The week opens with a seven-game main slate.
Check out today’s MLB Grand Slam contest at FanDuel
Monday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Eduardo Rodriguez nudges out Sandy Alcantara for top pitcher honors tonight when factoring in salary. However, Alcantara's an elite GPP pivot off of E-Rod. Additionally, there's enough value among the hitters to free up the requisite salary needed to roster Adam Wainwright as an SP2 in cash games on DraftKings. Thus, that's my suggestion. Finally, Jake Odorizzi's a matchup-driven GPP option.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS) at SEA
Bad luck's largely to blame for E-Rod's ugly 5.15 ERA this year. But, thankfully, the tide's turned down the stretch. According to FanGraphs, in his last seven starts totaling 36.2 innings, he's recorded a 3.93 ERA that's identical to his 3.93 xFIP. Further, he's punched out a quarter of the batters he's faced.
The week opens with a seven-game main slate.
Check out today’s MLB Grand Slam contest at FanDuel
Monday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Eduardo Rodriguez nudges out Sandy Alcantara for top pitcher honors tonight when factoring in salary. However, Alcantara's an elite GPP pivot off of E-Rod. Additionally, there's enough value among the hitters to free up the requisite salary needed to roster Adam Wainwright as an SP2 in cash games on DraftKings. Thus, that's my suggestion. Finally, Jake Odorizzi's a matchup-driven GPP option.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS) at SEA
Bad luck's largely to blame for E-Rod's ugly 5.15 ERA this year. But, thankfully, the tide's turned down the stretch. According to FanGraphs, in his last seven starts totaling 36.2 innings, he's recorded a 3.93 ERA that's identical to his 3.93 xFIP. Further, he's punched out a quarter of the batters he's faced.
The strikeouts are especially noteworthy because of his matchup. The Mariners have struck out in 25.4% of their plate appearances against lefties this season. In addition, the betting info supports using him. To that point, Betting Pros lists the Red Sox as -125 favorites in a game with a pitcher-friendly total of 8.0 runs.
Adam Wainwright (STL) at NYM
Waino's in basically a pick 'em tonight. However, the game total of 8.5 runs and park factors are stellar. In fact, according to our MLB Park Factors page, Citi Field ranks dead last in park factor for runs (0.841). The matchup's nifty, too. The Mets rank 26th in wRC+ (77) since the trade line and merely midpack against righties for the year.
Additionally, Waino's bringing back memories of his days as an ace, spinning a 2.98 ERA, 3.75 xFIP, 3.99 SIERA, and 1.03 WHIP. He's even struck out a respectable 22.2% of batters he's faced. Also, he's a workhorse, pitching seven or more innings in eight of his last 10 turns.
GPP Recommendations:
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) at WSH
Speaking of workhorses, Alcantara's one in his own right. Since the Dodgers drilled him for 10 runs on August 6, he's pitched seven or more innings in five of his last six games, generating a sterling 1.83 ERA, 2.32 xFIP, 2.65 SIERA, 0.86 WHIP, and 33.7 K%. He's pitching like an ace.
The opposition shouldn't provide him much opposition, either. The Nationals rank 22nd in wRC+ (89) since the trade deadline. As a result, the game's total is only seven runs. However, because Alcantara's backed by a bad offense, the Marlins are small underdogs.
Jake Odorizzi (HOU) at TEX
I'm not crazy about spinning down to Odorizzi. Still, if you're hellbent on jamming an extra big bat or two into your lineup, it doesn't take much squinting to see a path to delivering value on DraftKings. However, I don't advise using him on FanDuel.
Circling back to the path to success, it's as simple as facing the Rangers. Texas is tied for 24th in wRC+ (87) against righties this year. Fortunately, it gets better, as they're 29th in wRC+ (62) since the trade deadline. Odorizzi qualifies as a roughly average pitcher, and his 21.4 K% is acceptable, too. In this instance, being average is good enough.
Top Lineup Stacks
The implied total on this game feels light. Boston's fourth in wRC+ (109) against righties, and they're fifth (120 wRC+) since the trade deadline. Further, they're facing a rookie pitcher who's scuffling.
Yu Darvish has ranged from excellent to dreadful. The veteran righty was sharp the last time he toed the slab. Still, the start halted a stretch of nine starts yielding a homer in which he coughed up four or more runs seven times. If the bad version of Darvish is on display tonight, the Giants can hammer him.
The Astros have the highest implied total of the three touted stacks. And, that's for a good reason. Spencer Howard's the worst of the three pitchers opposing my favorite stacks. The young righty's responsible for a 6.21 ERA, 4.90 xFIP, and 4.60 SIERA in 2021. Also, factor in Houston ranks as the top offense against righties this year, and it's easy to envision them lighting up the scoreboard.
- Rafael Devers has crushed righties for a .330 ISO this year.
- Yordan Alvarez owns a .255 ISO and 141 wRC+ this season.
- Kyle Tucker hits a bit lower in Houston's order. Hence, he ranks behind Alvarez, despite better numbers against righties.
- Brandon Belt's been San Francisco's best hitter against righties this season. He has a .360 OBP, .324 ISO, and 149 wRC+.
- LaMonte Wade Jr.'s broken out this season. Serving on the strong side of a platoon, he's recorded a .353 OBP, .278 ISO, and 142 wRC+ against righties.
- Tommy La Stella's a lineup-spot-driven punt suggestion. He's hit leadoff recently for the Giants. He might also be rounding into good form with a pair of multi-hit offers in his last four starts.
- Michael Brantley left Saturday's game early, and he sat yesterday. He's a steal on FanDuel if he's back in the lineup tonight, though.
Monday's Hitter Strategy
I'm snagging some value from the Giants across all game types. I'm less inclined to fully stack them in cash games, but I like that move in GPPs. So instead, my two favorite offenses to load up on are the Astros and Red Sox.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.