MLB Top Pitchers 5/24/24

Today’s MLB slate offers some enticing pitching matchups that can help anchor your DFS lineups. With a mix of high strikeout potential and favorable matchups, these pitchers stand out as the top options for today.

Let’s dive into the top MLB DFS pitchers for this slate and also highlight a few under-the-radar plays that could provide excellent value.

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Top MLB DFS Pitchers

1. Corbin Burnes (Orioles) vs. White Sox

Insights: Corbin Burnes has been a strikeout machine and faces a struggling White Sox lineup today. His ability to dominate hitters on both sides of the plate makes him a top DFS option.

Key Points:

• Strikeout Rate: Burnes boasts a 27.2% K rate against lefties and 24.0% against righties.
• Weak Opponent: The White Sox have multiple hitters with high strikeout rates and low xwOBA, making them a favorable matchup.
• Control: Burnes has a respectable 10.0% BB rate against lefties and 6.0% against righties.

Why Burnes? Burnes’ high strikeout potential and control, combined with a favorable matchup against a weak White Sox lineup, make him the top DFS pitcher for today. Expect him to rack up strikeouts and limit runs effectively.

2. Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks) vs. Marlins

Insights: Zac Gallen has been stellar this season, and today’s matchup against the Marlins enhances his DFS appeal. Gallen’s ability to limit power and generate strikeouts is crucial in this matchup.

Key Points:

• Strikeout Rate: Gallen has a 25.1% K rate against lefties and 27.2% against righties.
• Limiting Power: He holds opposing hitters to a .169 ISO against lefties and .127 ISO against righties.
• Consistency: Gallen’s xwOBA is a solid .317 against lefties and .308 against righties.

Why Gallen? Gallen’s consistency and ability to dominate both lefties and righties, combined with the Marlins’ struggles against quality pitching, make him a prime DFS option. His strikeout potential and ability to limit damage are key to a high DFS score.

3. Carlos Rodon (Yankees) vs. Padres

Insights: Carlos Rodon brings an elite strikeout rate and faces a Padres lineup with several high-strikeout hitters. Despite the potential for runs, Rodon’s strikeout upside makes him a strong DFS play.

Key Points:

• Strikeout Rate: Rodon has an impressive 31.4% K rate against lefties and 21.2% against righties.
• Opponent Struggles: The Padres have multiple hitters with high strikeout rates and moderate xwOBA.
• Power Limitation: Rodon allows a .213 ISO against lefties but excels in generating swings and misses.

Why Rodon? Rodon’s ability to generate strikeouts at a high rate, coupled with the Padres’ susceptibility to strikeouts, makes him an excellent DFS option. His strikeout potential provides a high ceiling for DFS players.

4. Cristopher Sanchez (Phillies) vs. Rockies

Insights: Cristopher Sanchez faces a Rockies lineup that struggles on the road, especially against left-handed pitching. His ability to limit power and generate strikeouts makes him a valuable DFS option.

Key Points:

• Strikeout Rate: Sanchez has a 32.2% K rate against lefties and a 21.4% rate against righties.
• Power Limitation: He holds lefties to a .053 ISO and righties to a .176 ISO.
• Matchup: The Rockies have a higher strikeout rate and lower power metrics away from Coors Field.

Why Sanchez? Sanchez’s elite strikeout rate and ability to limit power make him an attractive DFS option against a Rockies lineup that struggles on the road. His potential to dominate both sides of the plate adds to his DFS appeal.

5. Justin Verlander (Astros) vs. Athletics

Insights: Justin Verlander remains a reliable DFS option, and today’s matchup against the Athletics is highly favorable. Verlander’s experience and ability to manage both lefties and righties make him a strong play.

Key Points:

• Strikeout Rate: Verlander has a 21.7% K rate against lefties and 20.5% against righties.
• Control: He maintains a solid walk rate, minimizing free passes.
• Opponent Weakness: The Athletics have one of the weakest lineups, making them a prime target.

Why Verlander? Verlander’s experience and ability to control the game, combined with a favorable matchup against a weak Athletics lineup, make him a top DFS pitcher. His consistent performance and ability to limit damage are key.

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Under the Radar Plays

1. Graham Ashcraft (Reds) vs. Dodgers

Insights: While facing the potent Dodgers lineup is a risk, Ashcraft’s ability to generate ground balls and limit fly balls can provide value in DFS, especially if you’re looking for a contrarian play.

Key Points:

• Ground Ball Rate: High ground ball rate helps limit home runs.
• Potential Value: Lower ownership in DFS contests.

Why Ashcraft? Ashcraft’s ground ball rate can help limit the damage against a powerful Dodgers lineup. If he can induce weak contact, he could provide surprising value in DFS.

2. Ross Stripling (Athletics) vs. Astros

Insights: Ross Stripling faces a tough Astros lineup, but his ability to generate strikeouts and manage both sides of the plate offers under-the-radar potential.

Key Points:

• Strikeout Rate: Solid K rate against both lefties and righties.
• Control: Low walk rate helps minimize free passes.

Why Stripling? Stripling’s ability to generate strikeouts and his control make him a potential value play. While the matchup is tough, his skill set offers upside if he can navigate the Astros’ lineup effectively.

Conclusion

These top pitchers are poised for strong performances based on their matchups and underlying statistics. Whether you’re looking for high strikeout potential, consistent production, or under-the-radar value, these pitchers offer a mix of options to anchor your DFS lineups today.