FanDuel MLB DFS Breakdown 7/3/19: Rocky Mountain High

FanDuel MLB DFS Breakdown – 7/3/19: Rocky Mountain High

By Joe Metz | Jul 3, 2019

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 14: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated by Trevor Story #27 after hitting a three run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning at Oracle Park on April 14, 2019 in San Francisco, California. The Colorado Rockies defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-0. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

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DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 27: Starting pitcher Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws in the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 27, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

FanDuel MLB – Top Pitchers

Cash: Walker Buehler | LAD | $10,100

While Chris Sale finds himself in an enticing spot tonight, I’ll opt for the $1,100 savings for a similar floor/ceiling combination. Buehler takes on the Arizona Diamondbacks at home who open with an IRT of only 3.1 runs (slate low). Buehler has been a magician this season, posting a 27.2% strikeout rate with a 3.15 xFIP and a 12.2% whiff rate. On top of that, he’s been able to keep the ball on the ground at a respectable rate (42.9%).

Arizona has hit righties well as a team (0.329 wOBA, 0.171 ISO with a 20.0% strikeout rate), but Buehler’s dominance this season should leave no worry. Arizona’s 47% ground-ball rate as a team against righties plays into the hands of Buehler and with his whiff ability, we should see more strikeouts than they’re accustomed to. He checks in as my clear-cut cash option.

GPP: Mike Clevinger | CLE | $9,000

We’ve seen two completely different sides of Clevinger before and after he came off of the DL, but I’m going to trust his full body of work over the last year instead of narrowing in on his last 2 starts. On the season, he still holds an elite 2.19 xFIP with a 41.3% strikeout rate and a 42.3% ground-ball rate. His average exit velocity is still 3.1 mph below league average and his hard-contact rate sits below 40%.

The Royals are also not a match-up to fear, even with the return of Aldaberto Mondesi, as they’ve posted a 0.313 wOBA and 0.157 ISO against righties. Their team 21.9% strikeout rate is better than league-average, but Clevinger brings elite K stuff to the table and should be able to dominate here in a prime buy-low spot.

Honorable Mentions: Chris Sale (1B to Buehler’s 1A in cash, I just prefer the savings), Danny Duffy, Griffin Canning (great salary relief to load up on bats)