Our MLB Breakdown offers data-driven analysis using the FantasyLabs Tools and predictive metrics to highlight notable players.
Tuesday features a 15-game main slate starting at 6:40 p.m. ET.
Pitchers
Studs
Two pitchers on today’s slate are priced above $10,000 on FanDuel:
- Yu Darvish (R) $11,300, CHC vs CLE
- Carlos Carrasco (R) $10,500, CLE @ CHC
Darvish headlines the Tuesday slate as the highest-priced pitcher.
He has been lights out in 2020 and will look to continue his brilliant play on Tuesday against the Cleveland Indians. The 33-year-old has a 1.77 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 56 innings pitched. Darvish’s strikeout per nine innings pitched (K/9) has risen for the third year in a row to 11.6.
Darvish is having a career year in 2020 and his Base Performance Value (BPV) is at a career-high of 182. His average fastball velocity is at 95.5 up 1.3 MPH from last year. Darvish has never thrown harder or looked better.
The Cleveland Indians have been relying solely on pitching as their offense has struggled in 2020 ranking 27th in the MLB in runs scored per game. This is a great matchup for Darvish who has the second-highest projected points per our MLB Models.
Darvish is on a mission in 2020 and there is no reason to step in front of him in this one. Back Darvish with confidence as he looks to build his resume for his first Cy Young award.
Another Stud pitcher on the slate is Carlos Carrasco who will face off against Yu Darvish and the Chicago Cubs. The 33-year-old is having a great year after a tough battle with cancer in 2019. He has a 3.12 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 116 BPV in 49 innings pitched.
Carrasco is back to his dominant self and is having his best season since 2017. Unfortunately, his team has not been able to support him offensively and he comes into this start with a 2-4 record.
It will be tough for Carrasco to grab the win in this one which brings down his value slightly and makes it tough to pay such a steep price. Look for a pitcher’s duel at Wrigley on Tuesday.
Values
Jack Flaherty has been nothing short of great in his young career. The 24-year-old comes into his seventh start of 2020 with a 3.08 ERA and 3.59 xFIP. The righty has increased his average fastball to a career-best 93.8 mph.
Flaherty is a strong option today — according to the Bales Model he has the highest rating of 64.54. Flaherty has a great matchup on Tuesday as he will face off against the Brewers. The Brewers come into this contest with just 184 runs scored on the year, which ranks 28th in the MLB.
The Brewers are implied to score 3.7 runs, which is the lowest on today’s slate. Back Flaherty with confidence as he will look to build on his 3-1 record and strong 2020 campaign. Flaherty can be found on FanDuel at $9,400.
Matt Boyd has an ugly 7.63 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 2020. Boyd has been extremely unlucky in 2020 as his home run/fly ratio is at 24.5%. In his career, this number has been closer to 12%. Boyd has an expected ERA of 4.66 on the year and his xFIP is at 4.62.
The 29-year-old will face off against the Kansas City Royals who rank in the bottom third in runs scored. Boyd has the third-highest rating according to the Bales Model at 51.66. Boyd can be found on FanDuel at $8,000.
Fastballs
Joe Musgrove has not been very good this season, illustrated by his 5.40 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. The 27-year-old has been unlucky as he has a 4.32 xERA on the year. He faces off against a Cincinnati Reds team that has scored the 3.97 runs per game in 2020. That ranks 28th in all of MLB. Musgrove can be found at FanDuel at $8,000.
Notable Stacks
With the Lineup Builder, it’s easy to incorporate stacks into DFS lineups. Today’s top four-man FanDuel stack (per the Bales Model) belongs to the Oakland Athletics:
- Tommy La Stella(L)
- Marcus Semien(R)
- Stephen Piscotty(R)
- Matt Olson(L)
Total Salary: $14,600
The A’s are implied for 6.6 runs, which ranks first on Tuesday’s slate. Moreover, they are facing a Colorado Rockies team that is ranked 29th in runs allowed this season.
Semien stands out as a value at $3,500 and boasts a bargain rating of 88%. The 29-year-old has been hitting for more power lately after a slow start to the year. He has seven Home Runs in his past 120 at-bats. Semien is hitting .333 this week with a home run and is projected to hit second in Tuesday’s lineup. Semien has the sixth-highest rating on the Bales Model at 76.75. Look for Semien to get on base early and often.
On DraftKings, the Houston Astros are a strong four-man stack:
- George Springer(R)
- Alex Bregman(R)
- Michael Brantley(L)
- Yulieski Gurriel(R)
Total Salary: $17,500
The Astros are implied for 5.3 runs, which ranks third on Monday’s slate.
George Springer stands out as a value at $4,600 and boasts a ceiling of 33.60. The 30-year-old has been heating up since returning from the IL, hitting .290 with four home runs. Springer is projected to hit leadoff, which will give him ample opportunities against Kyle Cody and the Rangers
Other Batters
Paul Goldschmidt stands out on FanDuel as he is priced at $3,600 against Milwaukee left-hander Brett Anderson. Goldschmidt has two home runs and has hit .533 against Anderson in 15 career at-bats. Look for Goldschmidt to continue his hot hitting ways against Anderson and the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.
Jeff McNeil is another strong option and can be found on FanDuel at $3,200. The 28-year-old is hitting .319 with four home runs in 2020 and faces off today against Phillies righty Jake Arrieta. McNeil has hit .565 in 23 at-bats in his career against Arrieta. Look to back McNeil with confidence in this one.
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Pictured above: Yu Darvish of the Chicago Cubs
Photo Credit: Masterpress/Getty Images
