Daily Fantasy Picks – Pitchers and Teams to Stack in our Lineup Optimizer – 7/18/16
Nick Rodriguez
I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend! We have an 11-game slate on our hands today and it’s going to be a wild one. We have Fernandez and Sale on the mound today – and a game in… Denver. I’ll be targeting my top GPP stacks and pitchers in a more contrarian manner on today’s slate, so lets get right to it!
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Pitching Targets
Jon Lester FD 9900 DK 6900
Opponent – NYM (Matz) Park – @CHC
FD – 38.58 DK – 25.45
I know he’s had it rough in his last two outings allowing 13 runs, but look for him to turn things around. He’s had the All-Star break to regroup, so look for him to start the second half with a [bang]. He owns a 1.08 WHIP, 24.4 K% and 3.01 ERA, so don’t be fooled by his last two starts. He is one of the best pitchers in today’s game and will be low-owned in today’s contests, with Fernandez and Sale on the mound, which is perfect for tournaments! The Mets own a 24.3 K% against left-handed pitchers (2nd in MLB), so don’t be surprised if he scores the most fantasy points tonight. A smart lock into the Fanduel optimizer for some of your exposure.
Mike Fiers FD 9000 DK 9900
Opponent – OAK (Graveman) Park – @OAK
FD – 31.78 DK – 21.04
^ [Edit: Wrong Face!] But we still like the spot he’s in. He will be taking his talents to the Oakland Coliseum, which is one of the friendliest parks for pitchers. Not only does he have that in his favor, but he will be going up against a team struggling against right-handed pitchers. They own a .299 wOBA (28th in MLB) and .142 ISO (26th in MLB). The matchup is a thing of beauty in this contest, but the only problem is his upside. Fiers isn’t a guy that fans a lot of hitters and the A’s SO rate leaves some to be desired, so his ceiling isn’t as high as you’d like it to be. But, I do like his chances to pick up the win and deliver a quality start, so I’ll go ahead and user him in the lineup optimizer for two-pitcher sites.
**Stack Targets**
Detroit Tigers vs.Ricky Nolasco (MIN)
The Tigers will be going up against right-hander, Ricky Nolasco. He isn’t a guy that gives up a ton of homers (1.27 HR/9), but does give up a ton of runs. He owns an ERA just over five to go along with a 4.34 xFIP. The other reason why I love the Tigers in the matchup is because Nolasco is a guy that pitches to contact. He owns an 18.4 K% and going up against a Tigers’ ballclub that owns a .328 wOBA (9th in MLB) against right-handed pitchers won’t help his cause. I know everyone will be attacking Coors, but this is definitely a nice pivot and team to seriously consider stacking in the optimizer.
Houston Astros vs Kendall Graveman (OAK)
Looking for a low-owned or late-night stack? Then look no further than the Houston Astros. They will be going up against right-handed pitcher, Kendall Graveman, who owns a 4.37 ERA to go along with a 4.60 xFIP. He has struggled this season and going up against the Astros certainly won’t help. Sure, he delivered a quality start his last time AND against this Astros’ squad, but the Astros know him well (faced him last time and same division), and we think this is just too perfectly contrarian to pass up. so look for them to put on a show.