The following Spotlight Pitchers were selected by Awesemo.com writer Jake Hari. For more analysis on the slate, check out Awesemo’s Rankings and Ownership Projections.
Nick Kingham ($7,900 DK/$7,700 FD)
While Kingham has given up runs in most of his outings, he’s had no trouble missing bats, and we just saw last night what a good righty can do to them if he brings his best stuff. The Brewers have the 3rd-highest K-rate against righties over the last month (26.4%) while posting mediocre OBP and wRC+ numbers in that time. Kingham has been shutting down righties with success, posting a 29.5% K-rate with a 3.11 xFIP and a 0.91 WHIP. If he can limit the runs, Kingham should be able to rack up enough strikeouts to pay off his $7,900 salary on DraftKings.
Jake Odorizzi ($7,600 DK/$7,200 FD)
Odorizzi is someone I feel is underrated, and for $7,600 in this home matchup against the Rays, he’s got my attention. He struggles at times giving up quality contact, but Tampa Bay is striking out over 25% of the time against righties over the last month and have a bottom-5 ISO against them on the year. Odorizzi has a respectable 11.1% Swinging-Strike rate and an above-average O-Swing rate, so the ability to miss bats is certainly there for him. The Twins have given him a long leash, as he’s gone at least 101 pitches (and up to 116 pitches) in each of his last 4 outings. At $7,600 on DraftKings, he makes for a nice SP2 option with some upside if you’re getting away from the expensive guys like Bumgarner and Buehler.
Clayton Richard ($5,600 DK/$7,600 FD)
While the addition of Kris Bryant is worrisome, the Cubs have been awful against lefties this year outside of Wrigley, posting numbers like a 25.3% K-rate, .110 ISO, and 72 wRC+. Richard should be somewhat low-owned tonight because there aren’t many studs on the slate, but at home this year, he has a 3.26 xFIP and a fantastic 60% Ground Ball rate, as his strikeout rate is higher and his WHIP is lower in Petco as you’d expect. Pitching in one of the most favorable parks and likely to have low ownership, Richard is an excellent punt to allow you to get all of the top bats of your choosing.
