The mid-week main slate is a modest nine-gamer. It starts at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. A few aces are toeing the slab, but none are must-use pitchers. Still, one is intriguing. Wednesday’s main slate should feature a few offensive outbursts, though. So, gamers who love offense should enjoy this slate.
Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
While none of the aces are must-use options, one of them is a cut above the rest, even with a challenging matchup. Another AL East hurler has been rounding into good form, and a pair of NL East youngsters are excellent GPP picks.
The mid-week main slate is a modest nine-gamer. It starts at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. A few aces are toeing the slab, but none are must-use pitchers. Still, one is intriguing. Wednesday’s main slate should feature a few offensive outbursts, though. So, gamers who love offense should enjoy this slate.
Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
While none of the aces are must-use options, one of them is a cut above the rest, even with a challenging matchup. Another AL East hurler has been rounding into good form, and a pair of NL East youngsters are excellent GPP picks.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Shane McClanahan (TB) at NYY
McClanahan flashed potential last year, but he's coming into his own as one of the most dominant pitchers in MLB. According to FanGraphs, in 12 starts totaling 72.1 innings, he's had a 1.87 ERA, 2.02 xFIP, 0.86 WHIP, 4.7 BB%, 35.5 K% and 34.7 CSW%. As a result, McClanahan is a matchup-proof pitcher.
Interestingly, the Rays are underdogs because of the tricky matchup against the Yankees and Nestor Cortes. Tampa Bay is +120, but the game's total is a pitcher-friendly 7.5 runs, per Betting Pros. Regardless, the talented lefty is good enough to pay off as a cash game selection even if he doesn't win.
Jose Berrios (TOR) vs. BAL
Berrios got roughed up in his first start of the year. He's had a few messy starts since. However, Berrios has been more good than bad in recent turns.
Specifically, in his previous five starts spanning 30.2 innings, he's had a 3.52 ERA, 3.44 xFIP, 1.08 WHIP, 5.0 BB%, 25.0 K% and 29.5 CSW%. He should keep it rolling against the Orioles tonight. Baltimore is tied for 20th in wRC+ (93) against righties, making them a good matchup for Berrios. Finally, the betting info is favorable. Toronto is a sizable -278 favorite.
Thankfully, there are enough value hitters to allow double dipping with McClanahan and Berrios in cash games at DK. In addition, Berrios is the best cash pick on FD, salary considered. Spinning down from McClanahan to Berrios opens up enough cap space to squeeze in the best hitters.
GPP Recommendations:
Spencer Strider (ATL) at WSH
Strider started the year in Atlanta's bullpen. However, his excellence as a reliever forced a move to the rotation, and he's pitched quite well as a starter. Understandably, Strider has only thrown 14.0 innings in three starts, getting stretched out.
In his starts, he's had a 2.57 ERA, 3.04 xFIP, 1.29 WHIP, 33.3 K% and 29.9. CSW%. However, a fly in the ointment makes him a risky pick. Strider has walked an alarming 13.3% of the batters he's faced in starts. Thus, there's a chance Strider's control could result in a messy start. Still, the upside is worth chasing in GPPs.
Roansy Contreras (PIT) at STL
Contreras is strutting his stuff in his rookie campaign. In four starts spanning 20.1 innings, he's had a 2.21 ERA, 3.41 xFIP, 1.28 WHIP, 7.0 BB%, 26.7 K% and 30.2 CSW%. Frankly, Contreras's numbers as a starter have been more impressive than Strider's.
Unfortunately, Pittsburgh's offense is less potent, decreasing his odds of earning a win. In addition, Contreras has a mid-pack matchup and is backed by a terrible bullpen that can squander a lead. The Cardinals are 13th in wRC+ (103) against right-handed pitchers this season. So, they're not a pushover. Again, like Strider, Contreras has the upside that's worth chasing. Moreover, his salary is conducive to stacking high-octane offenses around him.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Rockies are home against a rookie pitcher making his first trip to Coors Field. Additionally, Konnor Pilkington has been lucky this year. He's pitched 22.2 innings (three relief appearances and four starts), earning a 3.57 ERA that's markedly lower than his 5.23 xERA. So, Coors Field isn't the place to stay lucky, making him an ideal pitcher to stack against.
- Home (Fenway Park)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: Unlisted
James Kaprielian had a solid-if-unspectacular rookie campaign in 2021. However, he outperformed his ERA estimators, and the other shoe has dropped this year. Kaprielian has been rocked for a 5.73 ERA with similarly terrible ERA estimators. Additionally, Oakland's bullpen is a bottom-10 group. So, Boston has a chance to rough the visiting A's up again tonight after doing so on Tuesday night.
- Home (Rogers Centre)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 9.5 Runs/TOR -278
The Blue Jays get another crack at Baltimore's laughably bad rotation tonight. Specifically, Bruce Zimmermann carries an ugly 5.52 ERA into tonight's contest. In his career, the lefty has had a 5.40 ERA. Simply, Zimmermann isn't the caliber of pitcher who should be expected to suppress Toronto's scoring. Moreover, as a lefty who struggles against righties, Toronto's righty-laden lineup is a nightmare for Zimmermann.
- C.J. Cron has dominated at Coors Field since joining the Rockies in free agency before the 2021 season. In 411 plate appearances, he's had a .412 OBP, .326 ISO and 159 wRC+.
- Rafael Devers is a terror for righties. Since 2019, he's had a .368 OBP, .302 ISO and 154 wRC+ against them.
- Connor Joe has enjoyed home cooking as a member of the Rockies. In 214 plate appearances at Coors Field with the Rockies, he's had a .407 OBP, .201 ISO and 124 wRC+.
- Brendan Rodgers is an excellent selection at Coors Field tonight. Sure, maybe including him in this section is taking liberties. Nonetheless, he was a must-feature player. The right-handed-hitting infielder has been a thorn in the side of lefties, owning a .335 OBP, .238 ISO and 119 wRC+ versus them since 2019.
- Sadly, Teoscar Hernandez had only a single last night. Nevertheless, he's been in outstanding form, and the slugging outfielder crushes southpaws. Since 2019, in 382 plate appearances against lefties, he's had a .364 OBP, .299 ISO and 153 wRC+.
- Oscar Gonzalez is immune to the Coors Field boost to salary, owning a $2,800 salary at both DFS providers. The right-handed-hitting outfielder has had a .391 OBP and 161 wRC+ in his first 69 plate appearances in The Show. Finally, he hit cleanup last night and slotting in the same spot tonight would be a boon for his outlook.
Wednesday's Hitter Strategy
The Rockies are the best source of offense tonight, with the Red Sox and Blue Jays nipping at their heels. Mixing the three offenses on DFS lineups is a good move, plucking top-shelf talent from each team and some of their value options.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
