Below you’ll find DFS and streamer rankings. I classified the pitchers by category and they’re ranked from best to worst in each category. I didn’t write about all the pitchers, but I chose the best options available. You’ll find the pitcher’s name, the DraftKings salary and where the game is being played. The rankings are slanted toward a GPP, but the write-ups provide (hopefully) the information necessary to fill out a double-up lineup.
With a short slate and not very many starting pitcher options I’m going to keep this somewhat brief. I like to play in GPPs and with a slate like Monday’s it’s important to be contrarian. Everyone is going to use Jimmy Nelson today for two reasons: 1) the Phillies matchup and 2) the low salary $6,600. I wrote about Nelson a few days ago and how his statistics are very contradictory. Also, a lot of “experts” are recommending him as the best option so if you want to make real money you cannot use Nelson. Maybe I’m over thinking it and not as many people will use him. If was I playing in a cash game I would use Nelson because even if he blows up it won’t hurt your team because everyone’s team will be effected.
In regards to CJ Wilson, he costs too much, the matchup is neutral and doesn’t have the upside of other pitchers. Also, since he is the most expensive he will likely be used a lot of fantasy owners
Mike Bolsinger gets the Diamondbacks in Arizona. He definitely has strikeout upside, but he walks a lot of batters so runners will be on-base a lot and most importantly, it will not allow him to pitch deep into the game. Also, the Dodgers don’t allow him to throw more than 90 pitches. He’s a pass for me.
Last week I did a blind resume with Clay Buchholz and I said he was a must start against the Orioles and he proceeded to pitch a great game. The reason why I’m luke warm about using him is his price is a little high considering the matchup. The Blue Jays, at home, have the second best wOBA and the best hard hit rate in the majors. Buchholz’s hard hit rate 15.9 percent is the 21st best in the majors among qualified starting pitchers so it’s possible he could have a great game. He’s one of the three pitchers I’m considering, but I’m leaning towards two others (below). *Please read to the end of the piece because I haven’t decided who my two pitchers will be yet.
Originally I was planning on using Nathan Karns for two reasons. The first is Vegas had the Indians-Rays game as the lowest over/under today. The second, in his last ten starts he has a 22 percent strikeout rate and 7.6 percent walk rate (with a 2.54 ERA and 1.218 WHIP). He’s an above average ground ball pitcher, but he allows a lot hard contact (19.7 percent). He’s been a much better pitcher on the road than at home so he has not benefited from the ballpark (yet). Instead, he’s probably benefited from a really good defense and luck. If you look at his past ten starts he’s pitched very well; his two worst starts came, oddly, against the Angels in a seven day span.
Cody Anderson will probably be overlooked because he’s only had one start in the majors and was not a highly touted prospect. I love his price point, the matchup and skill set. He doesn’t have huge upside, but at his price point ($5,700) he doesn’t need to. If he scores 15-17 points he’s still providing a slightly positive ROI. I believe the odds of him doing so are just as high as other higher priced pitchers.
Conclusion
Cody Anderson will be my number one pitcher and I still have not decided on Nathan Karns or Clay Buchholz. I’m leaning towards Karns because with so many good hitting matchups I may want to load up on premium hitters. If Buchholz was $500 cheaper it would be a no brainer to use him. I’ll know who my second starting pitcher after my afternoon run. Check out my Twitter for who I choose.
