Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: Best MLB Pitcher Stats, Picks for June 11
Any DraftKings owner knows that one of the most crucial components to any lineup is nailing down two starting pitchers to put up maximum fantasy points. On a day where the options are limited, narrowing down two starters is not for the faint of heart.
Thursday's slate doesn't have any standout aces, but it does offer low price points on every pitcher. In fact, there are no hurlers over $9,000 in any matchup to choose from. Here's a look at the best pitchers to target on a day where the options are truly limited.
Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants ($8,100)
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On a normal day, Tim Lincecum likely wouldn't be at the top of any list of starting pitchers. But with such a minimal amount of options, he has the second-highest salary and tops our list.
Lincecum has been somewhat erratic this season, but he still holds six wins and just a 3.29 ERA. While it may come as a surprise to some fans who have watched him struggle over the last few years, Giants manager Bruce Bochy knows it can continue, via Janie McCauley of the Associated Press:
"He has that ability to pitch the way he's pitching. The guy's won two Cy Youngs. You're saying, 'OK, it's not quite the same.' Last year he had a run of four or five starts where he was pitching the way he's pitching right now. Knock on wood he continues that. I'm not surprised. It's a case these guys have the experience and savvy to go with. The stuff may not quite be the same but they're smarter, too.
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Going up against a New York Mets lineup that was recently no-hit by rookie Chris Heston, Lincecum should find success. Holding three outings with 24 or more fantasy points in his last six starts, The Freak should be targeted on Thursday.
Matt Garza, Milwaukee Brewers ($7,000)
Will the real Matt Garza please stand up?
Over the last five starts, we've seen Garza dip as low as putting up a staggering minus-16.3 and as high as 28.2 and 20.2 fantasy points. But Garza has stabilized with two recent outings in which he's given up a total of one earned run.
The only flaw has been his strikeouts over that span, with just four in two starts. Going up against a team that has struck out the 11th-most times in the MLB (457), those numbers should go up. Washington is missing big bats like Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth, so there should be no issue.
But his consistency on the mound will be tested against the Nationals. Up against a lineup that really only features Anthony Rendon and Bryce Harper, Garza should shine again on Thursday for fantasy owners.
Tsuyoshi Wada, Chicago Cubs ($6,800)
Unlike the previous two pitchers mentioned on this list, Tsuyoshi Wada didn't have one of his best starts the last time out. In fact, it was a massive regression from the first three starts in 2015. He gave up more earned runs combined (five) in less innings (3.2) than in any outing this year.
But that's the past. Thursday night is the now.
The 34-year-old second-year pitcher—yes, that's a thing—has been a bargain-bin player outside of his last start. His only drawback might be the surging Cincinnati Reds lineup that he's facing. Wada can be a solid option, or owners can also go with the next name on this list to save even more for big bats.
Wade Miley, Boston Red Sox ($6,600)
Remember Wade Miley as a rookie? The guy who went 16-11 with a 3.33 ERA and a 3.3 WAR (via ESPN.com)? Yeah, it appears he might be finally making a comeback for the Boston Red Sox.
We're going to keep milking Miley until he gives us a reason not to.
Don't let the ballooned ERA fool you; Miley has been one bright spot for the Red Sox lately. In four of his last five starts, Miley has gone at least six innings pitched and allowed two or less earned runs. Then again, one of his worst outings also came against the Baltimore Orioles—the team he faces Thursday.
Miley is proving that he's back in solid form for Boston and can earn his fifth win in six starts against Baltimore. Even against a stout Orioles lineup, Miley should be a solid play for owners looking to stretch the salary cap.
Chris Rusin, Colorado Rockies ($4,900)
He's not one of the most well-known starters in the game, but Chris Rusin has put up solid fantasy numbers. In his first three starts for the Colorado Rockies, Rusin has allowed three total earned runs and amassed at least 15 fantasy points in every game.
The last outing for Rusin was by far his best of 2015. Colorado earned a win behind seven strong innings in which Rusin allowed just two runs with eight strikeouts against the Miami Marlins. Facing the Marlins again on Thursday night, expect similar results for Rusin.
Another decent option is Michael Lorenzen, but Rusin has been far more consistent in fantasy. At just $400 more than Lorenzen, look for Rusin to outplay his salary hit for owners.
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