MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers & Top Stacks for Monday, August 16
Monday, Aug. 16, has a terrific 10-game main slate filled with questionable pitchers. Let’s get into the top MLB DFS picks for pitchers and stacks for Yahoo, DraftKings and FanDuel daily fantasy baseball lineups.
MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers and Top Stacks, Monday, Aug. 16
Yahoo Stack of the Day: New York Yankees vs. LHP Jose Suarez — 5.7 implied runs
The Yahoo salary algorithm is providing a few bargains from New York as they square off against Jose Suarez. Although Suarez has been better against opposite-handed hitters this year, most of that success came as a multi-inning reliever and not a starter. Over the last two-plus seasons, Suarez has allowed a .232 ISO and a 9.5% walk rate with a subpar 16.9% strikeout rate against right-handed batters. He also has allowed a .211 ISO albeit with a 24.7% strikeout rate against lefties in this same timeframe.
With D.J. LeMahieu ($13), Giancarlo Stanton ($13) and Luke Voit ($10) coming in with significant discounts today, it is not difficult to include Aaron Judge as part of the core four while also rolling out Gerrit Cole ($51) as the ace. This will be a popular lineup construction, so gamers will need to differentiate rosters with a secondary stack.
Joey Gallo ($14) and Rougned Odor ($11) will be less popular than they should be, as gamers are still hesitant to roster hitters in lefty/lefty matchups. Over their last 200-plus same-handed matchups, both batters have ISOs over .200.
Check Out Our FREE Fantasy Football Rankings
The 2021 Fantasy Football season is almost here, so make sure you're dialing in your mock drafts and draft boards with our FREE Fantasy Football Rankings. These are the rankings that Alex Baker himself uses — and created — for his own fantasy football leagues. Our 2021 rankings encompass everything from Half-PPR, Full-PPR, Standard, Dynasty and Rookie Dynasty leagues, with expert data and player profiles for every player you have questions on. Check out Awesemo's rankings and win your league.
Evening Slate
Houston Astros at RHP Carlos Hernandez — 5.6 implied runs
By all means look to both sides of the Coors Field game with a 12.5 implied run total in 90-degree weather. For some differentiation on this slate, look to the Astros, who have the best offense this season against both right- and left-handed pitchers from a wRC+ perspective. Carlos Hernandez is a perfectly average pitcher who would be a back-of-rotation starter for most teams in the league. Though he has a 12.1% walk rate over the last two seasons, he also has an above-average strikeout rate at 24.2%.
Hernandez has made improvements over his limited 14.2 innings last season, and after starting out in the bullpen, he looks to be a full-time starter going forward for the Royals. However, the Houston lineup is relentless, and with favorable hitting weather in Kauffman Park, it is shaping up to be a rough night for Hernandez.
With Kyle Tucker on the COVID-19 reserve list, rookie Jake Meyers was pressed into duty, and he responded with two home runs and five RBIs on Saturday. That is impressive considering he had all of 14 MLB at-bats under his belt heading into that game. While lightening is unlikely to strike twice, it is a good reminder that both he and Chas McCormick are getting good pitches to hit, as opposing teams would rather take their chances against them than the usual suspects.
Jose Altuve, Michael Brantley, Carlos Correa and Yordan Alvarez are top targets in all formats tonight. On the evening slate, Yuli Gurriel and Aledmys Diaz also work for differentiation from the Coors Field crowd, as both veterans have a solid track record of success in same-handed matchups.
Late Slate
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. LHP Steven Brault — 5.7 implied runs
Steven Brault is heading into a right-handed buzz saw of a lineup tonight. The only saving grace is that the Dodgers were the featured Sunday Night Baseball game and had to travel all the way across the country from New York. However, even that is unlikely to save Brault tonight.
Even without Mookie Betts (hip), Los Angeles boasts an All-Star lineup. It would not be a surprise for a veteran or two to get a day off after the cross-country flight. Trea Turner, A.J. Pollock and Chris Taylor are likely to see prominent positions in the batting order with a southpaw on the mound. Justin Turner is the most likely to get a day off, as he has been dealing with a groin injury. Albert Pujols could draw a start in the middle of the order.
Catcher Will Smith has played in three straight games, so he too could see they day off, which would potentially promote one of the other righties to the middle of the order. Finally, Max Muncy and Corey Seager are both in play, as they can hold their own in lefty/lefty matchups and the Pirates have a righty-heavy bullpen.
Spotlight Pitchers
Top MLB DFS Picks Target: RHP Gerrit Cole vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — 4.0 implied runs
DFS Salary: Yahoo $51 | FanDuel $11,400 | DraftKings $10,900
Gerrit Cole is expected to return from the COVID-19 reserve tonight. Reports are that, while he did test positive and had most symptoms, he is doing well and feeling up to a return. The Angels lineup would look a lot different if they had Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon this season. While Shohei Ohtani is on pace for 40 home runs and 20 stolen bases, he cannot carry the load alone. Brandon Marsh, Jo Adell and Jared Walsh all have bright futures, but they are incredibly inconsistent. David Fletcher, Max Stassi and Justin Upton are not going to put fear into many pitchers, which lands Cole as the top pitching option on the slate.
Secondary MLB DFS Picks Target: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. New York Mets — 3.5 implied runs
DFS Salary: Yahoo $43 | FanDuel $10,300 | DraftKings $10,100
Those who are not fans of Cole tonight have Kevin Gausman as an excellent alternative. The Mets lost 14-4 last night on ESPN in New York. That made the series a clean sweep for the Dodgers, and the long flight to San Francisco could not have been much fun. Gausman has a top-six 2.29 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. Even better are his 10.9 strikeouts per nine, which rank 10th in the league. While New York is not a pushover and Oracle Park is not quite the pitching haven it was before renovations, Gausman should vie for top pitching honors tonight.
Wild Card: RHP Cal Quantrill at Minnesota Twins — 5.0 implied runs
DFS Salary: Yahoo $35 | FanDuel $8,500 | DraftKings $7,800
By no means is this recommendation for the faint of heart. Even after trading away several key contributors and losing a couple others to injury, the Twins lineup is not a pushover. However, the salary is reasonable for Cal Quantrill to be employed as a second pitcher on both Yahoo and DraftKings. He has made a few tweaks to his pitching mechanics and mix, which has provided a boost to his strikeout success. The projected lineup for Minnesota has a 27.9% strikeout rate against right-handed pitchers over the last two seasons. While they also have a .218 ISO, Quantrill offers some salary relief in tournaments as long as his popularity stays at a reasonable level.
Final Thoughts for the Monday, Aug. 16 MLB DFS Picks Slate
The weather does not seem to be a problem today, though mid-week showers are expected in several cities across the country. Tournaments should be particularly exciting with the potential for fireworks in Coors Field and seven teams with a five-plus implied run total
The post MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers & Top Stacks for Monday, August 16 appeared first on Awesemo.com.
