This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
The primary DraftKings slate consists of 10 games, which excludes the late afternoon games and one evening contest. However, it also includes Toronto and Cleveland. And that's the first game of a doubleheader, so it's only seven innings. I'm not against a pitcher in such a situation, but I generally avoid hitters. With that settled, here are my recommendations.
PITCHERS
Brandon Woodruff, MIL at WAS ($10,100): Max Scherzer is on the other side of this matchup, and it could be low scoring. Both teams are near the bottom of the league in runs scored, though the Nationals aren't one of the teams around the Mendoza Line. However, Woodruff is mowing down every lineup he's faced with a 2.23 FIP through 10 starts and striking out over 10 batters per nine innings for the third straight season.
Steven Matz, TOR at CLE ($7,500): Matz is starting the first half of the doubleheader. And while he's posted a 4.28 ERA, that's come with a 3.56 FIP. Matz has also struggled at home, but has managed a 3.71 road ERA. Cleveland is one of a handful of teams with a sub-.300 OBP, so everything is lining up nicely for the former Met.
Kyle Freeland, COL at PIT ($5,800): To be honest, I didn't even look at Freeland's numbers before writing his name in. I just saw the salary and the matchup. Freeland has only pitched four innings this season, so there isn't much to take away from that. The Pirates have one of the lowest OPS's in the majors and only the Mets have scored fewer runs. Also, the Mets have played six fewer games.
TOP TARGETS
DJ LeMahieu, NYY at DET ($4,800): LeMahieu's power hasn't been there yet, but it should arrive. In his first two years with the Yankees, he averaged a .536 slugging percentage. A matchup with Tarik Skubal could be exactly what LeMahieu needs to find that old power as the pitcher has produced a career 6.00 FIP and has allowed a whopping 2.64 homers per nine innings over his career.
Alex Bregman, HOU vs. SD ($4,600): Snell is striking out a ton of batters and is destroying his fellow lefties. However, right-handed hitters have averaged .270 against him. Also, while Snell has excelled in his pitcher-friendly ballpark, he's struggled with a 7.85 ERA on the road. Bregman has hit .302 this year with a .391 OBP and is a righty.
VALUE BATS
Raimel Tapia, COL at PIT ($4,900): Tapia often leads off for the Rockies, as he's posted a career .281 average and steals a handful of bases every year - with five so far this season. He's also a lefty, and like many lefties has better against right-handed arms. Tapia will also likely be facing Chad Kuhl, who's coming off the injured list and has an 8.08 FIP through four starts this campaign.
Starling Marte, MIA at BOS ($3,900): Marte is back from injury and has slashed .317/.429/.508. He's also another righty facing a lefty. Eduardo Rodriguez was unfortunately not able to pitch in 2020 and it's been a slow start to 2021 with a 5.06 ERA through nine starts.
STACKS TO CONSIDER
White Sox vs. Keegan Akin: Jose Abreu ($6,200), Yasmani Grandal ($5,800), Nick Madrigal ($4,700)
Akin started a few games last year en route to a 4.56 ERA. This year, he's pitched four times out of the bullpen with a 6.10 ERA. Akin is now getting to make his first start. Abreu won the MVP last year with a .987 OPS and has slugged .518 with 11 homers this season. Grandal is usually one of the best-hitting catchers. And even though he's struggling with average, he still has a robust .393 OBP. Madrigal's primary skill is putting the bat on the ball. He hit .340 in 2020 and has gone .295 with a .341 OBP so far in 2021.
Twins vs. Brad Keller: Nelson Cruz ($5,000), Jorge Polanco ($4,500), Alex Kirilloff ($4,000)
Keller looked solid in nine starts last season, but this year he's slumped to a 5.72 ERA through 10 starts. He's produced a 3.92 FIP during his career, which is decidedly unremarkable. Even though Cruz is now in his forties, he offers truly incredible power with a .523 slugging percentage this season and a .529 mark over his career. Polanco is a switch hitter who hits lefties and righties equally well, but against righties - like Keller - he's managed a .785 OPS since 2019. Kirilloff was one of the best prospects in baseball when the season began, and so far the rookie has really preferred being at home with an .828 OPS in Minnesota.
