The purpose of this column is to highlight some players with upside and well-suited for tournaments. While the majority of the hitter picks will likely have power upside, that's not necessarily the case for all the listed options. Other contextual factors such as batting order, ballpark, opposing pitcher, price, speed, etc also come into play, and you'll see these items sprinkled into the write-ups below. Along with that, we'll be gauging the ownership levels, giving you some plausible pivots from the popular choices in a given game slate.

Top GPP Pitcher

Sean Newcomb (L), Braves

FanDuel DraftKings Opp FIP K% GB% Opp Run Total Moneyline
$7,500 $6,500 Giants 4.01 19.2% 52.8% 3.75 +110

Newcomb has made just two major league starts, but he has been very solid thus far, allowing a total of three earned runs over two quality stars, totaling 12.1 innings against the Marlins and Mets with a 10/6 K/BB. Tonight he draws a Giants team that is among the worst in baseball against southpaws, as they own just a .291 wOBA, 91 wRC+, and .118 ISO as a team in this split. Newcomb showed elite upside in the minors, and he owned a 11.55 K/9, 0.47 HR/9, 3.23 FIP, and 12.8% SwStr in 57.2 IP in AAA this season. He has had some issues with command, however, as he also has allowed 5.15 BB/9 in AAA this season. However, the Giants are among the least patient teams in baseball against LHP with just a 7.9% BB rate this season. Pitching in Atlanta has been a nightmare for some, but Newcomb has already made a pair of starts here, and draws a very good matchup tonight. He should be a very low-owned option that will help you fit in any bats you want (including Coors).

Top GPP Hitters

Andrew McCutchen (R), Pirates

FanDuel DraftKings Opp Pitcher
& Handedness
wOBA vs RHP

ISO vs RHP

wRC+ vs RHP

Batting
Order
Team
Run Total
$3,700 $4,500 Junior Guerra - R .314 .179 93 6 4

The Pirates team total has me very confused tonight. Junior Guerra has been poor over his last few starts, allowing six earned runs over 12 innings of work with a 6/8 K/BB ratio (no, that isn't backwards). He is allowing a 1.57 HR/9 over the last 30 days, and McCutcheon and company could be in store for a big night at low ownership. Over the last 30 days, McCutcheon has been tremendous, hitting .375 with 8 HR, a .323 ISO, 1.124 OPS, and a .461 wOBA. Guerra was a pitcher that I was never high on, and it seems that his 10 minutes of fame have passed, and he is looking more and more like the 32-year old who was unable to break into the majors for nearly a decade. I'm expecting the Pirates to jump all over him tonight, and McCutcheon to continue to rake at the plate.

Jose Ramirez (S), Indians

FanDuel DraftKings Opp Pitcher
& Handedness
wOBA vs RHP ISO vs RHP wRC+ vs RHP Batting
Order
Team
Run Total
$4,400 $5,100 Kevin Gausman - R .412 .266 159 3 5.5

Ramirez may just be the best hitter in baseball that nobody ever talks about. He owns elite numbers against RHP this season with a .412 wOBA, .266 ISO, and 159 wRC+, and his plate discipline is elite as well, posting a 0.80 BB/K ratio. Opposing pitcher Kevin Gausman (who is lovingly known as Kevin "Gascan" in some DFS circles) has been nothing short of awful this season, as he owns a 1.56 HR/9, 10.9% BB rate, 15.1% K rate, 1.92 WHIP, 5.50 FIP, all of which are among the worst on the slate. He has allowed a 35% HardHit to hitters from the left side of the plate, as well as an embarrassing 17/21 K/BB rate. This is a recipe for disaster for the Orioles once again, and the Indians make for a very nice stack here tonight.

Mike Zunino (R), Mariners

FanDuel

DraftKings

Opp Pitcher

& Handedness

wOBA vs RHP

ISO vs RHP

wRC+ vs RHP

Batting

Order

Team

Run Total

$3,600

$4,100

Justin Verlander - R

.332

.225

110

8

5

While Justin Verlander may still be dominating off the field (I'm looking at you, Kate Upton), he has become a very hittable pitcher, and his command has easily been the worst of his career. He owns a 4.61 BB/9 and a 1.10 HR/9 on the season, numbers which have been even worse over the last 30 days (5.40 BB/9, 1.35 HR/9). The Mariners may be a sneaky stack tonight, as they own a 5-run total, and Zunino has been one of the hottest hitters on the planet, blasting seven homers in his last 12 games (11 starts). It looks like the former Florida Gator has finally come into his own as a power hitter, and his lineup spot (likely 8th), elevated price, as well as his perceived tough matchup (Verlander) should keep his ownership down tonight on a big slate of games.

Matt Holliday (R), Yankees

FanDuel DraftKings Opp Pitcher
& Handedness
wOBA vs RHP



ISO vs RHP



wRC+ vs RHP



Batting
Order
Team
Run Total
$3,600 $4,400 Ricky Nolasco - R .380 .259 139 4 6

While the Yankees overall should be popular, I'm expecting most of their ownership to fall on guys like Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez. Holliday should go underowned at a stacked 1B position. He has been raking this season against pitchers from both sides, as evidenced by his .380 wOBA and .259 ISO against same-handed pitchers here. He also has a solid history against Ricky Nolasco, with a 12/26 line with 6 XBH and just 2 strikeouts. Nolasco owns a slate-worst 2.39 HR/9, which has been even worse over the last 30 days, ballooning to 2.69/9. You're going to want some pieces of this offense, and with rain in the forecast, we may even get a little ownership discount on the Bronx Bombers here.



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