This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
It's a fairly balanced Friday slate and while Jacob deGrom makes the most sense at pitcher, there are other ways to go if you want to spend more on hitting. The good news is that weather isn't an issue and that's one less thing to worry about.
PITCHING
There are two big favorites on Friday night's slate, but it's not a must to use either pitcher. Clayton Kershaw ($10,400) has slowed down late in the season with 17 strikeouts in his last three starts while also allowing multiple runs in each of his last five. Zack Greinke ($9,200) may not have the same upside, but he's pitching better and has allowed one run in his last two starts. Greinke has the better matchup as the Angels have a .295 wOBA in the last month against righties. The best bet may be Jacob deGrom ($11,000), who is going seven innings every start and has the upside to go with the price. The Reds are near the bottom of the charts with a 24.8 K% and .300 wOBA against southpaws since the beginning of August.
There aren't any other reasons to spend on a pitcher with a lot of the top guys ending the season on a sour note similar to Kershaw. Mike Foltynewicz ($7,700) doesn't have huge upside, but he's been consistent and has allowed just nine hits in his last three outings. He also has a top matchup as the Giants own a 26.7 K% and .270 OBP against righty arms in the last month. The other mid-range play is Merrill Kelly ($8,500), who had 58 fantasy points against San Diego a few weeks ago. The Padres are struggling with a 26.5 K% and .275 wOBA in the last month against righty hurlers.
The Ks may not be there for Anibal Sanchez ($8,300), but he's gone seven in each of his last two starts and he should put in respectable numbers against the Marlins and their .300 wOBA against righties in the last month. As always, whoever pitches against the Tigers is in play. Dylan Cease ($6,300) had 11 strikeouts a few starts ago and has GPP viability, hitting 30 points in each of his two starts against them. Either way, the Tigers have a 26.5 K% and .305 OBP against righty arms in the last month.
KEY VALUES/CHALK
There isn't an obvious game to stack up on, but there are plenty of places that will receive attention. The biggest favorites are the best place for cash lineups with the Astros against Jaime Barria and Dodgers against Peter Lambert. It's logical to back either team with Barria allowing a .396 wOBA on the road with worse numbers against righties, while Lambert is allowing bad numbers to everyone including a .493 OBP to 73 lefties faced on the road. Yordan Alvarez ($4,200) and Alex Bregman ($4,000) are the top options to target with power and OBPs above .440 against righty arms in the last month. There aren't a ton of value routes, but Yuli Gurriel ($3,600), Aledmys Diaz ($2,800) and Josh Reddick ($2,700) fit the bill. The Dodgers are filled with lefties so the options are endless, though Matt Beaty ($2,700) and Edwin Rios ($2,300) are value options if in the squad.
The Brewers are dealing with injuries and are filled with value against a pitcher who allowed five home runs in 2.2 innings last start. Steven Brault is allowing a .370 OBP to righty bats and while he has good numbers against Milwaukee this year, that could change. Yasmani Grandal ($3,100) and Ryan Braun ($3,000) come at nice prices while sporting OBPs above .400 against lefty arms in the last month. For more value, Tyler Austin ($2,400) and Hernan Perez ($2,300) are also in the mix.
Of course, there are a lot of bad teams with bad pitchers going against each other. Felix Hernandez is allowing a .491 OBP to lefties on the road and .366 wOBA overall. Trey Mancini ($4,000) and Jonathan Villar ($3,600) are at the top of the list in terms of production, though Dwight Smith ($2,900) and Rio Ruiz ($2,600) are better for GPP purposes. On the other side, Richard Bleier and Aaron Brooks are the primary pitchers. With Bleier set for only an inning, I'd focus on lefties against Brooks like Kyle Seager ($3,800), Omar Narvaez ($2,800) and J.P. Crawford ($2,700). Elsewhere, I'd rather stack the White Sox, but the Tigers could still be useful against Dylan Cease, who is allowing a .382 wOBA to lefties. Christin Stewart ($2,800) is the power play, while Jeimer Candelario ($2,700) and Victor Reyes ($2,600) have the best OBPs against righties in the last month, both above .355.
STACKS
White Sox vs. Jordan Zimmermann (Tigers)
(OF Leury Garcia - $2,700), (3B Yoan Moncada - $3,800), (2B Yolmer Sanchez - $2,400)
Zimmermann had a nice August, but he's struggling again and has allowed 24 hits and 12 runs in his last three starts. He's allowing a brutal .393 wOBA at home with a .452 OBP to lefty bats. The White Sox don't have a ton of lefties, but they have enough to be serviceable and Zack Collins ($2,400) is another possibility if he starts.
Twins vs. Eric Skoglund (Royals)
(C Mitch Garver - $3,200), (OF Nelson Cruz - $4,000), (OF Eddie Rosario - $3,400)
Skoglund has struggled in four appearances, highlighted by a 6.75 ERA, and his .360 wOBA allowed to both sides of the plate the past three years isn't going to help against this lineup. The Twins have roped southpaws for a .365 wOBA and .242 ISO since the beginning of August. I'd be willing to use anyone for this stack, but Garver and Cruz are musts, both with power and OBPs above .400 against lefty arms in the last month.
Rangers vs. Mike Fiers (Athletics)
(OF Shin-Soo Choo - $2,800), (OF Nomar Mazara - $2,800), (3B Nick Solak - $3,000)
It's not that I like the Rangers, it's only that Fiers is in the middle of a crisis, having allowed 16 runs (8 HR) in his last 7.2 innings. His overall numbers are better at home, but he gave up four runs last home start. Choo has a .483 OBP in 29 PA against Fiers, while Mazara and Solak have been the most consistent bats against righty arms in the last month with an OBP above .350.
