MLB DFS pitching gems August 22: An obvious stud, and a gem

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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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 27: Houston Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers the pitch in the first inning of game between the Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs during a MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park in May 27, 2019, in Houston, TX. Astros defeated Chicago Cubs 5-6. (Photo by Juan DeLeon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

MLB DFS Pitching Plays

Gerrit Cole – One day after we got to use JV in this exact spot, we now get Cole against these Tigers and I am excited. They have a 24.2% K rate against RHP, a .155 ISO, 45% GB rate, and 39% HC. Cole has some exceptional numbers this season, with a 2.78 xFIP, 37% K rate, 39% GB rate, 34.5% HC. He will see mostly RHH, with a 34% K rate, 39% GB rate, and a 32% HC. The price tag is steep, but he will be the most popular arm in cash games, and for good reason.

Pitch Mix – Cole has the best fastball in the game, and he uses it just over 50% of the time, with the slider 27%, curve 18%, and very rarely mixing in the change. He gets 30% whiffs on the fastball, over 40% on the slider, and around 30% on the curve. The slider and curve both get good grounders, with low ISO’s.

As I mentioned earlier, Cole currently has the best fastball in the MLB, it is on average 97 MPH, and recently almost reached 98 MPH on average. The combination of speed, and ten inches of vertical movement is truly a thing of beauty. The curve also gets seven inches of horizontal movement.