Framber Valdez

Houston Astros
Pos: SP | Hand: L
Status: Active
player props
FPTS -0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 SAL $1K $2K $3.1K $4.1K $5.1K $6.1K $7.1K $8.2K $9.2K $10.2K
  • FPTS: 20.5
  • FPTS: 19.75
  • FPTS: 26.75
  • FPTS: 26.15
  • FPTS: 14.6
  • FPTS: 0
  • FPTS: 11
  • FPTS: 0
  • FPTS: 3.75
  • FPTS: 4.6
  • FPTS: 0
  • FPTS: 0
  • FPTS: 13.05
  • FPTS: -3.2
  • FPTS: 12.6
  • FPTS: 11.6
  • SAL: $9.8K
  • SAL: $10.1K
  • SAL: $9.8K
  • SAL: $9.9K
  • SAL: $10.2K
  • SAL: $10.2K
  • SAL: $10.2K
  • SAL: $9.5K
  • SAL: $8.7K
  • SAL: $8.2K
  • SAL: $8.2K
  • SAL: $8K
  • SAL: $8K
  • SAL: $4.5K
  • SAL: $4.5K
  • SAL: --
09/06 09/12 09/17 09/23 09/26 09/28 10/07 10/09 10/16 10/19 10/20 10/23 03/01 03/11 03/17
Date Opp DKSAL FDSAL DKFPTS FDFPTS k ip ab sho w hra l er cg ha 3ba bba sba ibba whip hbp qstart 1ba k/9 2ba
2024-03-17 @ STL -- -- 11.6 24 8 4 22 0 0 1 0 4 0 6 0 2 2 0 2 1 0 4 18 1
2024-03-11 vs. DET $4.5K -- 12.6 21 4 4 15 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 9 1
2024-03-01 @ WSH $4.5K -- -3.2 1 2 1 15 0 0 1 0 3 0 5 0 1 0 0 4.5 1 0 4 13.5 0
2023-10-22 vs. TEX $8K -- 13.05 24 6 5 21 0 0 2 1 3 0 5 0 2 0 0 1.4 0 0 3 10.8 0
2023-10-20 @ TEX $8K $9.4K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-10-18 @ TEX $8.2K -- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-10-16 vs. TEX $8.2K $9.4K 4.6 14 6 2 18 0 0 1 1 4 0 7 0 1 0 0 3 1 0 6 20.25 0
2023-10-08 vs. MIN $8.7K $10.3K 3.75 13 5 4 22 0 0 1 1 5 0 7 0 3 0 0 2.31 0 0 5 10.38 1
2023-10-07 vs. MIN $9.5K $10.6K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-09-27 @ SEA $10.2K $10.6K 11 24 7 4 22 0 0 1 0 3 0 5 0 5 0 0 2.5 0 0 3 15.75 1
2023-09-25 @ SEA $10.2K $11.3K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-09-22 vs. KC $10.2K $11.3K 14.6 28 10 5 28 0 0 0 1 6 0 4 1 3 1 0 1.31 2 0 2 16.88 1
2023-09-17 @ KC $9.9K $11.2K 26.15 46 5 7 26 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 0 1 1 0 0.86 0 1 4 6.43 1
2023-09-11 vs. OAK $9.8K $10.8K 26.75 46 10 7 26 0 0 2 1 3 0 4 0 1 0 0 0.71 0 1 1 12.86 1
2023-09-05 @ TEX $10.1K $10.4K 19.75 40 4 7 31 0 1 0 0 1 0 6 0 4 0 0 1.43 0 1 5 5.14 1
2023-08-30 @ BOS $9.8K $10.8K 20.5 37 5 6 23 0 1 0 0 2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0.83 0 1 2 7.5 3
2023-08-26 @ DET $13K $11K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-08-25 @ DET $10K $11K 24.15 43 6 7 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0.71 1 1 0 7.71 0
2023-08-23 vs. BOS $10.5K $11.1K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-08-19 vs. SEA $10.2K $11.1K 1.45 12 5 5 28 0 0 1 1 6 0 10 1 2 0 0 2.4 1 0 7 9 1
2023-08-18 vs. SEA $11K $10.4K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-08-14 @ MIA $12.4K $10.4K 15.05 30 4 7 30 0 0 2 1 3 0 6 0 1 0 0 0.91 0 1 2 4.7 2
2023-08-12 vs. LAA $11K $10.8K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-08-08 @ BAL $11K $10.8K 3.75 12 3 7 29 0 0 2 0 6 0 8 1 2 1 0 1.43 0 0 4 3.86 1
2023-08-05 @ NYY $11K $10K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-08-02 vs. CLE $11.1K $10K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-08-01 vs. CLE $11.1K $10K 47.65 58 7 9 27 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0.11 0 1 0 7 0
2023-07-29 vs. TB $10.9K $10.3K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-07-26 vs. TEX $10.9K $10.3K -8.35 -4 1 3 22 0 0 2 1 6 0 8 0 2 0 0 2.73 1 0 5 2.45 1
2023-07-21 @ OAK $10.8K $11.2K 9.85 21 4 5 25 0 1 0 0 4 0 6 0 2 1 0 1.6 1 0 5 7.2 1
2023-07-15 @ LAA $9.8K $10.7K 24.85 47 13 6 28 0 0 2 0 5 0 7 0 2 0 0 1.42 0 1 3 18.47 2
2023-07-14 @ LAA $9.6K $10.8K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-07-09 vs. SEA $9.9K $10.8K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-07-08 vs. SEA $9.8K $10.8K 17.3 34 6 6 28 0 0 0 0 2 0 5 0 2 0 0 1.17 0 1 4 9 1
2023-07-06 vs. SEA $10.2K $10.8K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-07-02 @ TEX $9.8K $10.8K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-06-27 @ STL $10.1K $11.2K 10.9 24 6 6 31 0 0 1 1 4 0 8 0 3 1 0 1.83 0 0 5 9 2
2023-06-23 @ LAD $10.2K $11K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-06-20 vs. NYM $10.2K $10.9K 33 55 9 8 28 0 1 0 0 2 0 4 0 1 1 0 0.63 0 1 3 10.12 1
2023-06-19 vs. NYM $10.3K $11.3K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-06-14 vs. WSH $10.3K $11.3K 22.75 40 6 7 26 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 0.71 0 1 4 7.71 1
2023-06-08 @ TOR $10.4K $11.1K 9.85 21 5 5 25 0 0 0 1 3 0 4 0 4 0 0 1.6 1 0 3 9 1
2023-06-02 vs. LAA $10.1K $11.2K 29.55 52 7 7 26 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 0 1 0 0 0.86 1 1 3 9 2
2023-05-27 @ OAK $10.7K $11.6K 21.3 40 5 6 26 0 1 0 0 1 0 4 0 3 1 0 1.17 0 1 1 7.5 3
2023-05-21 vs. OAK $10.8K $11.2K 40.85 58 7 9 31 1 1 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 0 0 0.44 0 1 3 7 1
2023-05-15 vs. CHC $10.7K $10.7K 11.6 24 8 4 22 0 0 1 0 4 0 7 0 2 1 0 2.25 0 0 5 18 1
2023-05-10 @ LAA $10.5K $10.8K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-05-09 @ LAA $10.7K $10.8K 42.2 67 12 8 29 0 1 1 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0.38 0 1 2 13.5 0
2023-05-03 vs. SF $10.5K $10.8K 21.3 40 8 6 22 0 0 0 1 2 0 5 0 2 0 0 1.17 0 1 5 12 0
2023-04-28 vs. PHI $10K $10.5K 10.95 25 3 7 28 0 0 1 1 3 0 8 0 0 0 0 1.14 0 1 4 3.86 3
2023-04-22 @ ATL $10.4K $10K 26.95 49 9 7 29 0 1 2 0 3 0 8 0 0 0 0 1.14 0 1 6 11.57 0
2023-04-19 vs. TOR $10.8K $10K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-04-18 vs. TOR $10.4K $10K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-04-17 vs. TOR $10K $10K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-04-16 vs. TEX $11.8K $10K 21.9 40 7 6 25 0 0 0 1 1 0 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 2 10.5 2
2023-04-15 vs. TEX $10.5K $10K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-04-14 vs. TEX $10.1K $10K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-04-12 @ PIT $24 $10K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-04-11 @ PIT $24 $10K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-04-10 @ PIT $24 $10K 20.35 40 5 7 27 0 1 1 0 2 0 3 0 5 0 0 1.14 1 1 1 6.43 1
2023-04-09 @ MIN $9.7K $9.8K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-04-08 @ MIN $24 $9.8K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-04-07 @ MIN $9.8K $9.8K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-04-05 vs. DET $9.9K $9.8K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-04-04 vs. DET $9.9K $9.8K 24.35 46 9 7 28 0 0 0 1 2 0 8 0 1 0 0 1.29 0 1 7 11.57 1
2023-04-03 vs. DET $9.8K $9.9K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-04-02 vs. CHW $9.2K $9.9K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-04-01 vs. CHW $9K $9.9K 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-03-31 vs. CHW -- -- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023-03-30 vs. CHW -- -- 15.05 27 4 5 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 1.2 1 0 5 7.2 1
2023-03-24 @ MIA -- -- 11.75 20 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 0 1 0 0 0.88 0 0 4 4.76 0
2023-03-18 vs. NYM -- -- 14.9 26 5 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 4 0 2 0 0 1.29 0 0 4 9.64 0
2023-03-13 @ WSH -- -- 12 21 4 4 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 4 0 1 0 0 1.25 0 0 3 9 0
2023-03-07 vs. NYM -- -- 5.15 12 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 6 6 0
2023-03-02 @ STL -- -- 11.9 18 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0.5 0 0 1 9 0
2022-11-05 vs. PHI $8.4K -- 30.5 52 9 6 22 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 0.67 1 1 1 13.5 0
2022-10-29 vs. PHI $8.4K -- 30.05 53 9 6 24 0 1 0 0 1 0 4 0 3 0 0 1.11 0 1 3 12.79 1
2022-10-20 vs. NYY $8.6K -- 35.35 58 9 7 26 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0.57 0 1 3 11.57 1
2022-10-13 vs. SEA $7.9K $10.5K 16.55 29 6 5 24 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 0 3 0 0 1.24 0 0 1 9.53 3
2022-10-05 vs. PHI $10.2K $10.7K 33.45 51 10 5 18 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0.6 0 0 2 18 0
2022-09-30 vs. TB $10.7K $11.2K -3.2 4 2 5 28 0 0 0 1 6 0 9 1 3 0 0 2.25 0 0 6 3.38 2
2022-09-24 @ BAL $10.2K $11.2K 8.8 22 6 5 29 0 0 2 0 4 0 11 0 1 0 0 2.25 0 0 9 10.13 0
2022-09-18 vs. OAK $10.9K $11.4K 24.5 43 7 6 23 0 1 0 0 2 0 4 0 1 0 0 0.83 0 1 3 10.5 1
2022-09-12 @ DET $10.7K $11K 41.05 61 8 9 32 1 1 0 0 0 1 6 0 1 0 0 0.78 0 1 5 8 1
2022-09-06 vs. TEX $10K $11K 27 51 11 6 32 0 0 0 1 2 0 6 0 4 0 0 1.5 0 1 5 14.85 1
2022-08-30 @ TEX $10.1K $10.9K 29.8 52 8 8 30 0 1 2 0 2 0 7 0 0 0 0 0.88 0 1 5 9 0
2022-08-24 vs. MIN $10.4K $10.7K 30.15 52 8 7 27 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 4 1 0 0.86 0 1 1 10.29 1
2022-08-17 @ CHW $10.3K $10.6K 21.75 43 6 7 28 0 1 0 0 2 0 7 0 3 0 0 1.43 0 1 5 7.71 2
2022-08-11 vs. TEX $9.8K $10.4K 32.15 55 8 7 27 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 0 0 0.71 1 1 4 10.29 0
2022-08-05 @ CLE $9.9K $10.4K 11.65 29 3 6 28 0 1 1 0 3 0 7 0 3 0 0 1.58 1 1 5 4.26 1
2022-07-30 vs. SEA $9.7K $10.4K 18.95 37 7 7 27 0 0 0 0 3 0 5 0 1 0 0 0.86 2 1 5 9 0
2022-07-24 @ SEA $8.7K $9.8K 23.6 45 8 6 28 0 1 0 0 3 0 8 1 1 0 0 1.35 0 1 6 10.8 1
2022-07-14 @ LAA $9.7K $10.3K 15.5 34 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 6 0 3 0 0 1.5 1 1 6 9 0
2022-07-09 @ OAK $9.7K $10.7K 18.3 31 3 8 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 4 0 2 0 0 0.75 1 1 3 3.38 1
2022-07-03 vs. LAA $9.1K $10.1K 30.7 55 13 6 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 3 0 5 1 0 1.33 0 1 2 19.5 0
2022-06-28 @ NYM $8.9K $10.2K 27.2 49 5 8 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 4 5.63 2
2022-06-23 @ NYY $9.1K $10.2K 18.5 34 7 6 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 2 0 3 0 0 0.83 0 1 1 10.5 0
2022-06-17 vs. CWS $8.5K $10.1K 20.7 40 7 6 0 0 1 1 0 3 0 8 0 0 0 0 1.33 0 1 6 10.5 1
2022-06-11 vs. MIA $8.9K $9.9K 16.1 34 6 6 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 4 0 3 2 0 1.17 2 1 3 9 1
2022-06-05 @ KC $9.1K $10.4K 19.3 37 5 6 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 4 0 3 0 0 1.17 0 1 3 7.5 0
2022-05-30 @ OAK $8.7K $10.5K 35.75 55 7 9 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 3 0 0 0.56 0 1 1 7 1
2022-05-24 vs. CLE $8.2K $9.9K 17.55 34 4 7 0 0 1 1 0 3 0 7 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 4 5.14 2
2022-05-19 vs. TEX $8.5K $9.7K 26.95 49 7 7 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 6 0 2 1 0 1.14 0 1 5 9 1
2022-05-13 @ WSH $8.2K $8.3K 25.85 48 6 7.2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 7 0 2 0 0 1.17 0 1 7 7.05 0
2022-05-07 vs. DET $7.5K $8K 17.5 37 7 6 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 9 0 1 0 0 1.67 0 1 6 10.5 3
2022-05-01 @ TOR $8.1K $8.4K 9.25 20 2 6.1 0 0 0 1 1 3 0 2 0 2 0 0 0.63 1 1 1 2.84 0
2022-04-25 @ TEX $8.4K $8.7K 19.3 37 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 2 0 0 1 1 1 3 7.5 1
2022-04-19 vs. LAA $10.2K $9.5K -3.45 4 3 4.1 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 8 0 4 0 0 2.77 0 0 7 6.24 1
2022-04-13 @ ARI $7.2K $10K 5.95 15 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 5 0 0 2.33 1 0 2 9 0
2022-04-07 @ LAA $7.9K $8.8K 29.2 48 6 6.2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0.45 0 1 2 8.11 0

Framber Valdez Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

This Top Pitcher's Curveball Should Be a Weapon Tonight

With both sites starting a half hour earlier tonight, the only difference is DraftKings including the second game on the double-header in Miami, making it a seven game slate, though with both pitchers coming directly from the IL with little in the way of rehab starts, they’ll likely both have workload limitations. Considering the remaining 12 pitchers, 25% of them reach $10K tonight on one site or the other with no other pitcher exceeding $9K on both sites. Most expensively on either site, it’s 23 consecutive Quality Starts for Framber Valdez, who’s strikeout rate is up to 23.1% after punching out 11 last time out. He’s the rare pitcher who consistently works deep into games despite marginal control (8.6 BB%). This is because he generates two-thirds (66.7%) of his contact on the ground, allowing just 4.9% Barrels/BBE and erasing a lot of those walks. His 2.64 ERA is below estimators ranging from 3.12 xFIP to a 3.48 DRA, but he plays in front of one of the best defenses in the league (21 Runs Prevented) and his .272 BABIP is actually higher than what the defense allows (.265). While the Tigers have been better against LHP (103 wRC+, 21.9 K%), it comes with no power (7.7 HR/FB) and they are the worst offense in baseball against curveballs since the break (-1.41 wCB/C). Valdez has a good one (28%, -1.2 RV/100, 44.6 Whiff%, .220 wOBA, .212 xwOBA). Valdez is currently the third best projecting pitcher on the board and a middle of the board projected value. For more on tonight’s top two projecting pitchers and values, check out Monday’s PlateIQ Live Blog.

Framber Valdez (20 K-BB%, 59.9 GB%) is tonight's top pitcher

Framer Valdez has a K-BB exactly at 20% with a 59.9 GB%. The exit velocity is at 90.9 mph, but less of a problem with all of the strikeouts. He’s allowed 14 Barrels, but is also near the top of the league in innings pitched. Valdez has recorded seventh inning outs in six of his nine starts. A 4.13 xERA is his only estimator not at least a quarter of a run below his 3.82 ERA. He’s struck out at least seven in four of his last five starts. The Mariners have just a 74 wRC+, 27 K% and 11.7 HR/FB vs LHP this year. The lineup has had some turnover since the start of the season and they have accumulated a few interesting RH bats, but with LHBs below a .300 wOBA and xwOBA against Valdez in his career, he’s unlikely to be facing any RHBs who are above a 120 wRC+ vs LHP since last season. Valdez is the second most expensive pitcher on FanDuel, $100 behind Zach Davies, at exactly $10K, but with a much superior matchup. To recap, a heavy workload with high strikeout upside in a negative run environment: Framber Valdez is your top pitcher on a board without many strong arms on Tuesday night.

That's An Ace

Aaron Nola and Patrick Corbin have the track records and name recognition, but based on matchup and 2020 numbers, Framber Valdez stands out as the top ace on this slate. That is especially true on DraftKings where he comes at a significant discount, but even on FD, I prefer him to Nola and Corbin. Valdez has shown solid strikeout ability at 26% K, with low 5.8% walks and a high 48% ground ball rate adding to his real life effectiveness. He also gets a strong matchup at home against the high strikeout Rangers, making him my top play in both cash games and tournaments.

Framber Valdez has a 21.6 K% and 67.9 GB% since his first start

Framber Valdez generates ground balls (67.9%) with a 21.6 K% as a starter, so it’s natural with a great defense behind him (Astros .269 BABIP) that he should have some success. Yet, he has a 7.32 ERA despite a 3.94 xFIP over this span (35.2 innings) due to an astounding 57.1 HR/FB. He’s allowed just 14 fly balls over this span and eight of them have left the yard. The other issue is a 12.3 BB%, but at least the HR rate can’t possibly be sustained and the walks are factored into the xFIP. Further good news is that over the last 30 days, Valdez has a .322 xwOBA, a mark 54 points better than actual results. Valdez is not a cash game play, but at less than $7K, he does have some upside in this spot. The projected Seattle lineup has four batters above a 26 K% vs LHP this season and also only four above a .165 ISO against southpaws this year. Valdez is a high risk GPP play, just two starts removed from striking out eight of 25 Angels.

Pirates have a 75 wRC+ and 19.6 K-BB% vs LHP

Framber Valdez has a 10.7 K-BB% through 42.1 innings. That’s not very impressive, but estimators are all within a half run of his 3.61 ERA. A 60.2 GB% has really been his dominating trait thus far. That’s allowed him to generate a 5.0% Barrels/BBE mark despite an 89.2 mph aEV, resulting in a .298 xwOBA. Pittsburgh is known as a low power contact prone team. The truth is, they retain only one of those tendencies against LHP this year. They have a team 75 wRC+ and 13.0 Hard-Soft%, but with a 19.6 K-BB% vs LHP. Valdez is not a pitcher with a ton of upside, but he costs less than $7K on DraftKings in a favorable run environment.

Inducing Soft Contact And Groundballs

Valdez draws a really good matchup against the Pirates tonight. The Pirates rank 27th in team wOBA against left-handed pitching this season, and they have the third lowest wRC+. Valdez pitched really well in the three games leading up to the Yankees game last time out. He goes from facing one of the best offenses in baseball to facing one of the bottom offenses. Valdez is a massive ground ball pitcher, and he's done a really good job inducing soft contact. I like the upside in this spot, and I really like his price tag on two pitcher sites.

Low Owned SP2

It's always tough to guess pitch counts for young pitchers, but Valdez has increased the number of pitches he's thrown in each of his three starts. He's been very effective in his three starts, and two of those starts were against LAA. Valdez also draws a great matchup tonight against the Twins. Their projected starting lineup has a .143 ISO with a .302 wOBA and a 22.5% against left-handed pitching this season. Valdez has produced a lot of groundballs, and while he hasn't had a lot of strikeouts, I think the upside is there in this matchup.