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MLB DFS pitching gems August 21: Verlander in a dream spot

By Brandon Lauderback

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 8: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros looks on before Game 3 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on Monday, October 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Sargent/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 8: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros looks on before Game 3 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on Monday, October 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Sargent/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – APRIL 20: Luis Castillo #58 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park April 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – APRIL 20: Luis Castillo #58 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park April 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

MLB DFS Pitching Plays

Luis Castillo – Just as we got Sonny Gray in this great match-up, we now get Castillo in the same exact spot. He is sporting pretty similar numbers, which is a complete surprise if we are being honest. Luis has a 3.52 xFIP, 29% K rate, 55.4% GB rate, 36.6% HC.

He will see slightly more RHH, where his K rate takes a slight 3% dip, but he really does a great job at managing contact. With a 62% GB rate, .110 ISO, and 32.7% HC. San Diego against RHP, sports a 23% K rate, 45% GB rate, and .163 ISO.

Pitch Mix  – We will focus on his pitch mix against RHH since he will see so many. Luis does a great job of mixing things up, using the fastball, sinker, change, and slider being used about 25% of the time.

The slider and change are his best pitches by far, getting around 45-55% whiffs on the year each. Both of those are getting over a 60% GB rate, with the fastball, and sinker getting over 40% GB. I really think that Luis has the most upside out of any of the arms on this early slate, and if I were playing it, I would be loading up on Castillo.