Come one, come all. Welcome to the 2016 MLB season and our first edition of DFS Patrol! Yesterday was the official start, but today is our first day with a full slate. This will be a daily article focusing on the best pitchers to stream in DFS formats. The information applies for regular season formats, so don't feel left out.
There'll be three main sections of this segment: our Pitcher Rater top plays, my value plays, and pitchers to fade. I highly recommend you check out the Pitcher Rater tool as it's an extremely useful tool for finding the diamonds in the rough. Anyways, let's get cracking!
Pitcher Rater Top Plays
Chris Sale (CHW) @ OAK
FanDuel ($10,300) / DraftKings ($10,800)
Sale leads the charge among a group of aces, and for good reason. His 11.82 K/9 rate led all pitchers in 2015 (13.1 K/9 on the road) and he faces an Oakland offense he owns a 41/8 K/BB ratio against in ten starts, including a dominating performance in their last meeting (8 IP, 0 ER, 9 K). He's a great building block if you don't want to fork up for our No. 2 pitcher..
Clayton Kershaw (LAD) @ SD
FanDuel ($11,000) / DraftKings ($12,900)
What do you want me to say? He's the reigning NL Cy Young winner, he's facing a lackluster Padres offense he's dominated (2.25 ERA, 175/62 K/BB ratio in 27 GS). My only complaint is the price tag, but he's the safest floor you'll find.
Value Plays of the Day
Dallas Keuchel (HOU) @ NYY
FanDuel ($9,400) / DraftKings ($9,000)
This isn't exactly "value" but when you can grab an ace below $10,000 it is worth noting. Keuchel has owned the Yankees in his career (24.0 IP, 3 ER, 26/1 K/BB ratio) and faces a Yankees lineup limping into the regular season. Look for Keuchel to play the villain in the Bronx.
Raisel Iglesias (CIN) vs PHI
FanDuel ($6,400) / DraftKings ($8,900)
Someone dropped the ball at FanDuel. Iglesias had a 9.82 K/9 rate in his rookie campaign and gets the hapless Phillies at home. The only concern is Iglesias will not go past 90 pitches, forcing him to do his damage early. Regardless, he's a solid tourney play at the sub-$7K price tag.
Pitchers to Fade
Zack Greinke (ARI) vs COL
FanDuel ($10,100) / DraftKings ($9,000)
I'm higher than most on Greinke for 2016, but this isn't the ideal spot. The Rockies have had success versus Greinke (3.69 ERA) and Chase Field was one of the higher scoring parks in 2015. With so many aces on the board, pass on the Diamondbacks ace, but know better days are ahead.
Felix Hernandez (SEA) @ TEX
FanDuel ($9,100) / DraftKings ($8,800)
I've been anti-Felix all offseason so there's no reason to stop now. He allowed a career-high 23 HR last year and has a 3.77 ERA in his lifetime versus Texas. Add in a tough Cole Hamels matchup and I'm off the King to start 2016.