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DraftKings MLB picks July 25: Plutko, the ninth planet

By Mike Marteny

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 23: Adam Plutko #45 of the Cleveland Indians throws against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Fenway Park on August 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 23: Adam Plutko #45 of the Cleveland Indians throws against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Fenway Park on August 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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DraftKings MLB
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 02: Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (27) delivers the ball in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox on May 2, 2019 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

DraftKings MLB Main Pitching Options:

Top Tier:

Lucas Giolito ($10,900): Giolito’s ERA is markedly worse at home, but back on June 30th, Giolito smothered the Twins at home, allowing just one hit in five innings in a rain truncated outing. Giolito still amassed 22.7 DraftKings points in those five innings though. Those kind of numbers make Giolito the unquestioned ace on the slate.

Jose Berrios ($10,600): The White Sox are only hitting .238 against Berrios in 143 at bats, but they do have six homers and 18 runs to go with the 38 strikeouts. While Berrios has allowed ten runs to the Sox in just 14 innings this year, only four were earned and he has still mustered 33.6 DraftKings points over the two games. Those numbers are just good enough to get me to chase given the strikeout upside here. I understand a fade though. Berrios has a 3.72 ERA in 11 road starts and a 3.77 ERA in five career starts at U.S. Guaranteed Comiskey Cellular Rate Field Park.

Middle Tier:

Brett Anderson ($7,900): This is a pretty penny to pay for Anderson, that’s for sure. However, the Rangers have been a mess against lefties, especially recently. Anderson has picked up 24.8 DraftKings points in two games against Texas this year. That isn’t nearly enough for this price tag. Add in the fact that Anderson is making his return from the IL, and I kind of want to avoid this. That said, pitching is so very thin tonight that Anderson at least has to be considered.

Bargain Plays:

Adam Plutko ($6,700): Plutko and dominance are two words that usually don’t go together, but this is one instance where they do. The Royals are hitting a miserable .102 against Plutko in 49 at bats with just two solo homers to show for their troubles. The 11 strikeouts are nothing to write home about, but for this price, Plutko could really come up with a massive number. He has 31.8 DraftKings points in two starts against the Royals this year.

Wade LeBlanc ($5,800): LeBlanc is as low as I would go tonight. LeBlanc has a 3.94 ERA in 48 home innings and the Tigers don’t have much to be scared of. Detroit does hit lefties much better than righties though. As far as optimal matchups go, this probably isn’t one for LeBlanc. That said, he is the only pitcher under Plutko that is remotely safe tonight.

My picks: Giolito, Plutko; Giolito, LeBlanc