Donovan Solano Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

Drew Smyly struck out eight of 23 Pirates in his first start for the Phillies. Pitching in Texas, he’d allowed 19 HRs in 51.1 innings. Weather effects tonight may make Philadelphia, an already power friendly park, feel like Texas tonight. When he’s on, Smyly can miss some bats near the top of the zone (83.7 Z-Contact%), but he’s also an extreme fly ball pitcher (29 GB%), who doesn’t get as many swings outside of the zone as you’d like (42.7 Z-O-Swing%). With more than 40% of his contact above a 95 mph EV, a double digit Barrel rate is essentially a given (10.7% per BBE) with his ground ball rate, resulting in a .381 xwOBA. While the Giants are tied for the worst split on the board vs LHP (76 wRC+), this could be a trouble spot for Smyly, as their increase their HR/FB rate to 14.3% on the road. At a healthy five implied runs, the Giants still sit merely in the middle of the board on Tuesday, however, what they do provide that most other highly projected offenses tonight can’t is a potential patch towards high priced pitching as well. Not a single batter among the first seven in tonight’s projected lineup costs more than $4K on DraftKings or $3K on FanDuel. Thus, despite only Donovan Solano (128 wRC+, .102 ISO, .403) and Tyler Austin (109 wRC+, .267 ISO) showing any proficiency vs LHP over the last calendar year, a group of below average bats behind them (Buster Posey 63 wRC+, .087…yikes!), may still carry some value against a pitcher whom RHBs have hammered for a .378 wOBA and xwOBA, while LHBs have done even better (.493 wOBA, .396 xwOBA).

Playing in hitter friendly Petco Park against a solid pitcher in Joey Lucchesi, the Giants have just a 3.68 implied total and are a dart-throw stack option on a slate full of more obvious options. Fortunately, they will be very low-owned and are probably in a better spot than what their total shows. Lucchesi has been a solid pitcher this year, but he has struggled a bit over the past 30 days with a 5.57 ERA, 4.97 SIERA and just a 9.9% K-BB. Lucchesi has always been more vulnerable vs. righties, as he has a .329 xwOBA allowed vs. RHB compared to a .247 xwOBA vs. LHB since 2018. Tonight the first 6 batters in the Giants’ lineup project to be righties. The Giants have really struggled this year at the plate but have begun to turn it around with a 6th best 110 wRC+ over the past 30 days. Donavan Solano (.396 xwOBA vs. LHP this year), Tyler Austin (.361), Kevin Pillar (.326) are all good options. Buster Posey (.290) has struggled this year but is still a career 150 wRC+ hitter vs. LHP. Austin Slater is another good option, projected to bat 2nd with a career 100 wRC+ vs. LHP and a 142 wRC+ in 60 PA this year. Giants batters are also extremely cheap; all their hitters are $4k or less on Draftkings besides Mike Yastrzemski. If you’re looking to get super contrarian on this slate, the Giants could be a good shot in a GPP.