The Thursday main slate on DraftKings is six games, beginning at 7:05 pm ET. However, it includes one more game on FanDuel, adding the two games starting at 6:40 pm ET but dumping the second game of the doubleheader for the Yankees and Angels.
Thursday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The pitching options tonight are lean. As a result, one of the hurlers on the table is only available on FanDuel's slate. The other two are the suggested pairing across game types at DraftKings.
The Thursday main slate on DraftKings is six games, beginning at 7:05 pm ET. However, it includes one more game on FanDuel, adding the two games starting at 6:40 pm ET but dumping the second game of the doubleheader for the Yankees and Angels.
Thursday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The pitching options tonight are lean. As a result, one of the hurlers on the table is only available on FanDuel's slate. The other two are the suggested pairing across game types at DraftKings.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Sean Manaea (SD) at MIL
Manaea is the top pitcher on tonight's slate. Sure, his 4.02 ERA hasn't been anything to get excited about. But thankfully, his ERA estimators and underlying stats have been significantly better. According to FanGraphs, he's had a 3.58 xERA, 3.55 SIERA, 1.11 WHIP, 26.4 K%, and 27.8 CSW%.
Additionally, he has an outstanding matchup tonight. The Brewers are 26th in wRC+ (85) against southpaws this year. Moreover, since last year, their active lineup has mostly stunk against lefties. Thus, Manaea should carve up the Beermakers tonight.
Keegan Thompson (CHC) vs. STL
Thompson isn't a flawless, risk-free pitcher. Regardless, saving cap space with the SP2 spot on DK is crucial tonight. Further, Thompson is a value option in GPPs on FD.
This year, the righty pitcher has spent time in the bullpen and rotation, thriving in both roles. In three starts spanning 14 innings, he's had a 1.93 ERA, 3.98 xFIP, 1.21 WHIP, 5.5 BB%, and 18.2 K%. Those aren't sterling marks, but they're rock-solid. So, he's a perfectly acceptable value pick, freeing up valuable cap space for high-salary hitters.
GPP Recommendations:
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) vs. SF
Spoiler alert, the Braves are the top stack tonight. Yet, gamers who choose to be contrarian can start their roster with Alcantara at pitcher and swerve from the Braves. This year, Alcantara has been dominant. In 10 starts totaling 67.2 innings, he's had a 2.00 ERA, 2.54 xERA, 1.00 WHIP, 24.0 K%, and 27.6 CSW%.
Unfortunately, the Giants aren't a pushover matchup. Still, when he's cooking, Alcantara can tie up even the best lineups in the bigs. Therefore, using him in GPPs on FD is a high-upside move and will almost certainly be contrarian due to the high salaries of Atlanta's hitters.
Top Lineup Stacks
Coors Field is the runaway top offensive environment. Meanwhile, Austin Gomber has been a tire fire this year. The 28-year-old southpaw has had a 5.51 ERA supported by his 5.36 xERA in nine starts. Finally, Colorado's MLB-worst bullpen takes over when he gets the hook. So, Atlanta should score runs in bunches tonight.
- Home (Wrigley Field)
- Value: Medium
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: CHC -110
Matthew Liberatore is making only the third start of his big-league career tonight. Thus far, he's had one bad start and one good one. Further, he's walked 11.4% of the hitters he's faced. Maybe Liberatore will build on his promising second start. Or, perhaps, he'll stumble while he continues to adjust to the majors. The Cubs are a high-upside stack against the rookie hurler as long as the wind isn't gusting in.
- Austin Riley is destroying lefties this year. In 59 plate appearances this season, he's torched them for a .424 OBP, .347 ISO, and 195 wRC+.
- Dansby Swanson has also crushed lefties in 2022. In 45 plate appearances, he's had a .378 OBP, .231 ISO, and 149 wRC+.
- Willson Contreras is raking. In 177 plate appearances, he has had a .395 OBP, .236 ISO, 157 wRC+, eight homers, and two stolen bases.
- Sadly, Joey Votto didn't reach base last night in four plate appearances. Nevertheless, he's been on fire since returning from the COVID Injured List (IL). In 39 plate appearances before last night's dud, he had a .436 OBP, .406 ISO, and 208 wRC+. Votto has a great matchup to pick back up where he left off before his bagel on Wednesday night.
- Ryan Mountcastle is a steal on DK. The right-handed hitter has had a 115 wRC+ in same-handed matchups in his career.
- This year, Yadiel Hernandez has a 118 wRC+ against righties. That would be good enough to warrant consideration, but getting a pick-me-up from the favorable hitting conditions at Great American Ball Park seals the deal.
- Christopher Morel is making a seamless transition to the majors. Through his first 67 plate appearances, he's had a .373 OBP, .196 ISO, 135 wRC+, and six stolen bases.
Thursday's Hitter Strategy
The Braves are the top offense to invest in tonight. However, the Cubs have some intriguing GPP picks. Finally, values, such as those on the values/punts table, are essential for using a top pitcher and stacking the Braves.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
