile, which makes them a good GPP target.
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If you’re looking for value, consider Luis Perdomo if the San Diego Padres. The former reliever has made two straight starts for the Padres, and while he’s been knocked around, he’s struck out 12 batters in 11 innings. In his defense, his last outing was a six run beatdown at the hands of the Orioles, but Baltimore has done that to nearly every pitcher they’ve faced this year. The Reds have fallen off the face of the Earth this season, ranking 25th in wOBA and striking out at 23% which is the 6th highest in the league.
Things are really bad for Ian Kennedy right now. He started the season like a man-possessed, sporting a 2.13 ERA through his first six starts of the season. Since then, things have derailed to the tune of a 5.98 ERA in the eight starts since and getting up to 7.25 in his last four starts. In that most recent stretch, he’s only lasted 22.1 innings and has surrendered ten homers while only striking out 15 batters. He has the highest xFIP on the slate and will have to battle the Houston Astros. Houston is usually a much better team at home but will have to travel to Kansas City today. Despite the ballpark downgrade, Houston owns the 7th best wOBA in the last 30 days
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.