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MLB DFS Pitching Gems Of The Day July 6: Mad Max In CY Young Form

By Brandon Lauderback

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 11: Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch during a MLB game between the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 11, 2019 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 11: Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch during a MLB game between the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 11, 2019 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 19: Starting pitcher Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals reacts against the Philadelphia Phillies in game two of a double header at Nationals Park on June 19, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

MLB DFS Pitching – Early Only Pitching Plays

Max Scherzer – Paying up for Max is going to be difficult, but his current form backs up the hefty price tag. In his last eight games, he has given up a total of six runs, averaging ten strikeouts per game, good for an average of 59 FD points per game. He will get a match-up with the Royals at home. Scherzer has an elite K rate, a 16.4% swinging strike rate, and solid contact numbers, especially to RHH. The Royals with throw out only a few lefties, with Gordon, and Mondesi being the only ones with power.

Max uses his Fastball and Slider the most, mixing in his Change, and Curve occasionally. In June, the Slider got 40% whiffs, and the Curve got 53% whiffs, with the Fastball and Slider both getting over 40% GB. KC strikes out about 24% of the time, with only a .157 ISO. This only helps our case for Scherzer. I would expect him to be the highest owned pitcher on the slate by far, and should be a staple in your cash games for today.

Shane Bieber – The Indians really found something special with Justins unconfirmed brother. In only his second MLB season, Shane has been one of the best pitchers in the league, and in my opinion, the best pitcher on this team. After another dominating performance against Baltimore, he now gets a match-up against the Reds, on the road. He should face between three-four LHH, which really helps his cause in terms of run prevention. Either way he has elite strikeout numbers on both sides of the plate. Bieber has a 3.25 SIERA, a 3.20 xFIP, and a 45% GB rate.

He is very similar to Max with his pitch mix, very Fastball and Slider heavy, mixing in the occasional Curve, and Change. The Slider is great, getting over 48% whiffs, and in June, every pitch had above a 50% GB rate, which is just insane. I do worry about the hot bats of Suarez, and Puig for the Reds. This makes Bieber more of a GPP play, especially with Max on the slate.