Happy Cinco de Mayo folks!!!
MLB DFS pitching breakdowns are key to starting a winning lineup. Finding the best matchups form the foundation to a cash game lineup, and the sneaky matchups exploiting deeper dives find those under-the-radar pitchers capable of winning huge tournament money. But, knowing which pitcher is best suited for which DFS game format sets you apart from the rest of the casual, fishy players out there just lighting their money on fire nightly.
Our MLB pitching guru, MDell (Matt), walks you through the strategy and metrics for today’s slate. For an even deeper dive into timeless MLB Pitching Strategy, click here. And, for proper definitions of the many stats used below, head to Fangraphs.com. They are easy to find and learn.
Congratulations to VIP “c00k00” and his huge NASCAR win recently!! Unlock premium content for any DFS sport when you use code MDELL. As a bonus, you receive a 10% discount…the real VIP treatment!!
You’ll never know where you’re going unless you look back at where you’ve been…
Yesterday’s MLB Pitcher Results: (here I will post fantasy points from the previous day’s picks)
- Freddy Peralta (33 FD, 19.05 DK)
- Lucas Giolito (44 FD, 27.75 DK)
- Dylan Bundy (-7 FD, -11.6 DK)
- Nestor Cortes (15 FD, 6.2 DK)
- Austin Gomber (42 FD, 22.2 DK)
- Reid Detmers (11 FD, 4.3 DK)
MAIN MLB DFS Slate (6 games)
Aaron Nola (9.9k FD, 8k DK)
Smaller slate here so we have to take some options we don’t necessarily love. Nola is always a better pitcher at home for the Phillies and has been over is career. This isn’t a great matchup against the Mets though. They aren’t striking out much against righties, but have just a .109 ISO in the last 2 weeks against RHP. Very dangerous matchup here but the Mets roster doesn’st have a ton of success against him, except Pete Alonso. As a roster, they are hitting just .194 against Nola with a 36.4% strikeout rate. I see the upside, but there is also a big risk.
Jose Urquidy (6.8k FD, 7.8k DK)
The matchup here for Urquidy is a good matchup against Detroit. The Tigers come into this game with a .266 wOBA this year with a 27.63% strikeout rate against RHP on the road. DET also comes into this game with an overall K% of 25.7% against RHP with an .082 ISO. Urquidy has 4 starts this season, and they haven’t been great but he also has faced much better teams than the Tigers. They are struggling right now aside from a few bats. I like his upside and price here tonight.
Apr 24, 2022; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (18) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jesus Luzardo (9.1k FD, 8.5k DK)
VERY tough matchup here for Luzardo, but I do really like what he’s been doing so far this year for Miami. Outside from his start against the Cardinals he has been really good. He’s at a little over a strikeout per inning so far this season too. The padres have guys who can mash lefties, but Luzardo has been pretty good against RHB so far this year and has been better on the road. He is allowing under a .200 average against RHB but a high .311 wOBA. I do see his upside, but can also see him getting hit around. I like him for GPPs though as a lower owned pitcher.
Shane McClanahan (10.1k FD, 9.7k DK)
What a start for McClanahan. He has over 7 strikeouts in every start this year so far and has been great at limiting damage. He’s one of the best starters the Rays have right now and a guy that can go deep into games. The matchup with Seattle isn’t the best one as they have a ton of righties in their lineup and don’t strikeout all that much. Both teams come into this game not striking out a ton against lefties and both offenses will face lefties in this one. I love how Shane has started this season and look for him to keep it rolling.
Robbie Ray (8.9k FD, 8.8k DK)
Ray has struggled so far with his SEA career. Not the most awful numbers, but not what he was putting up in Toronto last season. The Rays don’t strikeout much against lefties though so we want him to get about a strikeout per inning. Ray has been really good against lefties this year so far, but righties have touched him up for 4 HR. There are righties that I do worry about in the Rays lineup, but I also like the ballpark here too.
PITCHER RANKINGS MAIN
- Jose Urquidy
- Shane McClanahan
- Robbie Ray
- Jesus Luzardo
- Aaron Nola
Learn exciting new formats and use DFS Army proprietary projections to win 20X your entry fees. Our partner, SuperDraft DFS, is giving new users a generous deposit bonus AND a free month of DFS Army’s VIP program when they sign up in April. Don’t miss out!
Top MLB Stacks: Main DFS Slate
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Houston Astros
- Miami Marlins
- Philadelphia Phillies
- Minnesota Twins
DINGER OF THE DAY
Apr 25, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Schwarber
Right back to Schwarbs here. I picked him last time he faced Walker and I will pick him again here. He’s 5-13 against Walker in his career, but all 5 of those hits are home-runs. I love going back to him here too. My other pick would be Pete Alonso, who is 12-34 with 3 doubles and 4 HR against Nola. I think both of these guys can go yard tonight.
Why DFS Army?
Stop wasting your time!! DFS Army proprietary research methods knock your player picks out of the park while freeing you up to play all our sports. From NFL to NBA, from MLB to PGA, the days of hours and hours of statistical analysis are over. Learn how the pros play!! Become a VIP now!
