MLB Top Pitchers 5/28/24

As we dive into today’s MLB DFS slate, it’s essential to highlight the top pitchers who can anchor your lineups. Here are my top picks, backed by key insights and statistics that make each pitcher a standout play. Let’s also uncover a few under-the-radar options who could provide significant value.

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Top MLB DFS Pitchers

1. Zack Wheeler (Philadelphia Phillies)

• Matchup: @ San Francisco Giants
• Salary: $11,000
• 2023-24 Stats:
  • IP: 132.0 (vR), 127.2 (vL)
  • K%: 32.9% (vR), 22.0% (vL)
  • BB%: 4.0% (vR), 7.2% (vL)
  • ISO: .103 (vR), .159 (vL)
  • wOBA: .222 (vR), .316 (vL)
  • GB%: 46.6% (vR), 37.6% (vL)

Key Insights:

• Wheeler’s strikeout rate against righties (32.9%) is elite, making him a dominant force on the mound.
• His ability to limit hard contact is evident in his low ISO numbers.
• The Giants have struggled against right-handed pitching, giving Wheeler a favorable matchup.

Why He’s a Top Play:

• Wheeler’s combination of high strikeout potential and control makes him a reliable anchor for your DFS lineup. His recent form includes a 42.3% K rate in his last start against the Giants.

2. Freddy Peralta (Milwaukee Brewers)

• Matchup: vs. Chicago Cubs
• Salary: $10,500
• 2023-24 Stats:
  • IP: 115.2 (vL), 106.2 (vR)
  • K%: 28.2% (vL), 33.8% (vR)
  • BB%: 9.4% (vL), 6.3% (vR)
  • ISO: .147 (vL), .187 (vR)
  • wOBA: .283 (vL), .297 (vR)
  • GB%: 42.5% (vL), 40.6% (vR)

Key Insights:

• Peralta excels against both lefties and righties, with impressive strikeout rates.
• The Cubs lineup has shown vulnerability against right-handed pitchers.
• Peralta’s recent form includes a 29.6% K rate in his last start against the Cardinals.

Why He’s a Top Play:

• Peralta’s ability to dominate both sides of the plate and his recent performances make him a solid choice. His strikeout upside provides a high ceiling for DFS points.

3. Max Fried (Atlanta Braves)

• Matchup: vs. Washington Nationals
• Salary: $8,800
• 2023-24 Stats:
  • IP: 115.0 (vR), 21.1 (vL)
  • K%: 23.8% (vR), 22.1% (vL)
  • BB%: 6.3% (vR), 9.6% (vL)
  • ISO: .083 (vR), .110 (vL)
  • wOBA: .243 (vR), .364 (vL)
  • GB%: 61.0% (vR), 64.7% (vL)

Key Insights:

• Fried’s groundball rates are exceptional, reducing the risk of home runs.
• He has been dominant against right-handed hitters, limiting them to a .243 wOBA.
• The Nationals have a lower-powered offense, giving Fried a favorable matchup.

Why He’s a Top Play:

• Fried’s ability to induce ground balls and limit hard contact makes him a safe and high-upside play. His recent game against the Cubs showcased his potential with a 30.0% K rate.

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Under-the-Radar Plays

1. Cole Ragans (Kansas City Royals)

• Matchup: @ Minnesota Twins
• Salary: $10,200
• 2023-24 Stats:
  • IP: 129.0 (vR), 29.0 (vL)
  • K%: 30.8% (vR), 22.9% (vL)
  • BB%: 9.7% (vR), 9.2% (vL)
  • ISO: .093 (vR), .096 (vL)
  • wOBA: .252 (vR), .317 (vL)
  • GB%: 42.2% (vR), 50.6% (vL)

Key Insights:

• Ragans has a strong strikeout rate, especially against right-handed hitters.
• The Twins lineup can be strikeout-prone, enhancing Ragans’ value.
• Ragans’ groundball rate against lefties (50.6%) helps limit damage.

Why He’s a Sneaky Play:

• Ragans’ high strikeout potential and favorable matchup against a strikeout-prone Twins lineup make him a great under-the-radar option with significant upside.

2. Simeon Woods Richardson (Minnesota Twins)

• Matchup: vs. Kansas City Royals
• Salary: $6,800
• 2023-24 Stats:
  • IP: 22.0 (vR), 17.2 (vL)
  • K%: 19.4% (vR), 17.6% (vL)
  • BB%: 4.3% (vR), 8.1% (vL)
  • ISO: .141 (vR), .061 (vL)
  • wOBA: .332 (vR), .252 (vL)
  • GB%: 32.4% (vR), 45.3% (vL)

Key Insights:

• Woods Richardson has shown the ability to limit left-handed hitters, holding them to a .252 wOBA.
• The Royals offense is not particularly powerful, giving him a favorable matchup.
• His low walk rate against righties (4.3%) helps keep runners off base.

Why He’s a Sneaky Play:

• Woods Richardson offers value at a lower salary, with the potential to exceed expectations against a weaker Royals lineup. His ability to control the game and limit damage makes him a viable budget option.

Conclusion

Today’s MLB DFS slate offers a mix of top-tier pitchers and some sneaky, under-the-radar options that can provide significant value. Anchoring your lineup with reliable arms like Zack Wheeler, Freddy Peralta, and Max Fried gives you a solid foundation, while under-the-radar plays like Cole Ragans and Simeon Woods Richardson offer the potential to differentiate your lineup and achieve high returns. Use these insights to build a winning lineup and dominate your DFS contests today!