DFS Pitching Options for 6/10: Make the Minor Move?

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It’s a top-heavy slate with a pair of aces toeing the bump. Weather will have to be watched in the Northeast with some rain expected.

Top-Tier Arms

Chris Sale, Rangers at Red Sox ($11,800 FD, $10,900 DK): That price on DK seems a bit low. Sale is coming off arguably his best start of the season, a complete-game shutout against the Royals, in which he walked none and struck out 12. Amazingly, he has not won at Fenway Park this season. In his career, he is 7-2 with a 2.82 ERA against the Rangers. On the season, Texas strikes out the fourth most frequently against lefties at 26.4%. You have to like the chances of Sale getting to 10 strikeouts, though an almost guaranteed two strikeouts are taken out of the lineup with Joey Gallo not playing. Of course you can look at it the other way as well, Gallo is a big bat that could hurt Sale.

Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers at Angels ($10,700 FD, $10,400 DK): The Dodgers have a “road” game in Anaheim against the Angels. Ryu continues his All-Star and Cy Young candidacy campaigns when he gets the ball for the first game of a two-game interleague series. He’s made only three career starts against the Angels, but is 2-0 with an 0.83 ERA. On the season, Ryu is 9-1 with a 1.35 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP. Don’t look for a high strikeout outing from Ryu, as the Angels are the hardest team to K against lefties at only 15.3%. This last stat makes him a GPP-only option for me.

Middle-Tier Arms

Mike Minor, Rangers at Red Sox ($9,200 FD, $9,400 DK): The old theory is that Fenway is a place that lefties want nothing to do with, but several good lefties have called it home the past few decades (starting with Bruce Hurst, go to Jon Lester, Now Chris Sale and David Price) and learned how to pitch there. Mike Minor may be the classic example of the crafty lefty getting better as he gets older. Minor is 3-2 with a 2.08 ERA in his last eight starts and 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA in six starts on the road in 2019. In two starts against the World Series champs last season, he was 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA. This season, the Red Sox’s lineup is not as deep nor scary and they still might be without one of their best righty bats in J.D. Martinez. Opponents are hitting .190 off Minor with runners in scoring position. Minor is a GPP-only option for me tonight due to a combination of his price and the potential for the Red Sox bats to break out.

Griffin Canning. Dodgers at Angels ($7,800 FD, $8,400 DK): Now here is another GPP-only play because it against the Dodgers. One thing to keep in mind about the Dave Roberts led team: They bashed the ball in April. They were very good in May. Their bats have come back down to earth in June. Canning seems more mature for his young age (22 years old) and has a plan how to attack hitters. He struck out a career-high eight batters over six innings against the A’s (if you watch him pitch, pay attention to his swing-and-miss slider, one of the best in the game), but he gave up four runs in a loss. He has a 2.25 ERA over his last four outings.

Bargain Basement Arms

Jason Vargas, Mets at Yankees ($6,800 FD, $7.600): The pitcher that everyone loves to pick on in DFS is coming off a complete game shutout. in the middle of April, Vargas owned a 14.21 ERA, living up to the moniker of the favorite pitcher to stack against. Since then, he’s posted a 1.85 ERA in seven starts, including his eighth career shutout last time out against the Giants. Wait a minute….Vargas has eight career shutouts? Eight!!! Wow, I guess you really do learn something new every day. Another GPP-only option for me tonight in Yankee Stadium.