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: MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 28: Devin Smeltzer #31 of the Minnesota Twins delivers his first pitch in his major league debut against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of the interleague game on May 28, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. a(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

MLB DFS Pitching Plays

Devin Smeltzer – One of the top young prospects in the Twins organization, Smeltzer is back in action against the Rangers. He has a 4.74 xFIP, 20% K rate, 40% GB, but 48% HC.

One thing that could benefit him is the Texans have to play a few lefties, which bumps his K rate up to almost 26%. The Rangers have one of the highest K rates in the league, around 27% to LHP. They also hit 45% GB, and overall struggle against lefties.

Pitch Mix – Devin is fastball 53% of the time, then the curve, and change 23%. He is getting limited GB on that fastball, which makes him pretty risky since the Rangers hit fastballs pretty well.

The whiffs are not great, around 20-25%, but I would expect that number to be much higher against this lineup. He has pretty average movement on his pitches, with below average velocity on the fastball. A lot of this data does not sound very convincing on Smeltzer, but taking into account the price tag, and match-up, he could be a great GPP play.