MLB DFS Pitching Gems August 7: Cole for everyone

MLB DFS: HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 07: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros looks toward home plate as he walks off the mound in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Minute Maid Park on June 07, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

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MLB DFS: PORTLAND, ME – AUGUST 27: Boston Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez #57 delivers in a game between the Portland Sea Dogs and New Hampshire Fisher Cats while on a rehab assignment for the Boston Red Sox at Hadlock Field on August 27, 2018 in Portland, Maine. (Photo by Zachary Roy/Getty Images) /

MLB DFS Pitching Plays

Eduardo Rodriguez – E Rod is a very unlikely option for our top pitcher, but I think I can plead a very convincing case for him. He is a reverse splits pitching, meaning he does better against hitter from the opposite side of the plate.

As a left-handed pitcher, he does great against right-handed hitters. E Rod will see a good bit of righties, where he has a 24% K rate, only a .146 ISO, getting 45% GB, and only 28% HC. He will also be pitching at home in Fenway, where the “Green Monster” sits and is an advantage for LHP. KC does not have very many good hitters against LHP, outside of Soler, and Whitt.

Pitch Mix – E Rod is very fastball, and change heavy at around 30% each, mixing in the cutter, slider, and sinker. That change is a lot of the reason why he has such great success to RHH, it gets over 43% whiffs, and 66% GB. in fact, everything other than the fastball got over 50% GB in July.

The change moves over ten inches horizontally, hence the big whiff numbers and high GB rate. KC can struggle to hit change-ups, with a high whiff rate, and hitting a lot of GB. E-Rod only played the Royals once this year, but he did have a good game, so I expect him to put up over 40 FD points in this spot.

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