MLB DFS pitching gems August 2: Lance will make them dance

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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 27: Pitcher Jason Vargas #40 of the New York Mets wipes off his head after the sixth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on September 27, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Braves 4-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

MLB DFS Pitching Plays

Jason Vargas – Everyone’s favorite Gotham villain is back, except this time the “Penguin” isn’t starting for the Mets. He will suit up for the Phillies, and pitch against the White Sox who are struggling against even the worst of pitchers.

I would say that Vargas is basically in that category, and while he is not a great pitcher, he makes for a solid SP2 on DK, or an even cheaper pivot off of Matz on FD. He has better numbers against RHH, with a .174 ISO, 21.2% K rate, and 40% GB. These White Sox hitters are very bad, hitting 50% GB to LHH, with a 25% K rate, and .159 ISO.

Pitch Mix – Vargas throws quite a bit of changes to RHH at 45%, with a fastball around 29%, dropping the sinker usage, and mixing in the curve. His change is getting over 32% whiffs all year, and the Curve had a massive bump in whiffs above 50% in July.

The GB took a slight dip, but Chicago hits so many that I am not concerned about it. Vargas throws extremely slow, with a fastball averaging a whopping 83 MPH in July. The movement is okay, not great. Normally I try to avoid playing Vargas, but honestly, any pitcher is in play against this team.