Although all 30 teams are in action this Wednesday, just eight games are scheduled in the evening for tonight’s main-slate on FanDuel. This article will focus on just the main-slate where there are great contests and plenty of money to be won.

Smaller slates generally present a much more clear path to ownership percentage along with pitching options and hitting stacks. However, we have a lot of great starters this evening and with hitters in fantastic spots. Let’s take a deeper dive into FanDuel’s main-slate this Wednesday, to find some of the best DFS hitters and pitchers.

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Pitchers

Chris Sale (BOS): $11,000 @ BAL
The price tag and ballpark are concerning for Chris Sale. That being said, the matchup is one of the best and the ace appears to be back to his old self. Coming off a 10 strikeout game against the Chicago White Sox, Sale allowed just three hits and one walk through six innings which was good for 58 FanDuel points. After four, less than stellar performances to start the season, Sale has silenced critics with 28 K’s in his last three outings. The biggest reason for the slow start was attributed to a lack of Spring Training innings. He was limited after pitching deep into the 2018 season. There was never a true concern about the skill set or velocity for the Red Sox hurler, he only needed time to get “game ready”. Against a very weak Orioles team, Sale is far and away, the top pitching option tonight and should be considered in all formats for DFS tonight.

Sonny Gray (CIN): $7,400 @ OAK
The Reds starter is by no means the second best option on the slate, nor a safe pitcher for cash games. However, there are a lot of great, expensive hitters to pay up for this evening. If you have the nerve to roster Sonny Gray, you could be sitting at the top of any GPP. Gray has struggled to find consistent success since leaving Oakland and will look to have a great outing against his former team. All of the underlying numbers look good and solid. He has limited home runs to just 0.26 HR/9. His strikeout rate is up to an elite level of 27%. With a 3.60 SIERA and .194 average against, Gray should be having an outstanding season. Yet, he owns a 0-4 record and has failed to throw more than 90 pitches in any start.
Gray has cut down on using his sinker which has led to a much lower home run rate. Hitters (in general) have adjusted their swings to an “uppercut” style swing, leading to more long-balls. Sinkers cross the pitch-zone right into the bat-path with this adjusted swing. So, fewer sinkers mean fewer home runs. The only concern with Sonny Gray is the 9% SwStr rate. As most know, Oakland struggles with breaking balls. If Gray can command his slider, he should be in for a great outing. Hopefully his first start over 90 pitches where he avoids any trouble.

Other Pitchers to consider:

• Clayton Kershaw (LOS): $10,200 vs. ATL
• Tyler Skaggs (LAA): $8,900 @ DET
• Kyle Gibson (MIN): $7,300 @ TOR

Hitters

Nolan Arenado (COL): $4,900 vs. SFG
After a slightly concerning start to the 2018 season, Nolan Arenado has caught fire. Now batting a .310 average, Arenado now has nine home runs, 27 RBI’s, and a .919 OPS. The Rockies third base superstar gets a dream matchup against a very home run prone pitcher. Derek Holland struggles against right-handed power-hitters, owning a .368 wOBA to righties and seven long-balls on the year. As one of the hotter hitters in the league, Arenado is almost a “must-play” against a terrible pitcher in Coors Field.

Trevor Story (COL): $4,700 vs. SFG
A true “rule of thumb” in MLB DFS is to roster both Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story when they face a left-handed pitcher at home. The Rockies shortstop owns a career .471 wOBA to southpaw pitchers at Coors Field, with a .440 ISO and .761 SLG. He has 23 home runs in just 209 at-bats in his short career. The stats are eye-popping and should not be ignored this evening. Both he and Arenado are pricey, however worth paying up for on a smaller slate.

Alex Verdugo (LOS): $2,700 vs. ATL
Mike Foltynewicz will toe the rubber for the Braves tonight against arguably the best offense in the MLB. The Dodgers rank in the top five of nearly every hitting category, which has led to a 24-14 record. Alex Verdugo hits further down in the lineup but provides salary relief with plenty of upside. Batting an impressive .337 average, Verdugo has a great matchup against a pitcher who has yet to show his full potential. Folynewicz has struggled more against left-handed hitters over his career, making Verdugo a great hitting option.

Kyle Schwarber (CHC): $2,400 vs. MIA
One of the top stacks on the night are the Chicago Cubs. Given the ownership towards Boston and Coors Field, the Cubs could go somewhat overlooked. At just $2,400, Kyle Schwarber is another great salary saving hitter who has a lot of power and has yet to catch fire. That being said, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and the rest of the team are smoking hot which should rub off on the rest of the hitters. At low ownership and cost, Schwarber is a fantastic outfielder tonight in both cash and GPP’s.

Other hitters to consider: 

• Cody Bellinger (LOS): $4,900 vs. ATL
• Anthony Rizzo (CHC): $4,300 vs. MIA
• Mookie Betts (BOS): $4,300 @ BAL
• J.D. Davis (BOS): $3,900 @ BAL
• Brandon Belt (SFG): $3,600 @ COL
• Joc Pederson (LOS): $3,500 vs. ATL
• Corey Seager (LOS): $3,000 vs. ATL
• Justin Turner (LOS): $2,900 vs. ATL

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Jeremy Maw is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Jeremy, check out his archive or follow him @j_maw.