Kris Medlen Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

Kris Medlen is a shell of his former self this season with a 16.2 BB% and 32.9% hard hit rate. The Yankees would appear to be in a strong spot tonight, but who the heck are these guys? Mostly cheap is what they are. Brian McCann (109 wRC+, .208 ISO vs RHP since 2015) homered last night and remains in the 3rd slot. He has 129 wRC+ at home since last season and 153 wRC+ with a 43.8 Hard% over the last week. He's affordable on either site for well under $4K. Carlos Beltran is even more affordable and has a 121 wRC+, .203 ISO since last season vs RHP. Brett Gardner (109 wRC+ vs RHP) is more expensive, but if Medlen is going to start giving out free passes, he has a 140 wRC+ at home since 2015 and 160 wRC+ over the last week and might be the one to benefit the most atop the lineup. Lastly, Dustin Ackley has just an 89 wRC+ vs RHP since 2015, but a .191 ISO and moves up to 5th in this lineup with a low price tag. He's also 2B eligible on DraftKings.

Kris Medlen has not pitched very well this season, as he owns an xFIP of 4.99 and an elevated 34.1Hard%. Tonight he will be pitching against the lefty heavy lineup of the Seattle Mariners. Medlen has struggled against lefties over the past two years, as evident by his xFIP of over 5 against LHB since 2015. The Mariners are projected to score 3.85 runs this evening, and should get to Medlen early in this one. Robinson Cano (.519 wOBA - .489 ISO – 257 wRC+ in 47 AB against RHP this season) is arguably the best 2B option on tonight’s slate and should be considered in all formats. Seth Smith (.360 wOBA - .203 ISO – 123 wRC+ career against RHP) is hitting second and is great source of value for the OF position. Also to be considered is Adam Lind (.367 wOBA - .214 ISO – 128 wRC+ career vs RHP), who has made a living crushing RHP.

The Astros may not make contact often, but when they do, they crush the ball. They are the most interesting team in the world. Kris Medlen was very mediocre in his return from Tommy John last year with an ERA and estimators just above four. You might consider taking a chance here with a higher upside pitcher, but Medlen just doesn't miss enough bats to make him worth the risk tonight (16.3 K% last year). He's not a bad pitcher though and perhaps not the best pitcher to attack tonight, but Houston is projected for 4.28 runs tonight. Colby Rasmus is red hot (243 wRC+ last 7 days) with the platoon advantage in the leadoff spot. Carlos Correa (137 wRC+ vs RHP) is a force against RHP and Medlen does not have a career platoon split (around .300 wOBA vs both sides), so a heavily right-handed Houston lineup tonight should not be discounted at the top. Preston Tucker sits with Evan Gattis returning.