MLB DFS Top Pitchers 5/8/24 Early Slate

Sonny Gray (St. Louis Cardinals) – $10,800

• Matchup: Mets @ Cardinals
• Recent Form: Gray has been exceptional, striking out 42 batters over his last six games, demonstrating a solid 32.3% strikeout rate and a 4.6% walk rate.
• Why He’s a Top Play:
  • Dominance Against Both Sides: With a K% of over 30% against both lefties and righties in recent games, Gray has shown he can dominate any hitter.
  • Consistency: Posting consistently high DFS scores, including outings with 30.6 and 29.3 points against tough teams.
  • Weather and Conditions: Favorable conditions at Busch Stadium today with moderate temperatures and humidity, helping pitching performance.

Dylan Cease (San Diego Padres) – $10,000

• Matchup: Padres @ Cubs
• Recent Form: Cease brings a hefty strikeout ability, highlighted by his last performance with 8 Ks over 6.2 innings.
• Why He’s a Top Play:
  • Strikeout Potential: Cease’s 33.8% K-rate against righties is elite, paired with a low allowed ISO of .042, making him a nightmare for hitters.
  • Control and Velocity: His fastball velocity averages around 96-97 mph, providing him the edge in most matchups.

Tanner Bibee (Cleveland Guardians) – $8,400

• Matchup: Tigers @ Guardians
• Recent Form: Bibee has shown incredible form, especially in his last outing with 9 strikeouts and no earned runs over 7 innings.
• Why He’s a Top Play:
  • Home Advantage: Playing at Progressive Field, where he’s historically performed well.
  • Rising Star: His increasing strikeout rates and ability to limit home runs make him a reliable choice.

Under-the-Radar Picks:

Reese Olson (Detroit Tigers) – $7,500

• Matchup: Tigers @ Guardians
• Insight: Olson has shown potential with a 26.3% strikeout rate against lefties and solid recent performances.
• Why Consider Him:
  • Improvement and Matchup: Facing a Guardians lineup that struggles against right-handed pitching, Olson could be a sneaky play.

Michael Lorenzen (Texas Rangers) – $7,600

• Matchup: Rangers @ Athletics
• Insight: Despite a challenging season, Lorenzen’s last game showed promise with a lower ERA and a good strikeout rate.
• Why Consider Him:
  • Bounce-Back Potential: His ability to induce ground balls and recent adjustments could lead to a strong performance against a weaker Athletics lineup.

Key Insights:

• Weather Conditions: Always check the weather as it significantly impacts pitcher performance, especially wind and humidity.
• Ballpark Factors: Consider how pitcher-friendly the park is. For instance, Progressive Field generally favors pitchers, which boosts Bibee’s and Olson’s value today.
• Recent Form: Pitchers like Gray and Cease who are on hot streaks should be prioritized due to their high ceiling in strikeouts and overall points potential.

By focusing on these top and under-the-radar pitchers, you’re setting up your DFS lineup for success, leveraging both high-floor aces and high-upside value plays. Make sure to adjust your selections based on final lineup announcements and weather updates before the games begin!