As has often been the case this year, the main slates are different sizes between FanDuel and DraftKings. FanDuels’ main slate includes seven games, beginning at 6:40 pm ET. Conversely, DraftKings’ main slate features just five games, starting at 7:05 pm ET.
Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
An ace in a treacherous matchup tops the pitching options tonight. He's joined by a high-upside pivot and a young bargain SP2 option on DraftKings.
As has often been the case this year, the main slates are different sizes between FanDuel and DraftKings. FanDuels’ main slate includes seven games, beginning at 6:40 pm ET. Conversely, DraftKings’ main slate features just five games, starting at 7:05 pm ET.
Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
An ace in a treacherous matchup tops the pitching options tonight. He's joined by a high-upside pivot and a young bargain SP2 option on DraftKings.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Lucas Giolito (CWS) vs. BOS
Giolito is the top pitcher on tonight's slate. However, as is the case for all of the pitchers on tonight's slate, he's risky. Regardless, Giolito has been excellent this year.
According to FanGraphs, in six starts lasting 31.2 innings, he's had a 2.84 ERA, 2.67 SIERA, 1.23 WHIP, 34.6 K%, and 33.6 CSW%. Unfortunately, he draws MLB's best offense over the last 14 days. As a result, tonight can get sideways if he's not sharp. Nonetheless, Betting Pros is listing the Pale Hose as -175 favorites. Further, the game's over/under is 8.0 runs. Thus, the betting info supports using Giolito as the top pitcher on tonight's slate.
JP Sears (NYY) vs. BAL
Sears is making his first start for the Yankees. He's appeared in relief twice for them this year. However, Sears has primarily worked as a starter in the minors. In fact, he's thrived in the upper minors.
Since 2021, in 125.2 innings in Double-A and Triple-A combined, he's twirled a 3.01 ERA, 2.80 FIP, 1.02 WHIP, 6.3 BB%, and 33.7 K%. The 26-year-old lefty has also netted a 13.6 SwStr% in Triple-A this year.
Additionally, while he'll probably face a pitch restriction, it's not a disastrously low number. On May 15, he tossed 65 pitches in 5.2 scoreless innings. Then, on May 20, he threw 64 pitches in a dominant relief appearance, allowing only one run on one walk and seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings.
Finally, the matchup is outstanding for Sears. The Orioles are tied for 27th in wRC+ (78), with a sky-high 27.0 K% against southpaws in 2022. Moreover, their active roster is light on players with a recent track record of success against lefties. Therefore, Sears can deliver the goods even with a five-and-dive start.
GPP Recommendation:
Charlie Morton (ATL) vs. PHI
Morton got off to a slow start this year, but it appears he's been rounding into form. In his last three starts spanning 16.1 innings, he's had a 2.20 ERA, 3.18 SIERA, 0.98 WHIP, 7.7 BB%, 29.2 K%, and 30.2 CSW%.
Still, his slow start shouldn't be entirely dismissed. Hence, Morton is risky against a lineup with a few tricky spots to navigate. Thankfully, Philadelphia's lineup also provides Morton with significant strikeout upside to warrant the dice roll in GPPs.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Astros are back in this space again in a good matchup. This year, Cal Quantrill has had a 3.48 ERA that's a whole run lower than his 4.48 xERA. Interestingly, his 2.89 ERA in 2021 was also precisely one run lower than his 3.89 xERA. Regardless, the sample isn't large enough to draw hard and fast conclusions. Instead, the prudent move is expecting regression and the Astros' high-powered offense to get the better of him on Wednesday night.
- Home (Truist Park)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/ATL -142
The Braves have a matchup with thoroughly average Ranger Suarez tonight. Yet, they're an exciting stack because of their lineup's massive power against left-handed pitchers. Since 2019, out of 12 hitters on their active roster, eight have had a .208 ISO or higher against southpaws. Therefore, chasing Atlanta's power is a viable move in all game types.
- Switch-hitting Ozzie Albies has muscled up against lefties in his career, amassing a .234 ISO in 672 plate appearances.
- Yordan Alvarez clobbers righties, owning a .374 OBP, .306 ISO, and 161 wRC+ against them in 711 plate appearances.
- Marcell Ozuna has had a .260 ISO against lefties since 2019.
- In 166 plate appearances against southpaws in his career, Andrew Vaughn has torched them for a .386 OBP, .268 ISO, and 158 wRC+.
- Mitch Garver is an outstanding punt at catcher on DraftKings. Since 2019, he's had a .369 OBP, .299 ISO, and 150 wRC+against lefties.
- The pricing discrepancy at DraftKings and FanDuel for William Contreras is stark. He's an absolute steal on FanDuel at only $100 above the minimum salary.
Wednesday's Hitter Strategy
Gamers should invest heavily in the Astros and Braves on offense, using Vaughn as a one-off on both sites and Garver as a value at catcher on DraftKings.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
