MLB DFS Pitching Primer: Friday, July 26 – Zach & Zack
By Dan Palyo
MLB DFS Pitching Primer: Cash Game Ace(s)
Lance Lynn (10k FD, 10.8k DK) @ Oakland
I’m rolling with two cash game options today as both Lynn and Greinke have solid match-ups and are priced similarly on both sites. I will probably roll Lance Lynn on FanDuel tonight as my top option as he is cheaper than Greinke and in my opinion, has a higher ceiling tonight in Oakland.
Lynn continues to rack up big strikeout totals this year, even against teams that aren’t normally strikeout targets. His 12 K’s against Houston last week gives him 31 against the Astros this season in 21 innings and Houston is one of better teams in the league as far as making contact.
This matters because some will look at Oakland’s very average 21% K rate and say “there’s not a lot of strikeout upside targeting the A’s.” Lance Lynn has been so good this season that I really don’t care what the opposing team’s strikeout percentage looks like.
For me, this is a great match-up as Lynn will see mainly righties in this Oakland lineup and he has a major ballpark upgrade here pitching in Oakland instead of his hitter-friendly home park.
Zack Greinke (10.2k FD, 10.5k DK) @ Miami
I think Greinke is probably going to end up the chalkier option in cash games based on Miami’s slate-worst implied run total and the fact that everyone in DFS is just used to penciling in good righties against the Marlins in cash. I certainly have no problem with using Greinke here as he’s having a solid year for Arizona with a sub 3 ERA and a sparkling 0.95 WHIP.
He gets a ballpark upgrade on the road here and faces a Marlins team that is striking out over 24% of the time. He’s a -155 favorite on the road and this game has by far the lowest total on the board. This play screams safety but also may lack a little upside since Greinke has seen his strikeout come down to 23% this season.