Spotlight Pitchers: MLB DFS Picks for DraftKings + FanDuel | Max Scherzer + Value Options

Scherzer stands alone as the ace of tonight’s slate, and the ownership is going to be huge without many other options. He wasn’t his dominant self in his last start against the Marlins, lasting just 4.2 innings while giving up four earned and walking two. It was an uncharacteristic start for the three-time Cy Young Award winner and the first time of the 2020 season he didn’t last past the fifth inning. With that being said, Scherzer has been over 105 pitches in three straight starts, so we know the leash is completely off. When he’s able to command his fastball and slider, there still might not be a better pitcher in the MLB.

He’ll face off with the Red Sox tonight, who have been downright terrible in 2020. They rank 20th against right-handed pitching with a .313 wOBA and 24.6% strikeout rate. Scherzer will still have his work cut out for him in the middle of the order with some lethal weapons, but the rest of the lineup is filled with high-strikeout, low-OBP bats that have been ice cold. The Nationals are relying on Scherzer heavily every fifth day to deliver a win, as every game is extremely important at this point in the year. There isn’t much of an opportunity cost on this slate, and the upside Scherzer brings to the table is tough to pass up.

The 2020 season has been a weird one for Heaney, and the last three starts have been the toughest yet (14 combined earned runs). Still, the numbers show a guy with a huge ceiling. He’s striking out 9.51 batters per nine innings, and the 4.26 xFIP is not so bad. He’s been bitten by some bad luck, and the .338 BABIP has been on its way down of late. The issue has been his command, and he’s likely going to break a slate when he does find that fastball. If he’s going to right the ship, it’s going to be against this Seattle Mariners team.

Yarbrough typically hasn’t gone deep this year, but that changed in his last start. He went 6.1 innings against the Blue Jays with six strikeouts but allowed four earned runs. He was stretched out to 97 pitches in the start and jumps right into the value discussion tonight if we’re expecting another 90 pitches or more. The Marlins aren’t bad against left-handed pitching, but they’re a middling lineup at best and can be shut down by anyone. Yarbrough is also going to be under-owned as that 17.5 fantasy points per game next to his name doesn’t look pretty. The majority of his appearances have come out of the bullpen, though, so it doesn’t really matter. If you feel like living on a limb, Yarbrough is a brave choice in GPPs.