It’s a massive slate on Tuesday night. There are 13 games on the main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel, awarding gamers a vast player pool to sift through for selections.
Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Dipping a little below the highest-salary hurlers is the strategy tonight. A lefty in an outstanding matchup is the headline starter. However, three rookies are enticing options.
It’s a massive slate on Tuesday night. There are 13 games on the main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel, awarding gamers a vast player pool to sift through for selections.
Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Dipping a little below the highest-salary hurlers is the strategy tonight. A lefty in an outstanding matchup is the headline starter. However, three rookies are enticing options.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Sean Manaea (SD) vs. ARI
There are warts for all of tonight's best pitchers, making it easier to spin down to Manaea and use the salary relief on hitters. The veteran lefty has been sharp in his first year with the Padres. According to FanGraphs, in a dozen starts totaling 73 innings, he's had a 3.95 ERA that's a pinch unluckier than his 3.55 xERA, 3.65 xFIP and 3.71 SIERA. Manaea has also struck out 25.5% of the hitters he's faced.
He should cruise in a great matchup tonight. The Diamondbacks are tied for 25th in wRC+ (90) against lefties. They're also struggling lately, tying for 23rd in wRC+ (88) over the last 14 days. So, Manaea has a favorable matchup.
Roansy Contreras (PIT) vs. CHC
Sadly, Contreras hasn't completed five innings in his previous two starts. Regardless, he hasn't been entirely overmatched, and his numbers as a starter have been encouraging. In five starts spanning 24.2 innings, he's had a 2.92 ERA, 4.01 SIERA, 23.1 K% and 30.3 CSW%.
Thankfully, he has a high-upside matchup tonight. The Cubs are 18th in wRC+ (96) against righties. However, their 23.4 K% versus right-handed pitchers is the most eye-catching number. They've also been one of the worst offenses in baseball lately, ranking 28th with an 81 wRC+ over the last 14 days. Finally, the Pirates are -136 favorites, per Betting Pros. Thus, Contreras is a stellar SP2 in all game types on DK.
GPP Recommendations:
Spencer Strider (ATL) vs. SF
Strider wasn't perfect transitioning from Atlanta's bullpen to their rotation. However, he worked around his poor control and has been a monster lately. In Strider's previous two starts, he's walked only three of 43 batters in 11.1 innings, allowing two runs with 19 strikeouts.
In four starts, the righty has had an electrifying 38.3 K% and 30.5 CSW%. As a result, Strider is a high-upside pick against the Giants. Over the last 14 days, San Francisco's strikeout rate has surged to 24.6%.
Joe Ryan (MIN) vs. CLE
Ryan returned from the COVID IL in his last turn, extending to 74 pitches. So, he shouldn't face a significant pitch restriction tonight. The 26-year-old righty has been formidable this year, spinning a 2.81 ERA, 3.43 xERA, 1.02 WHIP, 23.3 K% and 27.6 CSW% in nine starts totaling 48 innings.
Unfortunately, he doesn't have a cupcake matchup tonight. The Guardians are 12th in wRC+ (106) against right-handed pitchers. Still, they haven't been as good lately, tying for 18th in wRC+ (95) over the last 14 days. Ryan has pitched well enough to warrant consideration in GPPs for gamers who are multi-entering tournaments.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Rays haven't announced a starter, but Roster Resource at FanGraphs projects Josh Fleming to toe the slab. Fleming has dominated Triple-A hitters this year, but he's had a 4.76 ERA in 155 innings in The Show. In addition, the Yankees are tied for fifth in wRC+ (118) versus southpaws. Maybe, Fleming's excellence will follow him up to the bigs. However, the Bronx Bombers have been so good that it makes sense to chase their upside in GPPs against a pitcher who's yet to figure it out at the game's highest level.
- Home (Fenway Park)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 9.0 Runs/BOS -185
Fenway Park is MLB's second-most hitter-friendly venue, and Beau Brieske has been very lucky. This is a recipe for a booming performance from Boston tonight. In addition, Brieske has had home woes, allowing 1.98 HR/9.
- Road (American Family Field)
- Value: Medium
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/STL +105
Aaron Ashby was placed on the IL Monday. So, Milwaukee needs to fill his rotation vacancy tonight. Roster Resource is projecting veteran Chi Chi Gonzalez to get the nod. Simply, Gonzalez doesn't belong in a big-league rotation. He's had a 5.69 ERA in his career, and he's sporting a 7.71 ERA in two starts lasting just seven innings this year. If Gonzalez starts, the Red Birds should hammer him.
- Aaron Judge is on a path to the AL MVP Award. This year, in 288 plate appearances, he's slugged 25 homers with a .380 OBP, .345 ISO and 186 wRC+.
- Rafael Devers has also been raking in 2022. In 294 plate appearances, he's mashed 16 taters with a .384 OBP, .274 ISO and 177 wRC+.
- Paul Goldschmidt is aging like a fine wine. In his age-34 campaign, he's hit 16 dongs with a .417 OBP, .276 ISO and 188 wRC+ in 292 plate appearances.
- Jarren Duran is doing everything he can to stay in The Show when Enrique Hernandez returns from the IL. He's excelling in the leadoff spot. In 33 plate appearances, he has had a .394 OBP, .207 ISO and 157 wRC+. Last night, Duran also stole his first two bases for the Red Sox in 2022.
- Juan Yepez is great cheap exposure to Gonzalez. The rookie righty has had a .342 OBP, .225 ISO and 143 wRC+ in 111 plate appearances against fellow righties.
- Last year, Luis Garcia conquered Triple-A before stumbling in the majors. This year, he's brought his hot stick from the minors up with him. In 78 plate appearances, he's had a .372 OBP and 143 wRC+ for the Nationals.
Tuesday's Hitter Strategy
There is a bevy of values/punts available among hitters tonight. So, punting a few hitting spots to spend up for studs from the Yankees, Red Sox and Cardinals is the advised strategy tonight.
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Whether you're new to fantasy baseball or a seasoned pro, our Fantasy Baseball 101: Strategy Tips & Advice page is for you. You can get started with our Sabermetrics Glossary or head to a more advanced strategy - like Maximizing Your Potential in Multi-Lineup Contests - to learn more.
Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
