Top-Tier

Max Scherzer, LAD – Scherzer is having another great year with a 15-4 record, a 2.28 ERA, 0.83 WHIP (MLB best), and 232 strikeouts across 174 innings of work. Prior to scoring just 9.9 points on DK in his last start, Scherzer had averaged 33.1 points per game over his last seven games before that one (and had a string of 36.2 innings straight without allowing a run within that span). He has at least six strikeouts in 10 straight starts. He has faced the Padres four times this season and racked up two wins, a 3.76 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, and 34 punch-outs across 26.1 innings against them. 

Frankie Montas, OAK – Montas is having a strong season with 13 wins, a 3.48 ERA, 3.43 FIP, and 200 strikeouts across 181 innings of work. He comes into this game on a groove, pitching seven innings with at least eight Ks in back-to-back outings while scoring at least 26.8 points on DK in both. He has faced the Mariners twice this season and given up a few too many homers (four in 12 innings) but his 15.8 K/9 against them is his best against any team this season. 

Mid-Tier

Alex Wood, SF – Wood has had a nice little season with 10 wins, a 4.00 ERA, 3.55 FIP, and 146 strikeouts across 132.2 innings pitched. He has been pitching pretty well lately with a 3.00 ERA across his past five starts with 31 Ks across 24 innings. He has been a better pitcher at home this year with a 3.86 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, compared to a 4.20 ERA and 1.40 WHIP on the road. He is 2-0 against the Dbacks this year with 25 strikeouts across 21 innings pitched. Arizona has the ninth highest strikeouts rate over the past 14 days and they are 25th in runs scored in that same timeframe. 

Bargain Bin

Taijuan Walker, NYM – Walker has had a very rough second half of the season after making the all-star game with a strong first half, but I still have a bit of interest in him at this price tag with a matchup against the lowly Marlins. He has been much better at home this season with a 3.55 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 8.9 K/9, compared to a 5.82 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 7.7 K/9 on the road. The Marlins have the sixth highest strikeout rate over the past 14 days and they are 28th in runs scored in that same span, so everything about this matchup makes for a great one for Walker. 

Michael Pineda, MIN – Pineda has missed some time with injury this year, but overall he’s been good with a 3.73 ERA. He has had a strong month of September with a 1.93 ERA and a perfect 4-0 record across four starts. He faced the Tigers earlier this year and pitched well, firing six innings of two-run ball while striking out six. Detroit is 27th in runs scored over the past 14 days, so Pineda should be able to keep his strong momentum going and possibly pickup another win as well.