Thursday’s main slate begins at 6:40 pm ET on FanDuel, including 10 games. At DraftKings, it’s a nine-game slate. Sadly, the weather looks like it will be inclement in a few spots. So, the suggested player pool is pared down with the weather conditions in mind.
Thursday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Today's trio of starting pitchers is usable in all game types. The weather outlook is excellent for them, eliminating the risk of a rainout.
Thursday’s main slate begins at 6:40 pm ET on FanDuel, including 10 games. At DraftKings, it’s a nine-game slate. Sadly, the weather looks like it will be inclement in a few spots. So, the suggested player pool is pared down with the weather conditions in mind.
Thursday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Today's trio of starting pitchers is usable in all game types. The weather outlook is excellent for them, eliminating the risk of a rainout.
Recommendations:
Frankie Montas (OAK) vs. TEX
Montas has been rock-solid this year. According to FanGraphs, in nine starts totaling 50.2 innings, he's had a 3.55 ER, 2.89 xERA, 1.01 WHIP, 6.5 BB%, 27.4 K%, and 26.2 CSW%.
The 29-year-old righty has an excellent matchup and good betting data. The Rangers are 28th in wRC+ (82) with a 23.6 K% against righties this season. Additionally, many of the hitters on their active roster have struck out at a high rate against righties since last year. Finally, the A's are -125 favorites in a game with an over/under of 7.0 runs, per Betting Pros.
Shohei Ohtani (LAA) vs. TOR
The betting info is good for Ohtani, too. The Angels are -157 favorites, and the game's total is only 7.5 runs. Moreover, the matchup isn't as terrifying as it might seem. Frankly, the Blue Jays are underperforming this year against righties.
Toronto will have a hard time turning things around against Ohtani. The two-way superstar has been great on the hill this year. In seven starts spanning 38.1 innings, he's had a 2.82 ERA, 2.69 xERA, 2.45 SIERA, 1.02 WHIP, 5.8 BB%, 34.0 K%, and 34.7 CSW%. As a result, he's a high-upside pick tonight.
Martin Perez (TEX) at OAK
Sadly, Perez lacks the bat-missing ability of his peers in this space. However, he's been nothing short of outstanding this year. In eight starts lasting 49.1 innings, he's had a sparkling 1.64 ERA. Encouragingly, the 31-year-old lefty's elite ERA has been supported in part by a 2.44 xERA.
Perez has done a superb job of keeping the ball on the ground (55.8 GB%) and avoiding free passes (6.3 BB%). Sure, it's not the sexiest profile. Still, it's working wonders this year, and Perez has a good matchup. Thus, he's a viable SP2 at DraftKings. Unfortunately, though, he's much less exciting on FanDuel.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Dodgers are a juggernaut on offense. They're first in wRC+ (124) against righties this year. The implied total for them tonight is high for a good reason, squaring off with a mediocre pitcher and below-average bullpen. As a result, the Dodgers are the top stack tonight.
- Home (Nationals Park)
- Value: Medium
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/WSH -115
The Nationals don't hold a candle to the Dodgers' offensive excellence. Nonetheless, they have a fantasy-friendly implied total in a mouthwatering matchup. This year, German Marquez has been a dumpster fire, owning a 6.14 ERA. In addition, Colorado's relievers have had the fourth-highest ERA (4.85). Therefore, Washington's offense should eat tonight.
- Juan Soto kills righties. In his career, he's had a .451 OBP, .267 ISO, and 167 wRC+ against them.
- C.J. Cron is a lefty-killer. Since 2019, in 350 plate appearances against them, he's had a .377 OBP, .303 ISO, and 150 wRC+.
- Will Smith has been great in righty-righty matchups. He's had a .378 OBP, .282 ISO, and 148 wRC+ against righties in his career.
- This year, Edwin Rios has roughed up right-handed pitchers, despite inconsistent playing time as a reserve. He's belted five homers with a .327 wRC+ and 149 wRC+ in 52 plate appearances against them.
- Yadiel Hernandez has rewarded the Nationals for playing him this year. The left-handed-hitting outfielder has had a .340 OBP and 122 wRC+ against righties in 2022.
- Brendan Rodgers has smashed lefties since breaking out last year. In 140 plate appearances, he's had a .364 OBP, .290 ISO, and 148 wRC+.
- Chad Pinder is an excellent power-chasing punt. Since 2019, he's had a .207 ISO against southpaws.
Thursday's Hitter Strategy
The Dodgers and Nationals are the best sources of offense tonight. However, a few Rockies are enticing options as well.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.