FanDuel Pitching Primer: Wednesday 8/25/21
In daily fantasy baseball, success starts with nailing the starting pitcher spot in your lineup.
When compared to hitters, pitching performance tends to be much more predictable and stable throughout the course of the season. You know what you're getting from a top-level ace when you roster him: probably a dominant effort with only one or two implosions per season. In contrast, even the game's best hitters have days at the plate when they go 0-for-4.
As a result, lineup construction should begin with the starting pitcher. Which pitchers should you consider on today's main slate?
High-Salaried Play
Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies
Vs. Tampa Bay Rays
FanDuel Salary: $11,000
Here goes that man again, and if you don't know his name, you better learn Zack Wheeler and the excellence he is spewing in 2021.
Twenty-five starts into the year and 168 2/3 innings pitched, the veteran right-hander lands among the league's elite hurlers with a 2.53 FIP, 29.1% strikeout rate, and 5.4% walk rate. That will play, and play nicely, as his 49.1% ground-ball rate also limits the damage that the big fly can do.
Now, Wheeler's opponent tonight, the Tampa Bay Rays, has sizzled recently at the dish -- they have a solid .346 wOBA over the last month -- but they also provide plenty of strikeout goodness with a 24.7% mark.
Our projections have Wheeler leading the way with 40.8 FanDuel points, four more than the next highest hurler. On a loaded pitching slate, give him a long look.
Mid-Salaried Play
Johnny Cueto, San Francisco Giants
At New York Mets
FanDuel Salary: $8,100
I'll be really honest with you fam -- the mid-range is a bit odd today.
There are plenty of high-salaried hurlers for us to pay up for -- seven arms are at $9,000 or more -- but the mid-range is a bit more challenging. Among those options, Johnny Cueto stands out among the rest.
The New York Mets have shown some signs of life lately, especially with Javier Baez and Francisco Lindor returning from injury. But, in the last month, they are third-worst in team wOBA (.284) with a 23.6% strikeout rate.
Cueto carries a 3.93 FIP into the start, but there is reason for pause -- he is coming off the injured list for this start and missed 17 days. But with a lack of great options in this range, consider Cueto.
Low-Salaried Play
Tyler Gilbert, Arizona Diamondbacks
At Pittsburgh Pirates
FanDuel Salary: $6,500
It's hard replicating a feat like throwing a no-hitter in your first start, but that's the reputation southpaw Tyler Gilbert has built for himself.
Here's the good news -- he gets a chance to attack a Pittsburgh Pirates offense that has been downright pathetic at the plate. Over the last month, the Buccos have struck out eighth-most in the league (23.8%) while posting a league-worst .265 wOBA.
Now, Gilbert has never been a high whiff guy. His career-best 28.3% strikeout rate happened several stops ago in the minors. But if you need a cheap arm, consider Gilbert.
Matt Kupferle is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Matt Kupferle also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username MKupferle. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.
