Friday’s main daily baseball slate is made for you if you love big slates. There are 13 games on tonight’s main slate. Further, a few elite pitchers are getting the ball. Nevertheless, there shouldn’t be a shortage of offensive fireworks, either.
Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Tonight's top cash game hurlers have appeal in GPPs, too. Additionally, a pair of attractive GPP pivots are priced similarly to their cash game peers. In GPPs, mixing and matching the quartet is a great move.
Friday’s main daily baseball slate is made for you if you love big slates. There are 13 games on tonight’s main slate. Further, a few elite pitchers are getting the ball. Nevertheless, there shouldn’t be a shortage of offensive fireworks, either.
Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Tonight's top cash game hurlers have appeal in GPPs, too. Additionally, a pair of attractive GPP pivots are priced similarly to their cash game peers. In GPPs, mixing and matching the quartet is a great move.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Gerrit Cole (NYY) vs. TEX
Cole has been a monster in back-to-back starts. New York's ace has pitched 12.2 scoreless innings, allowing nine hits, three walks, and striking out 15. Further, according to FanGraphs, he has had a 30.9 CSW% in 2022.
The stud righty shouldn't have trouble dominating the struggling Rangers. Texas is 29th in wRC+ (72) against right-handed pitchers this year. Finally, Betting Pros lists the Yankees as a -225 favorite in a game with a total of just 7.0 runs. Therefore, Cole has an excellent high floor and ceiling.
Luis Garcia (HOU) vs. DET
Garcia is the unquestioned SP2 pick for cash games at DraftKings. First, the Astros are -200 favorites. Second, the game's over/under is a non-threatening 8.0 runs. Third, the Tigers stink against righties.
Detroit is tied for 24th in wRC+ (82) against righties. Additionally, their 25.0 K% lifts Garcia's floor and ceiling. Thankfully, a look at their active lineup's marks against righties since 2019 provides more encouragement for using Garcia. Finally, Garcia's 4.15 ERA and 3.41 xERA are better than acceptable when accounting for two matchups against the Blue Jays and once versus the Angels in his four starts this season.
GPP Recommendations:
Kevin Gausman (TOR) at CLE
The Guardians have been MLB's best offense against righties in 2022, tallying a 131 wRC+. So, the matchup is more challenging for Gausman than Cole. However, they're a less threatening lineup when looking at a larger sample of work against right-handed pitchers. So, Gausman doesn't carry as much risk as he might at first blush.
Moreover, Toronto's prized signing in free agency has been elite in 2022. Gausman has twirled a 2.27 ERA, 2.65 xERA, 1.78 SIERA, 0.98 WHIP, 0.0 BB%, 33.6 K%, and 34.6 CSW% in five starts totaling 31.2 innings. Gausman has a desirable ceiling for GPPs, making him an attractive pivot from Cole on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) at SD
Alcantara is a slightly more expensive GPP option than Garcia at both daily fantasy providers. Sadly, a matchup with the Padres isn't as alluring as Garcia's with the Tigers. Nonetheless, the Friars are only a mid-pack offense against right-handed pitchers.
For his part, Alcantara has earned consideration with stellar pitching in 2022. He has had a 2.90 ERA and 3.13 xERA in five starts spanning 31.0 innings. Although, it hasn't been all roses. Alcantara has had a 11.3 BB% and 21.0 K% that leave a lot to be desired. Still, his 12.1 SwStr% bests this year's league average of 11.2 SwStr%, providing a reason to believe more strikeouts are on the horizon. Finally, the Marlins are small underdogs (+105), and the game's total is low (6.5 runs).
Top Lineup Stacks
- Home (Angel Stadium)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: Unlisted
It's a mystery how Joan Adon remains in Washington's rotation. He has a 7.33 ERA with horrific ERA estimators in five starts this year. The righty has also coughed up 1.54 HR/9. The 23-year-old righty needs more minor-league seasoning after pitching only 18 innings above High-A, suffice to say. So, gamers shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, like stacking against the overwhelmed Adon.
- Home (Target Field)
- Value: High
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 7.5 Runs/MIN -182
Cole Irvin was placed on the IL yesterday. The A's brought southpaw Zach Logue to Minnesota with them as a fallback starter for tonight's game. Logue's status as a fill-in option for the rebuilding A's tells you essentially everything you need to know. However, his 5.63 ERA and 6.28 xFIP in four starts at Triple-A hammer home the case for stacking against him.
- Home (Fenway Park)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/BOS -167
Remarkably, Vince Velasquez's 4.58 ERA this year represents his lowest mark since 2016. Yikes. In addition, his 6.17 xERA suggests he's been lucky. Finally, the righty's flyball profile is a recipe for disaster at hitter-friendly Fenway Park.
- Since 2019, Mike Trout has annihilated righties for a .433 OBP, .379 ISO, and 191 wRC+.
- Yesterday, Byron Buxton clubbed his eighth round-tripper in 72 plate appearances this year. He's flying high with a .433 ISO and 207 wRC+.
- Since 2019, in 542 plate appearances against right-handed pitchers at home, Devers has amassed a .359 OBP, .281 ISO, and 139 wRC+ with 30 homers.
- This year, Gio Urshela has typically hit in a top-five lineup spot for the Twins against lefties. Coupled with his 119 wRC+ against lefties since 2019, Urshela is a desirable punt at DraftKings and FanDuel in all game types.
- Since 2019, Jared Walsh has teed off on righties for a .366 OBP, .250 ISO, and 144 wRC+.
- In 686 plate appearances at Double-A and Triple-A combined since 2021, Jose Miranda has had a .386 OBP, .222 ISO, and 149 wRC+. Now that he has a few games in The Show under his belt, perhaps his bat will awaken.
Friday's Hitter Strategy
A stars and scrubs hitter strategy stands out as a great one tonight. Thankfully, as the values/punts table illustrates, there are a few low-salary options to offset the high salaries needed to use the studs.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
