MLB Top Pitchers 5/13/24

As we dive into today’s MLB DFS slate, we’re focusing on top pitcher picks that could make all the difference in your lineups. With key insights into their recent performances, matchups, and specific statistics, here’s who to consider:

Kutter Crawford (Red Sox) – $8600

Matchup: Rays @ Red Sox, Fenway Park
Recent Form: Sporting a solid 23.1% K-rate over his last six games, Crawford has shown he can handle pressure, notably striking out 34 over 35.2 innings.
Why He’s a Top Pick:
- Strong against lefties with a 26.8% K-rate in recent games.
- Fenway Park can favor pitchers with his groundball style (GB% of 37.5% against righties).
- Recent game against Giants shows his capability to dominate, posting a zero ER and six strikeouts over 7.0 innings.

Zach Eflin (Rays) – $8200

Matchup: Rays @ Red Sox, Fenway Park
Recent Form: Despite a mixed last outing, Eflin’s ability to minimize hard contact (ISO vR at .163) and impressive 26.9% K-rate against right-handers this season stands out.
Why He’s a Top Pick:
- Effective against righties, important at Fenway.
- Capable of deep outings, providing potential for high DFS points through innings pitched and strikeouts.

Sean Manaea (Mets) – $7200

Matchup: Phillies @ Mets, Citi Field
Recent Form: Manaea has shown he can punch out left-handers with a 33.3% K-rate over his last six games against them.
Why He’s a Top Pick:
- His strikeout upside, particularly against lefties, can rack up DFS points.
- Favorable price point makes him an intriguing value play in a potentially pitcher-friendly environment at Citi Field.

Under the Radar Plays:

Chris Flexen (White Sox) – $5800

- Why Consider: Coming off a strong performance against the Rays with an 8-strikeout game, Flexen’s low price and recent form offer great value. His ability to navigate through lineups despite a tough start to the season shows signs of turning the corner.

Trevor Williams (Nationals) – $7300

- Why Consider: A consistent performer who doesn’t walk many hitters (7.5% BB rate this season), his control can lead to deep game outings, maximizing inning potential.

Key Insights & Matchup Details

Kutter Crawford:

Weather Conditions: Mild temperatures and low precipitation risk at Fenway should provide a stable environment for Crawford to execute his pitches effectively.
Opponent Watch: The Rays have struggled at times this season to consistently score, which could play into Crawford’s strengths, especially given his recent form.

Zach Eflin:

Pitch Arsenal: Eflin relies heavily on his sinker (SI% of 32.5%) and cutter (25.9%), which could be effective against the Red Sox lineup that has shown vulnerability to groundball pitchers.

Sean Manaea:

Critical Stat: Manaea’s high strikeout capability, particularly against lefties, could be crucial in a matchup against a Phillies lineup that has some key left-handed hitters.

Today’s DFS slate offers a mix of high-upside and value pitchers, each bringing something unique to the table. Whether you’re betting on strikeouts with Manaea, stability with Crawford, or seeking value with under-the-radar picks like Flexen, aligning these insights with your lineup strategy could be key to climbing the DFS ranks.