MLB DFS picks and pivots September 17: Aces and Snakes!

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jake Lamb #22 of the Arizona Diamondbacks (R) gets a pie in his face from teammate Adam Jones following a 7-5 victory against the Miami Marlins during the MLB game at Chase Field on September 16, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. Lamb had a 3-RBI double in the seventh in the Diamondbacks win. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 12: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros reacts in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park on September 12, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

MLB DFS – Tuesday pitching breakdown

Sure we have a game in Coors Field but we have some serious high-end arms on this slate and what really stands out to me is that the high-priced arms also have the benefit of something to play for this late in the season.

The Houston Astros are locked into a tie with the Yankees for the top spot in the American League and with Justin Verlander ($24.9K) chasing down a Cy Young award, this may be the spot to pony up nearly $25K for him against the Rangers. At this point you all know the deal – JV is one of the best strikeout arms in baseball no matter which metric you look at. Verlander’s 35% K rate is tops on the slate and his 37% k rate over the last month is second only to teammate Gerrit Cole‘s.

Verlander has faced Texas five times this season and has gone for 30+ fantasy points in three of his last four trips to the mound, including a 12 strikeout gem his last time facing them. Verlander is one of those rare arms you need to prioritize in DFS and with the Astros still fighting for home field, I think he is the priority play on the entire slate.

Yu Darvish ($21.1K) and the Cubs are the midsts of a Wild Card push and outside of Verlander, may have the best combination of match-up and recent form. Darvish is coming off a masterful 14K, 43 fantasy points performance against the Padres and has now put up double-digit K’s in 2 of his last 5 outings and 30+ fantasy points in 3 of his last 5 trips to the mound.

Darvish will take on a Reds team today he has excelled against in 2019, putting up 21, 27 and 29 fantasy points in three of his four outings against them. Keep an eye on the lineup as Joey Votto was scratched yesterday due to an illness and Josh Van Meter was forced to leave early due to a family medical emergency.

Any left-handed bats you take out of this Reds lineup makes Darvish that much more appealing as is 35% K rate against RHB in 2019 is simply off the charts and part of what supported his ceiling outing against San Diego last time through.