MLB DFS pitching gems August 13: Kershaw is going fishing

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MLB: BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 26: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox is relieved during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 26, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

MLB DFS Pitching Plays

Chris Sale – We get a treat today with a match-up between Sale and Clevinger, and I really like this price tag on Sale. I listed him as my “gem of the day” last time out against the Angels, and he did not disappoint.

With a 2.94 xFIP, 35.3% K rate, 42.5% GB rate, and 38.7% HC, he will get a not so good match-up with Cleveland. They have a low K rate, just below 20% against LHP, but they also hit a lot of GB at a 45% clip. Chris strikes out way more righties, where he will see at least seven, at 36.6%.

Pitch Mix – Sale uses the fastball 37%, slider 34%, and change 23% against RHH. After everyone said that his fastball was broken, he put up 37% whiffs last time out on it. The slider and change have also been around 35% as well.

The GB numbers have varied most of the year, but the slider and change have been between 35%-55% for most of the season. That change is nasty moving 11 inches horizontally, and the slider also gets some really nice reverse movement. I do not suggest this play in cash games, but in GPP’s this is a fantastic pivot off of Kershaw.