Top Tier
Zack Wheeler (PHI) – This is as unoriginal as it gets going with most expense option on DK to kick things off. Sometimes you get what you pay for though and that is the intention here with Wheeler as he faces a Baltimore team that is just playing out the string. The right-hander is squarely in the conversation for the Cy Young and the Phillies need everything they can get out of him as they hold out postseason hope. With 10.38 strikeouts per nine innings, we have built in value to start and then factor in Wheeler’s 14 victories, 2.83 ERA, and 1.02 WHIP and we are really in business. After scuffling through August with a 4.81 ERA, Wheeler has just a 1.02 ERA through three September starts as he looks to keep that success going.
Walker Buehler (LAD) – After shutting Cincinnati out through four innings in his last start, things came apart for Buehler as he allowed two runs over his last three innings, but he did pick up the quality start once again (26 overall) as he gives you a solid floor to go along with a 2.39 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. It’s always concerning to see your pitching taking the mound in Coors Field, but it didn’t seem to phase Buehler in July as he limited the Rockies to just two runs on seven innings while striking out eight. In his first start of the season, the right-hander limited the home team to two runs over six innings, so I have no issues targeting this match-up. After three straight months of putting up a sub-2.00 ERA, Buehler is at 6.19 through three September starts, but I’m banking on the talent and a favorable matchup here.
Mid-Tier
Corey Kluber (NYY) – It’s safe to say that the 2021 season hasn’t gone according to plan for Kluber. That is the good thing about DFS though because we only care about the present, and after his last start, that looks pretty good for a healthy Kluber. The right-hander picked up the victory against Cleveland in his last start with six shutout innings against Cleveland as he scattered four hits and two walks while striking out four and getting eight ground ball outs. When healthy, it’s hard to argue with Kluber’s 3.68 ERA this season, and his 1.28 WHIP is just par for the course as he has struggled with control at times walking four batters per nine innings.
Joe Ryan (MIN) – It’s no secret that I like targeting the Cubs as we close out the season, and I’ll gladly do it with Ryan. The rookie hurler actually faced Chicago in his major league debut in what was the worst outing of his short (three) start career as he allowed three runs over five innings. Ryan rebounded to throw seven shutout innings against Cleveland before allowing one run over five innings against them in a rematch. The success shouldn’t be surprising because Ryan has good career minor league numbers along with prospect pedigree as he was recently dealt for Nelson Cruz. Ryan takes a 2.12 ERA and 0.53 WHIP along with 14 strikeouts over 17.2 innings into his return engagement against the Cubs and we should expect a similar performance once again.
Value Tier
Germán Márquez (COL) – If you go in a different direction from Buehler, why not stick with Coors Field as you look for your second pitcher. Marquez provides salary cap relief, but more importantly, things have gone pretty well for him at home this year with a 3.16 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 94 innings. If you look at the overall ERA (4.16) you might feel a little differently (things really are bad on the road) but I have no issues going with Marquez to save some salary cap space and/or your SP2.
Taylor Hearn (TEX) – After Hearn’s last start, seven runs on eight hits and three walks in 3.1 innings, we aren’t without risk tonight as he takes the mound in Yankee Stadium. Instead, I’d like to focus on the 1.72 ERA Hearn put up in July (3.48 FIP) over 15.2 innings followed by a 2.92 ERA in 24.2 innings for August (4.26 FIP). At $5,100 on DK, the risk is more than baked into the price, but this is still strictly a GPP option.
Cole Irvin (OAK) – This another option best kept for your SP2, but Irvin has had success this season (3.94 ERA and 1.29 WHIP regardless of the fact that there are hitters more expensive than he is tonight. The problem though is that things are going in the wrong direction with a 4.91 ERA in August and 5.87 mark in September. So then why is Irvin even on here? In his last two starts, the left-hander has allowed just three earned runs over 13 innings while working around 13 hits but just two walks while noting that there are also three unearned runs mixed in there. Seattle doesn’t scare me too much as an opponent and Irvin has been slightly better (3.81 ERA) at home.