There is a tough decision to make on Friday’s big 14-game MLB DFS slate. Do you pay up for one of the high-priced stud pitchers (and which one) or do you get exposure to Coors Field and other good hitting environments? The decision for me comes from answering two more questions. First, are there enough value hitters to fill out a lineup that I am comfortable using? Second, is there a viable cheaper pitching option to pivot to that I am comfortable using? Well, that is enough questions, how about some answers.

As always, be sure to pay close attention to the lineups when they are released and monitor the weather leading up to game time. For reference throughout the season, be sure to bookmark our overview of MLB Park Factors and how to Use Weather to Your Advantage in MLB DFS. Also, check out our GPP and Cash Games Primers to learn more about different daily fantasy game types specific to MLB.

Create DraftKings lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool

Pitcher

Luke Weaver (STL): $5,900 @ SD
The answers to the questions posed in the introduction have me leaning toward paying down at pitcher and spending up with my hitters. I have more confidence in the cheap pitching option, Luke Weaver, than I do in the cheap hitting options required to pay up for a high-priced Ace. Note that I prefer Justin Verlander slightly over Max Scherzer if you don’t trust Weaver. Sure, Weaver has some risk as he has allowed four or more runs in each of his last four outings. However, even in those starts, he is limiting home runs (one) and hard contact (27.4%). Weaver’s matchup on Friday is also ideal with a road date against the Padres who have the highest strikeout rate (27.1%) and rank in the bottom five in wOBA, ISO and wRC+ against right-handed pitching this season. He won’t score 60 FanDuel points like Verlander or Scherzer might but we just need him to reach about 40 FD points to make him well worth is low salary.