MLB DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Tuesday (5/3)

Tuesday’s main slate is extensive, including 11 games. Further, it’s a fun slate because there is no shortage of quality pitchers and ample high-upside offenses to stack. As a result, tonight’s slate has a pick-your-flavor feel to it. Still, I whittle down my favorite options below.

Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
I suggest spending top dollar on pitching in cash games tonight, per usual. It's also an excellent option in GPPs despite multiple big-ticket hitters I love. In GPPs, there's a bargain hurler on the table who is worthy of consideration.

Cash Game Recommendations:

Brandon Woodruff (MIL) vs. CIN
Sadly, Woodruff's first start of the year was a dud. And, obviously, it's so early in the season that one ugly start significantly skews full-season marks. However, according to FanGraphs, in three subsequent starts, he has had a 2.40 ERA, 3.20 SIERA, 1.07 WHIP, 27.9 K%, and 29.4 CSW%.

Tonight, he has a Charmin-soft matchup against the Reds. This year, Cincinnati is 29th in wRC+ (71) against righties with a 23.9 K%. Further, only three hitters on the Reds' active roster have had a wRC+ above 100 against righties since 2020. As a result, Woodruff is the top pitcher in cash games, offering a perfect blend of a high floor and ceiling.

Joe Ryan (MIN) at BAL
Ryan has killed it at every minor-league level, and he was rock-solid in his first taste of the majors last year. This year, he's dominating out of the gate. In four starts spanning 23.0 innings, he's spun a sparkling 1.17 ERA. Moreover, his 2.64 xERA and 2.92 SIERA have also been great.

Ryan also has added to his fantasy appeal with a gaudy 30.1 K% and dental-floss thin 0.70 WHIP. Thankfully, the Orioles are unlikely to slow the Ryan train down. Baltimore is tied for 20th in wRC+ (89) with a 24.7 K% against righties. In addition, their active lineup lacks hitters with a high-end track record against righties. So, Ryan should toss another gem tonight.

GPP Recommendations:

Carlos Rodon (SF) at LAD
If you're risk-averse, you should skip this recommendation. The Dodgers have a deep and supremely talented active roster filled with lefty-killers. Nevertheless, the Dodgers are a non-threatening 18th in wRC+ (90) against southpaws this year.

Most importantly, Rodon has been a stud in his first year with the Giants. In four starts spanning 23.0 innings, he's had a 1.17 ERA, 1.74 xERA, 1.86 SIERA, 0.83 WHIP, 43.2 K%, and 32.5 CSW%. As you probably deduced from his overall numbers, he's been great in all four starts. Rodon has allowed precisely one run in three of four starts, holding the Mets scoreless in five innings in the outlier. Further, he's struck out eight or more batter in all four turns. Thus, he's talented enough to carve up even an elite lineup. So, Rodon is worth a look for gamers who are willing to take a chance. Finally, Betting Pros lists the game's total as just 6.5 runs, and the Giants are only small +120 underdogs.

Tyler Mahle (CIN) at MIL
Mahle has had a ghastly 6.45 ERA through five starts. However, his 2.85 xERA and 4.01 SIERA paint a more favorable picture of his work this year. I'm also encouraged by Mahle's 28.7 CSW% which isn't far from his 29.3 CSW% in his stellar 2021 campaign.

Thankfully, the Brewers might be the magic elixir he needs to cure what ails him. Milwaukee is tied for 20th in wRC+ (89) with a 25.1 K% against righties this season. Unfortunately, he's opposing Woodruff tonight. Therefore, the Reds are +220 underdogs. Nonetheless, the game's total of 7.0 runs is unimposing. So, Mahle is an attractive SP2 in GPPs on DraftKings, freeing up significant salary-cap space from the other touted hurlers that can be used on an extra stud hitter or two.

Top Lineup Stacks

• Home (Camden Yards at Oriole Park)
• Value: Medium
• Risk: High
• Game Type: GPP
• Game Total/Moneyline: 7.0 Runs/MIN -175

The Twins were disappointing last night. It doesn't get any easier against Bruce Zimmermann tonight, either. However, Zimmermann is pitching over his skis in 2022. But, yes, his 3.61 xERA and 3.18 SIERA are pretty good. Regardless, sometimes it pays off to go back to the well, namely in a matchup that's not ideal at first blush. Further, Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, and Gio Urshela have all had a 119 wRC+ or better against lefties since 2019. Meanwhile, Jorge Polanco and Gary Sanchez have been average and can put a charge into the ball. Are they risky? Yes. If this stack hits, though, it's likely to do so as a contrarian pick.

• Home (Minute Maid Park)
• Value: Low
• Risk: Low
• Game Type: Both
• Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/HOU -150

The Astros are one of two low-risk stacks. Opposing starter Chris Flexen is a pitch-to-contact hurler whose ERA estimators are markedly higher than his ERA since returning from the KBO last year. In addition, Houston is a nightmare for righties, boasting six hitters in the projected lineup on the table above with at least a 115 wRC+ against them since 2019.

• Road (Wrigley Field)
• Value: Medium
• Risk: Low
• Game Type: Both
• Game Total/Moneyline: Unlisted/CWS -145

The White Sox have a good matchup with Drew Smyly tonight. The southpaw has a 2.79 ERA in 2022, but his ERA estimators aren't as impressive. The veteran lefty has also been homer prone, ceding 1.92 HR/9 in 2021 and 1.86 HR/9 this year. Finally, Chicago's lineup is stacked with righties, and Smyly has yielded a .338 wOBA to right-handed batters since last year.

• Yordan Alvarez pummels righties, and he's raking this year. After slugging a homer last night, he's up to seven with a .354 ISO.
• Tim Anderson terrorizes lefties, and he's in good form this year with a .346 OBP, 154 wRC+, three homers, and three stolen bases in 78 plate appearances.
• Unfortunately, Jose Abreu isn't as dialed in as Anderson this year. Still, I'll put more faith in his track record against lefties. Since 2019, he has had a .382 OBP, .265 ISO, and 158 wRC+ against lefties.

• Sadly, in his big-league debut last night, Jose Miranda failed to reach base in four plate appearances. Still, he has had a .222 ISO and 150 wRC+ in the upper minors (Double-A and Triple-A). So, I'll use him on most of my teams tonight at the minimum salary.
• Hopefully, Andrew Vaughn will return to the lineup tonight. He's hammered lefties in his young career, and he's gotten off to a fast start in 2022 with a .283 ISO and 176 wRC+.
• Yasmani Grandal is a steal on FanDuel. Even mired in a slow start to the year, the switch-hitting catcher has a .500 OBP against southpaws. More importantly, Grandal has thrived throughout his career against lefties.
• Yadiel Hernandez gets the Coors Field bump tonight but has a salary under $3,000 at both sites. The left-handed-hitting outfielder's salary is egregiously low at DraftKings, where Washington's fifth-hitter is a nifty punt. Further, since the start of the second half of last year, Hernandez has had a 118 wRC+.

Tuesday's Hitter Strategy
I'm all over the Astros and White Sox across all game types. However, the Twins are an appealing GPP option.

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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.