MLB DFS pitching gems August 15: A Gray day for DFS

DFS: CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 03: Sonny Gray #54 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts after getting the final out in the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park on July 3, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 3-0. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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DFS: CINCINNATI, OH – JUNE 16: Sonny Gray #54 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during a game against the Texas Rangers at Great American Ball Park on June 16, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 11-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

MLB DFS Pitching Plays

Sonny Gray – If you guys have been following my pitching articles, you will notice that almost any time Sonny is on the slate, he will be in my article. With a 3.63 xFIP, 27% K rate, 54.3% GB rate, and 40% HC.

He has made some massive improvements from last season. His numbers are pretty close between LHH, and RHH, but in this game he will see more righties. Sonny has a 27% K rate, 54% GB, and 36% HC. St.Louis has a 21% K rate, .172 ISO, 38% GB, and 42% HC to RHP.

Pitch Mix – Sonny is sinker, and slider heavy, using both just over 30% of the time. The curve around 20% as well, and he has dropped his fastball usage from 50% to start the year, to 10% recently. These are all very good changes, especially since the fastball had a big ISO against it, and his sinker, slider, and curve all have over 50% GB with not much ISO.

The breaking balls were both getting over 50% whiffs most recently, the sinker also got 40% whiffs. That slider, and curve both get nine inches of horizontal movement, and are downright nasty. The price is up on Sonny, but I love him as the most expensive arm on the main slate.