DraftKings MLB picks July 24: Will MadBum dominate in Phoenix?

DraftKings MLB Pitcher Plays:

Top Tier:

Justin Verlander ($11,400): That’s a hefty price, but aside from Kyle Seager, the Mariners have been awful against Verlander. If you take out Seager’s stats, they are just 13/66(.197) with no homers, two RBI, and 21 strikeouts. Seattle could be starting at least two rookies as well. Hey, welcome to the majors. Here’s one of the more dominant pitchers of the last 20 years. Good luck!

Shane Bieber ($10,300): Bieber is worth using just because the Royals aren’t healthy. Ryan O’Hearn, Hunter Dozier, Jorge Soler, and Cam Gallagher all tested positive for coronavirus. That leaves the Royals without their two best hitters and only one catcher on the roster. They will be a target of mine over the first week no matter who is pitching against them.

Aaron Nola ($9,100): Here’s an interesting little tidbit: Nola didn’t beat the Marlins last year. He was 0-2 against him. It’s not hardly his fault though. Nola had a 2.08 ERA in those three games and averaged a strikeout per inning. Overall, this incarnation of the Marlins only has four RBI against Nola in 95 at bats without a homer. He’s a nice piece if you’re fading Verlander and chasing bats.

Middle Tier:

Jack Flaherty ($9,000): Flaherty dominated the Pirates last year, allowing just one run in 15 innings against them. He was much better at home than on the road as well. On top of that, the Cardinals have owned Musgrove and only Josh Bell has really had a good crack at Flaherty. He’s my favorite if not using Verlander.

German Marquez ($8,700): Only three current Rangers have faced Marquez before, and it’s not pretty. They have two hits in 23 at bats. Of course, that doesn’t include any of the big hitters. It is worth noting that Marquez’s career road ERA is almost 1.5 runs lower than in Coors and he can really rack up the strikeouts when he’s on. Marquez has been better in the early season. Will this count as early season? I guess we’ll find out!

Chris Paddack ($8,600): The current Arizona roster has just one run and 11 strikeouts against Paddack in 42 at bats. It’s not just them. No matter who is wearing an Arizona uniform, Paddack has owned them. He holds a 1.08 ERA against the Snakes in three career starts, fanning 20 in 16.2 innings. There’s a lot of upside here, even in a hitter’s park.

Madison Bumgarner ($8,400): MadBum has a 3.40 career ERA against the Padres in 35 starts and a 3.13 ERA in 19 starts at Chase Field. That alone is enough to realize that he’s underpriced. Still not convinced? The current Padres are hitting just .150 with five homers and eight runs with 29 strikeouts in 113 at bats. There’s plenty to like about MadBum here in his first start not in a Giants uniform.

Bargain Tier:

Andrew Heaney ($8,000): The A’s are hitting just .154 against Heaney in 78 at bats with 26 strikeouts. They have tagged three homers against him, but nothing comes along with it. I’ll take the massive strikeout upside and be okay with the homer or two he gives up. Heaney averaged 16.7 DraftKings points in his two starts against Oakland last year thanks to the strikeouts.

Brandon Woodruff ($7,700): The Cubs have been decent against Woodruff, but what really stands out to me is the 15 strikeouts in 40 at bats against the current roster. He also hasn’t allowed a homer to anyone on the current roster. The good news ends there though. Historically, the Cubs have looked good against him. Just not the guys you would expect (Rizzo, Schwarber, Bryant, Baez).

Kyle Hendricks ($7,400): Hendricks is a MUCH better pitcher at home, posting a 2.61 ERA in 80 career Wrigley Field starts. Add in the fact that the Brewers only have nine runs against him in 158 strikeouts, and you have a cheap guy who can rack up outs. None of the Brewers have really hit Hendricks well (.082 ISO as a team), so this looks like a good time to use him.