MLB DFS: The Daily Diamond – 8/19

Rob Geriak's top arms and bats for cash and single entry contests!

*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 pitchers 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

Kyle Gibson (MIN)

The White Sox have struggled of late as their free fall continues, specifically against right-handed pitching as they have just a .307 wOBA and .123 ISO over the past two weeks; both of which rank in the bottom third of baseball. Gibson has shut the Sox down twice this season already striking out 18 batters over 13 innings while allowing just two earned runs. I expect another good outing for Gibby against the struggling division foe White Sox.

 

Zach Davies (MIL)

It’s hard to fathom that we have a pitcher under 5K that I feel good about but here we are with Zach Davies. At $4,200, you have to consider Davies taking on the Cardinals who have the fifth-lowest wOBA and fourth-lowest ISO against righties over the past two weeks. While there is nothing that will “wow” you from Davies, you won’t need much from him at this price.

 

Joe Ross (WSH)

At $6,900, Ross will provide some value as an SP2 (not as much as Davies, but enough if you don’t trust Davies) based on what he’s done over his last three starts. Over that span, he’s pitched into the sixth inning all three times and allowed a total of one earned run. The Pirates have been near the bottom in team wOBA and team ISO over the past two weeks against right-handed pitching. While they haven’t been striking out much, targeting the Pirates with Ross tonight is worth considering.

 

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.

Mike Moustakas (MIL)

Moose heads into St. Louis to face a team he’s hit well against this season (7-22, three doubles, three home runs) and does so after hitting three home runs in his past two games. Dakota Hudson has given up nearly two home runs per nine innings to lefties this season and with Moose struggling for the better half of a month, this is a good matchup for him as he begins to heat up.

 

Michael Brantley (HOU)

Brantley is red-hot and there’s no reason to believe that won’t continue against Edwin Jackson and the Tigers at home. Brantley has multiple hits in each of his last four games and over the past month is hitting .379 with a .449 wOBA and .305 ISO along with a 47 percent hard-hit rate. He’s as reliable as they come in this powerful offense and this is a great spot for him to continue raking.

 

Eugenio Suarez (CIN)

Geno continues to be a stud against left-handed pitching with a .392 wOBA and .281 ISO against southpaws this season. Over his last 49 plate appearances, Geno has been crushing the ball with a 48 percent hard-hit rate, .364 wOBA, and .310 ISO. Lauer has given up nearly a 40 percent hard contact rate and 40 percent fly-ball rate to righties over the past month and Geno should take advantage of him in a great hitting environment.

 

Quick Hits

Favorite value bat(s)

Manny Machado (SD)

Low owned home run

Jonathan Schoop (MIN)

Position that is weakest/has the most value

Catcher: Jason Castro (MIN), Robinson Chirinos / Martin Maldonado (HOU), Mike Zunino (TB)

GOOD LUCK!

About Rob Geriak 380 Articles
Rob Geriak (MLB, NHL) has been playing fantasy sports for over 10 years shifting his focus over to DFS a few years back. Geriak started out posting daily thoughts and analysis in the FullTime Fantasy message boards and has contributed across the industry in many different areas providing top-notch content including on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio. Geriak presents his content in a simplified, straight to the point form with a mix of advanced and common data assisting all fantasy sports players from the casual, novice player to the avid, experienced player. You can follow Rob on Twitter @TheRobGeriak