Rejoice, it’s Friday. And, as always, Friday night means a big main slate. There are a dozen games on tonight’s main slate, starting at 7:05 pm ET. Moreover, the slate has something for everyone, featuring offenses in favorable conditions and a bevy of aces.
Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
There's a remarkable amount of pitching talent on tonight's slate. However, the top options have been whittled down to the four on the table. Conveniently, there's a clear ace for cash and an awesome alternative for GPPs. Further, there are two excellent SP2 picks at DraftKings who also have GPP appeal on FanDuel.
Rejoice, it’s Friday. And, as always, Friday night means a big main slate. There are a dozen games on tonight’s main slate, starting at 7:05 pm ET. Moreover, the slate has something for everyone, featuring offenses in favorable conditions and a bevy of aces.
Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
There's a remarkable amount of pitching talent on tonight's slate. However, the top options have been whittled down to the four on the table. Conveniently, there's a clear ace for cash and an awesome alternative for GPPs. Further, there are two excellent SP2 picks at DraftKings who also have GPP appeal on FanDuel.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Gerrit Cole (NYY) vs. DET
Cole has sufficiently distanced himself from an underwhelming start to the year. According to FanGraphs, in his last five starts, he's twirled a 3.21 ERA, 2.22 xFIP, 0.95 WHIP, 33.6 K%, and 33.8 CSW%.
The elite righty should have no trouble clowning the Tigers tonight. Detroit is tied for last in wRC+ (75) against righties. Further, they've struck out at the sixth-highest rate (24.2 K%). Finally, the Bronx Bombers are the biggest favorites (-360) on the slate, per Betting Pros. Thus, everything comes up roses for Cole tonight.
Nathan Eovaldi (BOS) at OAK
Eovaldi's full-season stats don't jump off the page relative to the other starters pitching tonight. However, they're rock-solid and depressed by one comically bad start in which he allowed nine runs (six earned) with five homers to the Astros. Yikes.
Thankfully, he's rebounded. In two starts since throwing batting practice to Houston, he's allowed only five runs (four earned) on 11 hits, two walks, and 17 strikeouts in 15.2 innings. Boston's flamethrower went the distance in his most recent turn.
Tonight, he has a cushy draw with the A's. Oakland is tied with the previously discussed Tigers for last in wRC+ (75) against righties this year. In addition, they're also strikeout prone, sporting the eighth-highest strikeout rate (23.9 K%).
Finally, the betting info is ideal. The Red Sox are -159 favorites, and the game's total is only 7.5 runs. As a result, Eovaldi is the best SP2 in cash games on DK, and a superb GPP pick on FD.
GPP Recommendations:
Shane McClanahan (TB) vs. CWS
Typically, it's wise to avoid using lefties against the White Sox. They have terrorized southpaws. However, McClanahan is an atypical pitcher. Tampa Bay's young hurler is blossoming into a full-blown ace.
Among qualified pitchers, he is eighth in ERA (2.01), second in xERA (2.45), and first in xFIP (1.83). McClanahan has also had a 0.91 WHIP, 5.4 BB%, 36.3 K%, and 34.9 CSW%. So, McClanahan is armed with the goods to dominate any lineup. Obviously, he has less room for error against the White Sox, but that should be reflected in a depressed number of DFS teams he's used on.
Yusei Kikuchi (TOR) vs. MIN
Kikuchi stumbled out of the blocks. However, he's tweaked his pitch mix and thrived. Kikuchi has allowed two runs or fewer in his last five starts, striking out six or more in four games.
Sadly, he's not a workhorse. Nonetheless, at Kikuchi's salary on DK and FD, he doesn't need to chew up innings to provide value. Finally, the betting info is a mixed bag. First, the game's total is scary at 9.5 runs. However, the Blue Jays are -225 favorites.
Top Lineup Stacks
The betting info that was a mixed bag for Kikuchi is all gravy for Toronto's offense. Frankly, that happens when an explosive offense greets Chi Chi Gonzalez for his first start in 2022. Gonzalez has had a 5.64 ERA, 5.29 xFIP and allowed 1.34 HR/9 in 261.2 innings pitched in his big-league career. He's precisely the pitcher gamers should stack against.
- Road (Coors Field)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 11.0 Runs/ATL -175
The Braves scored 13 runs last night. So, they enjoyed the first game of their road trip to Coors Field, suffice to say. Of course, Chad Kuhl isn't as desirable a matchup as facing Austin Gomber, but he's not a pitcher to avoid in MLB's hitting paradise. Additionally, Colorado's relievers have had the highest ERA (5.28) this season. Therefore, another double-digit output of runs isn't out of the question for the Braves tonight.
- Road (PNC Park)
- Value: Medium
- Risk: High
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: 7.5 Runs/ARI -105
The Diamondbacks are a nifty value stack to blend with the previous stacks in GPPs. With JT Brubaker boasting a 2.63 ERA in his last five starts, they should also fly under the radar. However, his game log reveals a stretch of bad offenses. Additionally, in 219.1 innings in his career, he's had a 5.01 ERA and ceded 1.60 HR/9. If Brubaker turns into a pumpkin, the Diamondbacks can clobber him.
- Austin Riley is playing better in his encore than his 2021 breakout. After last night's three-hit effort, he has a .336 OBP, .257 ISO, 138 wRC+ and 13 homers in 223 plate appearances.
- Vladimir Guerrero isn't duplicating his elite 2021. However, he's still excelling in same-handed matchups, tallying a .345 OBP, .211 ISO and 132 wRC+. So, gamers should take advantage of the salary discount in a mouthwatering matchup against Gonzalez.
- Connor Joe has been great against lefties and awesome at Coors Field. In 134 plate appearances against southpaws, he's had a .381 OBP and 121 wRC+. Further, in 195 plate appearances at Coors Field, Joe has had a .400 OBP, .205 ISO, and 123 wRC+.
- Kole Calhoun looked like toast until he mashed his first tater on May 8. However, in 98 plate appearances since May 8, he's had a .408 OBP, .326 ISO, 208 wRC+ and clubbed seven homers.
- Dating back to May 9, Brendan Rodgers has been on a 20-game hit streak. Additionally, he has crushed lefties. In 181 plate appearances against them in his career, Rodgers has had a .348 OBP, .254 ISO, and 129 wRC+.
- Teoscar Hernandez is shaking out of his funk at the dish. He's on a modest seven-game hit streak. More importantly, Hernandez has crushed the ball in his previous three games, piling up four doubles and a homer in 14 plate appearances. He's back.
Friday's Hitter Strategy
The Blue Jays are the best offense to invest in tonight, salaries relative to those in Coors Field considered. Still, the Braves and Rockies are enticing options offensively as well. Finally, the Diamondbacks are a worthy GPP stack.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
