MLB DFS: The Daily Diamond – 5/17

*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

Jacob deGrom (NYM)

There isn’t much to think about here, folks. deGrom who has always pitched well against the Marlins and has dominated them twice already this season is easily my top arm on the slate. While he may be expensive, locking in a shutdown arm on these big slates is imperative, especially when you consider that there is plenty of value spread around as far as bats go.

Max Scherzer (WAS)

The Cubs offense doesn’t scare me, first and foremost as in my mind they’re one of, if not the biggest collection of frauds in the majors. Max is coming off an outing against the Dodgers in L.A. in which he ended up pitching well on a night where he clearly didn’t have his best stuff. He struggled with his in-zone command, worked into a lot of deep counts, and still finished off seven innings allowing just two earned runs against one of the more potent offenses in the N.L. to this point. With all that being said, back home against the Cubs who are coming in after a game yesterday, which included nearly a two-hour rain delay and a series in a hitters park in which they scored just 10 runs in three games, Max has seven innings, 10 strikeouts, and one earned run, likely a solo home run to whoever Joe Maddon decides to hit seventh tonight, written all over him. Max has gone at least seven innings in all but one home start this season and has 12, 9, 7, 10, and 8 strikeouts in his five starts in D.C.

Frankie Montas (OAK)

Montas matches up with the Tigers who’s lineup is full of strikeouts and bad hitters, part of the reason he’s priced up to $8,800 tonight. The other reason is that he’s pitched very well this season, specifically over his last two starts, one at home and one on the road. While Montas’ strikeout rate may not be through the roof (22.9 percent), he brings with him a low walk rate, around five percent, as well as an impressive 33.9 percent O-Swing rate, 10.9 percent swinging strike rate, and very good 52 percent ground ball rate. The Tigers and their 26.3 percent strikeout rate against righties (third-highest in the league) should aid Montas and his upside tonight in a good pitching environment.

Joey Lucchesi (SD)

Lucchesi is in a good spot at a nice salary at home tonight against the Pirates who offensively are challenged to say the least against left-handed pitchers as we saw throughout most of last night’s game against Eric Lauer. The Pirates have a 28.2 percent K rate, 5.7 percent walk rate, .091 ISO, and .266 wOBA against lefties this season. Lucchesi has pitched very well at home this season with the exception of one start against the Rockies and ironically he’s coming off a good outing in his last start against those Rockies in Colorado of all places. Weird. Either way, with the matchup and park shift I’ll look at Lucchesi who carries a very nice salary with him.

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.

Joc Pederson (LAD)

As is generally the case when the Dodgers face a righty, Joc is a prime bat to consider, especially against a pitcher who struggles against lefties. Anthony Desclafani has been hit hard by lefties this season allowed a .380 wOBA, 55 percent fly ball rate, and 44 percent hard contact rate. For the hardos out there that are worried about sample size, over his career Desclafani has allowed a .359 wOBA to the platoon along with a 40 percent fly ball rate. Joc, who continues to mash righties has posted a .420 wOBA, .440 ISO, a 44.7 percent fly ball rate, and 50 percent hard-hit rate resulting in all 13 of his home run. With a great park shift and matchup, Joc is someone worth locking in tonight.

Eduardo Escobar (ARI)

Escobar has been hitting the ball well of late with a 94 mile per hour average exit velocity and 56 percent fly ball rate over the past two weeks resulting in two doubles, a triple, and four home runs over that span. Facing Jeff Samardzija tonight at home, Escobar and the Dback lefties have a good matchup as Samardzija has allowed a .357 wOBA and 52 percent hard contact rate against the platoon this season. Eligible at shortstop and third base on DK, Escobar gives you a bit of flexibility hitting in the middle of the lineup in a spot where the Dbacks should have plenty of traffic on the bases.

Matt Carpenter (STL)

I could really put any Cardinal in this spot facing a piss poor pitching staff for the Texas Rangers. Carp, though, comes in at a nice value at 4K one night after hitting a home run in Atlanta and coming in with a 95 mile per hour average exit velocity and 51 percent fly ball rate over the past two weeks. While the Rangers will use an “opener” tonight, it really doesn’t matter who they throw out on the mound of late. In a good hitters park against a bad staff, the Cards are heavily in play and Carps value tonight is too good for me to pass up.

Francisco Lindor (CLE)

Lindor and the Tribe beat the ever loving piss out of the Orioles last night in a game that wasn’t on the slate (aggravating) and tonight they face Dylan Bundy and the same slop of relievers for the O’s. Frankie has hits in nine of his last 10 games with multiple hits in four of his last five contests. Bundy has pitched well of late but this is a tough spot for him against Cleveland who look to be heating up offensively scoring 30 runs over their last four games. Give me the leadoff hitter plus more from the Tribe tonight.

Quick Hits

Favorite value bat(s)

Jason Kipnis (CLE), Corey Seager (LAD), Khris Davis (OAK), Stephen Piscotty (OAK)

Low owned home run

J.D. Martinez (BOS)

Position that is weakest/has the most value

Second Base: Kipnis (CLE), Rougned Odor (TEX), Robinson Cano (NYM), Joe Panik (SF)

GOOD LUCK!!