The Texas Rangers will start a three-game series against the Miami Marlins, and they are riding on thin ice because the margin for error is very slim if they want to make the playoffs this season. The Rangers will have Tyler Mahle on the mound. He has not pitched since June, but prior to injury, Mahle posted a 2.34 earned run average while maintaining a 0.82 ERA at home. That should give the Rangers a boost on Friday. The Marlins will have Janson Junk on the mound, who has a 4.48 ERA. There is not much history between Junk against the Rangers or Mahle against the Marlins.
Here is who to target for the Rangers:
Starting Pitcher Tyler Mahle ($8,200):
At home, Tyler Mahle pitched in eight games, 44 innings, giving up 26 hits, four earned runs, and 40 strikeouts. Due to him not facing any Marlins batters in the past, we can solely go based off his performance on the season. He has looked like a different pitcher at home compared to on the road, posting a 4.36 ERA. In addition to that, against left-handed batters, Mahle has contained them to a .176 batting average. If you don't take the aces in Friday's slate, take Mahle against the Marlins at home.
First Baseman Jake Burger ($3,700):
Jake Burger should be on daily fantasy players' radar on Friday against Janson Junk. Against right-handed pitchers he has a .231 batting average and that may sound mediocre, but he has had 255 at-bats against right-handed pitchers compared to just 82 at-bats against left-handed pitchers. Having said that, it's difficult to predict how Burger will do because he has only faced Junk once in the past, but given the injuries to Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, Burger seems to be a top option for that offense.
Shortstop Josh Smith ($4,000):
Josh Smith is the leadoff again for the Rangers, and he should be on the radar solely based on the amount of at-bats he will see. Smith will have at least four opportunities against the Junk and the Marlins' bullpen. In the past eight games, Smith has accumulated eight hits, six runs, and one run batted in. As a left-handed batter, Smith has an advantage, as Junk has allowed left-handed batters to enjoy a .299 batting average on 197 at-bats. Due to that, Smith should be in DFS lineups for Friday's slate.