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MLB DFS Pithing Gems July 22: Can Sonny Shine Once Again?

By Brandon Lauderback

DFS: CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 03: Sonny Gray #54 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts after getting the final out in the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park on July 3, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 3-0. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
DFS: CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 03: Sonny Gray #54 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts after getting the final out in the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park on July 3, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 3-0. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – JUNE 16: Sonny Gray #54 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during a game against the Texas Rangers at Great American Ball Park on June 16, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 11-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

MLB DFS Pitching Plays

Sonny Gray – For those who read Dan’s Pitching Primer, you should know he is also one of the very few who have been touting Sonny Gray this season. I also have been writing up Gray all year, and on several occasions, have been roasted on Twitter for the call. The bottom line is, he is the second-best arm on this team, and the move to Cincinnati has rejuvenated his career. He has a 3.82 xFIP, 24.3% K rate, 53.3% GB rate, and 38.3% HC.

Should I mention that against Milwaukee last game, Gray put up 12 strikeouts, allowing zero ER in eight IP, scoring a massive 70 FD points. Should we expect a repeat performance? Of course not, but that doesn’t mean he should be as low owned as I am sure he will end up. Sonny has great numbers on both sides of the plate, although he does strike out slightly more LHH, giving up a lower ISO, and MIL strikes out quite a bit.

Pitch Mix – Sonny uses a great variety of pitches, using the curve the most, then the slider, fastball and sinker. His breaking pitches are downright filthy and are getting massive whiffs to back up his strikeouts, with the Slider getting 70% whiffs this month, and the curve getting 40%. All four of those pitches mentioned, have above a 45% GB rate as well. Those breaking pitches each see around eight-nine inches of horizontal movement. He has been doing an amazing job of limiting the long ball, while getting plenty of swinging strikes, and should be priced higher in this high upside spot.