*All pricing references are based on DraftKings unless otherwise noted
This article is designed to give you a head start/a brief look at the top pitcher and hitters on the slate from a cash game and single entry contest point of view. Obviously, you’re not going to put together a full lineup from the players listed below but that’s not the idea. The idea is to give you an early look and to point you in the right direction. Combined with all of the other articles and resources we have here at FullTime DFS, collectively we’ll have you in a great spot to cash!
Top Pitchers
Kevin Gausman (ATL)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60965251/usa_today_11064243.0.jpg)
After missing his first scheduled start of the season with shoulder soreness, Gausman will make the start tonight against the visiting Marlins. Generally, I hesitate with pitchers returning from injury, especially early in the season, however, in this case, Gausman threw 90 pitches in a rehab start on Saturday and reports indicate that there were no setbacks and that he’s ready to go. The Marlins are going to struggle offensively all season long, to no one surprise, but they have struck out 31.8 percent of the time against right-handers early on, the highest mark in the league. I feel good about Gausman on a slate where the pitching is lacking any top end starters.
Shane Bieber (CLE)
Bieber should come in as an attractive play tonight, in fact, both pitchers should see some ownership here as they both did last night, more on that later. Bieber draws a matchup against the Blue Jays who have been lackluster offensively through two series’ so far, one against the Tigers and the other against the Orioles, both of which came at home against lackluster pitching staffs. They were mowed down through seven innings last night by Trevor Bauer and I would expect Bieber to have success against them tonight.
Joe Musgrove (PIT)
The Reds offense has not yet shown up and someone should let them know the season is in full swing because they’ve scored just 11 runs in six games, shockingly they’re 1-5 thus far. Musgrove, who was serviceable last season is priced in that mid-tier range and worth of SP2 consideration tonight in a good pitchers park against a struggling offense.
Tyler Thornton (TOR)
Until the Indians show me that they are a competent offensive team, I’ll continue to target them, especially with pitchers who can bring some value like Thornton tonight. He went five shutout innings striking out eight and walking none in his first start against the Tigers and is just $6,200 against one of the worst offenses in the league to this point. The Tribe as a team is striking out at a 31.3 percent clip against righties, third-highest in the league while posting just a .210 wOBA and .087 ISO thus far. I’ll take this value and move on from my SP2 on a weak pitching slate in my eyes.
Bats to Build Around
My top bats on the slate. Not to say that you should force all of these guys into your lineup(s), simply said, these are my favorite bats considering a number of variables.
Ryan Braun (MIL)
Braun is always a hitter I’ll look to roster against the N.L. Central and especially at home against lefties. Follow that up with how atrocious the Cubs bullpen has been, especially yesterday getting exposed early on against the Braves and we have a situation where Braun comes in at a great value in a spot where the Brewers could go bananas. It’s worth noting that Jose Quintana pitched well in two starts in Milwaukee last season, however with how good the Brewers are going offensively, four or more runs in all but one game this season, I have no issue grabbing Braun and maybe another Brewer tonight.
Michael Brantley (HOU)
The Astros have been half asleep thus far but I think they wake up a bit tonight in there home opener and I love Brantley here. First off, he’s underpriced hitting in the middle of the order, likely cleanup. Secondly, he puts the ball in play at an extremely high rate and he’ll likely have traffic in front of him on the bases. Frankie Montas struggled with lefties last season surrendering a 49 percent hard-hit rate to the platoon to go along with a .375 wOBA. Brantley has gone four straight without a knock and he’s simply too good to continue that trend.
David Peralta (ARI)
Peralta and the Dbacks have their home opener tonight after playing their first seven games of the season in Los Angeles (Dodgers) and San Diego respectively. The matchup for Peralta against Rick Porcello (40 percent hard contact rate against lefties last season) is a good one as Peralta hammered righties last year and has picked up right where he left off thus far in 2019. Last year Peralta posted a .398 wOBA, .251 ISO, and 52.2 percent hard-hit rate against righties with a .438 wOBA and .269 ISO against the platoon at home. Peralta is on fire to start out the season going 15-33 with seven doubles and a home run, including two doubles in each of his last three games.
Rhys Hoskins (PHI)
Generally, Jake Odorizzi is a value arm I look at any night that he’s on the hill because I do think he’s a good pitcher. He will be someone you see me write up this season in a positive light, but not right now. This is a really tough spot to back him in tonight. Rhys comes in just 3-16 thus far but is a reverse splits monster. Last season against right-handed pitchers, Hoskins posted a .380 wOBA, .288 ISO, and a 52 percent fly ball rate. Hoskins also hit 31 of his 34 home runs against righties. Odorizzi has always had trouble with the reverse split even though he showed a bit better last season. For his career, Odorizzi has allowed a .327 wOBA to righties while living with a 46 percent fly ball rate and a 12 percent home run to fly ball rate. In a park that right-handed power hitters have success, I’ll lean on one of the better righty power bats against right-handed pitchers in the league. *Note: This game does have some weather issues that could lead to a delay or even postponement.
Quick Hits
Favorite value bat: Adam Frazier (PIT)
Low owned home run: Jurickson Profar
Weakest position (generally a spot where I’ll look for value): Second Base – Frazier (PIT), Jonathan Schoop (MIN), Ben Zobrist (CHC)
GOOD LUCK!!
