The main slate on Thursday night is small. First, at FanDuel, it’s a six-game slate, starting at 6:40 pm ET. Second, it’s only a five-game slate at DraftKings, beginning at 7:10 pm ET. Since it’s a small slate, the picks are narrowed down.
Thursday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Three pitchers are excellent options to mix and match across game types. Thus, they're listed as the pitcher recommendations below instead of being categorized as cash games or GPP recommendations.
The main slate on Thursday night is small. First, at FanDuel, it’s a six-game slate, starting at 6:40 pm ET. Second, it’s only a five-game slate at DraftKings, beginning at 7:10 pm ET. Since it’s a small slate, the picks are narrowed down.
Thursday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Three pitchers are excellent options to mix and match across game types. Thus, they're listed as the pitcher recommendations below instead of being categorized as cash games or GPP recommendations.
Pitching Recommendations:
Gerrit Cole (NYY) at MIN
Cole is the top pitcher on tonight's slate. According to FanGraphs, in Cole's previous eight starts, he's had a 2.03 ERA, 2.13 xFIP, 0.86 WHIP, 3.9 BB%, 33.3 K% and 33.0 CSW% in 53.1 innings. In addition, he's had a quality start in seven of those games, striking out 11 in eight innings of five-run ball in the outlier.
Tonight, Cole and the Yankees are substantial favorites. The Bronx Bombers are -200, per Betting Pros. Finally, Cole has the best blend of a high floor and the highest ceiling on the slate.
Max Fried (ATL) vs. PIT
Fried is actually a bigger betting favorite than Cole tonight. The Braves are -278, and the game's total is only 8.0 runs. Moreover, the matchup is outstanding for Fried. The Pirates are tied for 23rd in wRC+ (89) against southpaws in 2022. Additionally, their 23.9 K% is exploitable.
Thankfully, Fried is a pitcher capable of picking the Pirates apart. In his previous five starts, Fried has had a 2.81 ERA, 3.44 xFIP, 1.22 WHIP, 19.4 K% and 27.0 CSW%. Obviously, Fried's marks are less impressive than Cole's. Still, his matchup is softer, and his cap hit is significantly lower. So, gamers needing extra cap space for their favorite hitting picks should consider pivoting to Fried.
Nick Pivetta (BOS) at LAA
Pivetta has the best blend of upside and a cap-friendly salary. The veteran righty was shaky out of the gate. However, he's been a man on fire. In his last six starts, Pivetta has effectively gobbled up 41.0 innings, spinning a 1.32 ERA, 3.55 SIERA, 0.73 WHIP, 5.2 BB%, 24.2 K% and 26.6 CSW%.
Still, since Pivetta doesn't have the same lengthy track record of success as Cole or Fried, there's a smidge of risk he stumbles. But, of course, his odds of stumbling are reduced if Mike Trout is out of the lineup again tonight. Nonetheless, Pivetta will have a more challenging time earning the win, pitching opposite Shohei Ohtani. Regardless, he's a great pick as an SP2 in all game types at DK and an excellent GPP option at FD.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Braves torched the A's last night. Now, they have a tantalizing matchup on the schedule against JT Brubaker and Pittsburgh's dreadful bullpen. Brubaker turned back into a pumpkin in his most recent start after feasting on cupcakes for a handful of turns. In addition, he's struck out four batters or fewer in seven of 11 starts, and Atlanta's offense has the power to punish his low-strikeout approach.
- Road (Kauffman Stadium)
- Value: Medium
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 9.5 Runs/BAL -110
The Orioles also have a tasty matchup tonight. First, they'll step in the batter's box against Kris Bubic and his 9.33 ERA in 2022. Then, they'll face Kansas City's horrible bullpen. This year, Kansas City's relievers have had the third-highest ERA (4.86). As a result, this is a blow-up spot for the O's.
- Austin Riley hit his 15th homer of the year last night, and he's had a .269 ISO and 138 wRC+ in 247 plate appearances.
- Austin Hays is amid a breakout campaign. He was decent last year, earning a 106 wRC+. However, this year, he's had a 140 wRC+. Further, Hays has had a 108 wRC+ in his career with the platoon advantage.
- Dansby Swanson has hit his way to the second spot in Atlanta's order. This year, in 229 plate appearances, he's had a .349 OBP, 118 wRC+ and stolen nine bases.
- Ryan Mountcastle is another righty to attack Bubic with. In 290 plate appearances in his career, he's had a .214 ISO and 107 wRC+ against lefties.
- Rougned Odor is a sneaky-good option in a lefty-lefty matchup tonight. Since 2019, versus lefties, he's muscled up for a .219 ISO.
- Chad Pinder is another power-chasing punt. Since 2019, in 374 plate appearances against lefties, he's had a .202 ISO.
Thursday's Hitter Strategy
The Braves are the backbone of tonight's offense. However, their salaries are high. Thus, it's convenient the Orioles are a cheap offense with upside to offset Atlanta's salaries.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
