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MLB DFS Pitching Gems July 23: Sale Is A Cash Game Lock

By Brandon Lauderback

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 8: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox walks out of the bullpen before a game against the Chicago White Sox on June 8, 2018 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 8: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox walks out of the bullpen before a game against the Chicago White Sox on June 8, 2018 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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DFS PItching
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 02: Merrill Kelly #29 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a first inning pitch against the New York Mets at Chase Field on June 02, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

MLB DFS Pitching Plays

Merrill Kelly – Kelly has a 4.59 xFIP, 18.9% K rate, 43.3% GB rate, and 42% HC. Baltimore has a very high GB rate at 48%, with a 23% K rate, which makes Merrill look better than he probably is. This is not a flashy play, Kelly grinds out innings, going deep into games while getting limited strikeouts. He is a pretty safe play against a very weak offense, with a good chance at a QS, and win bonus. With the value plays looking a little rough on this slate, most people will pay up, and playing Kelly gives you an edge on the rest of the field.

Pitch Mix – He uses a very wide range of pitches, a fastball, curve, cutter, and change all around 23% of the time. More recently the whiffs have been up, with the curve, and change both getting around 35% whiffs. The Cutter and Curve get above 60% GB but his fastball and change get very limited GB which is kinda troubling. Solid vertical movement on his change and fastball at above eight inches. Overall he is a good, but safe punt play to help load up on those high priced bats.