We have a full afternoon slate today, with nine games from 12:20 p.m. EST until 3:45 p.m. With that being the main MLB DFS slate, let’s go over who the best options are for those games. It’s aces galore, but there are also some wild cards you can make a bargain on. Let’s get into a few picks and pad our wallets.
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Aces on the Hill in MLB DFS
Max Scherzer: $10,100 DK, $11,000 FD
Scherzer is always going to be a popular pick whenever he’s on the hill. He will usually give you distance at the least and can stack up the punchouts. In his first start with the Mets last week, the right-hander shut down his former team in the Nationals. Over six innings, Scherzer struck out six while allowing three runs on three hits and a walk. The Phillies aren’t short of firepower on offense, but they were shut out on Tuesday, with Tylor Megill striking out five and allowing three hits in 5 1/3 innings. Philadelphia hasn’t scored any runs against starters in the last three games. They could break out soon, but Scherzer is the ace the Mets need to win the rubber match.
Max Fried: $9,500 DK, $9,000 FD
Speaking of the Nationals, that’s who this other Max faces. Fried didn’t get off to a good start, as on Opening Day he surrendered five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five against the Reds. But this is as strong a chance for a bounceback as any, and his velocity and spin rates still looked normal last week. Last season, Fried posted a 3.04 ERA while striking out 158 batters in 165 2/3 innings. Outside of an outlier in which they scored 11 runs on Monday, the Nationals have scored just 12 runs in the other five games. Washington has also struck out over 25 percent of the time.
Wild Card Arm
Zach Thompson: $5,200 DK, $6,300 FD
At this price in MLB DFS, Thompson is a very intriguing arm facing the Cubs. He doesn’t allow hard contact as he allowed an Average Exit Velocity of 87.6 mph last season. The Cubs were around league average in that metric last season and had a 97 wRC+ against right-handers after the trade deadline. Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ have been the main source of offense this season, while Suzuki hit two homers on Tuesday. Thompson made his major league debut last season, pitching in 26 games which included 14 starts. He posted a 3.24 ERA, 3.69 FIP, and 7.9 strikeouts per nine. He pitched against the Cubs twice in 2021 and allowed four hits in 10 innings. It could very well be a pitcher’s duel here with Kyle Hendricks getting the ball for the Cubs.
Lumberjacks in MLB DFS
Rafael Devers: $5,700 DK, $4,100
The Boston third baseman is off to a very hot start, as he’s had at least one hit in all five games and is slashing .381/.409/.619 through 23 plate appearances. On Tuesday, he went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Devers will be facing former teammate Eduardo Rodriguez, who allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over four innings while striking out two against the White Sox. Devers hit southpaws pretty well last season, hitting .278 with a .751 OPS, .128 ISO, 104 wRC+, and a 16.3 percent strikeout rate.
Byron Buxton: $5,900 DK, $4,300 FD
All five of Buxton’s hits have been for extra bases, with three homers and two doubles. Although a small sample size (34 games) the Twins’ centerfielder posted a .300 ISO, .997 OPS, and 169 wRC+ against left-handers last season. On Wednesday he faces Clayton Kershaw making his season debut. Kershaw gave up a .432 slugging and 1.48 homers per nine against right-handers in 2021.
Wild Card Bat
Spencer Torkelson: $2,900 DK, $2,200 FD
The Tigers’ rookie finally broke through for his first big league hit on Tuesday, a double, and looks to keep it rolling. He also scored his first major league run and faces Nathan Eovaldi, who gave up three runs on five hits and a walk on Opening Day. Eovaldi did strike out seven in the game, however. Torkelson is a solid dart throw here as he looks to build off his first hit and run. Add him to your lineups while he is still cheap before he really breaks out.
Stacks
Red Sox vs. Eduardo Rodriguez
Dodgers vs. Chris Paddack
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