MLB

FanDuel Pitching Primer: Thursday 10/8/20

In daily fantasy baseball, success starts with nailing the starting pitcher spot in your lineup.

When compared to hitters, pitching performance tends to be much more predictable and stable throughout the course of the season. You know what you're getting from a top-level ace when you roster him: probably a dominant effort with only one or two implosions per season. In contrast, even the game's best hitters have days at the plate when they go 0-for-4.

As a result, lineup construction should begin with the starting pitcher. Which pitchers should you consider on today's main slate?

High-Salaried Option

Sixto Sanchez, Miami Marlins

Vs Atlanta Braves

FanDuel Salary: $9,500

It's a bit of a scary proposition going heads up with the juggernaut Atlanta Braves offense, but if there's one dude up for the challenge, Sixto Sanchez of the Miami Marlins looks to be our guy.

The young rookie has absolutely sparkled so far in 2020 -- he's recorded a 12.8% swinging-strike rate on the season, logging a solid 3.46 ERA over 39 innings, which ignores the five scoreless innings he threw in his postseason start.

The Braves certainly can post some runs, but with a lack of solid high-end options, Sanchez seems worth paying up for.

Mid-Salaried Play #1

Zack Greinke, Houston Astros

Vs Oakland Athletics
FanDuel Salary: $8,100

In a wild Game 3, the Oakland Athletics bashed their way to a comeback 9-7 victory, and if Zack Greinke of the Houston Astros has anything to do with it, the offense will stop in Game 4.

The aging veteran continues to ignore Father Time and be one of the league's most consistent, quality hurlers in 2020 -- it was the sale old Greinke this year, as he recorded a solid 41.3% ground-ball rate and 24.5% strikeout rate over 67 innings pitched.

Greinke has yet to be confirmed as the starter, since he been dealing with some soreness in his arm. If he does start, you can look to him today.

Mid-Salaried Play #2

Frankie Montas, Oakland Athletics

At Houston Astros
FanDuel Salary: $8,100

After staving off elimination in the Divisional Round yesterday, Frankie Montas of the Oakland Athletics will take the bump against the Houston Astros, and hopefully, he can fare a bit better than teammate Jesus Luzardo did a day ago.

Montas did not enjoy the same level of success during the 2020 sprint season that he showcased in 2019 -- over 53 innings, he recorded a hefty 5.60 ERA, and his 9.7% walk rate was partly to blame.

He did have some silver linings, though. He still generated a ton of swings and misses, noted by his 25.3% strikeout rate on the year. And as a reminder, while the 'Stros have been hot at the dish, this one of the league's worst offenses this season with a dreadful .311 wOBA mark.

Look for Montas to post a solid afternoon and get the A's to Game 5.



Matt Kupferle is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Matt Kupferle also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username MKupferle. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.