Only one game scheduled on Friday begins before the MLB DFS main slate. As a result, 14 games featuring 28 teams are on tonight’s main slate, beginning at 7:05 pm ET. Thus, the player pool is vast, but the suggestions below for pitchers, stacks, studs and values/punts will help you narrow the options to a palatable number of useful choices.
Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Two NL East hurlers are the top pitchers in cash and GPP contests, respectively. But, then, the other suggested pitchers for Friday's main slate are a couple of young hurlers with tantalizing matchups and tasty salaries.
Only one game scheduled on Friday begins before the MLB DFS main slate. As a result, 14 games featuring 28 teams are on tonight’s main slate, beginning at 7:05 pm ET. Thus, the player pool is vast, but the suggestions below for pitchers, stacks, studs and values/punts will help you narrow the options to a palatable number of useful choices.
Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Two NL East hurlers are the top pitchers in cash and GPP contests, respectively. But, then, the other suggested pitchers for Friday's main slate are a couple of young hurlers with tantalizing matchups and tasty salaries.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Chris Bassitt (NYM) vs. COL
Bassitt has been in excellent form lately. According to FanGraphs, in his previous eight starts spanning 51.1 innings, he's had a 1.93 ERA, 3.44 xFIP, 1.09 WHIP, 4.7 BB%, 20.4 K% and 30.5 CSW%. Moreover, Bassitt has been at his best at home, including striking out a stellar 26.0% of opposing hitters.
The veteran righty has a dreamy matchup tonight. The Rockies are lousy on the road. They're 26th in wRC+(80) in road tilts this season. As a result, the betting info is ideal. According to Betting Pros, the Mets are -335, and the game's total is just 8.0 runs.
Bailey Falter (PHI) vs. PIT
Falter has split his 2022 campaign between Triple-A and the majors. He's thoroughly dominated Triple-A hitters. But, unfortunately, he's been inconsistent in The Show, evidenced by his 4.40 ERA and worse ERA estimators.
Still, Falter is facing a borderline minor-league caliber lineup he already carved up this season. On July 29, Falter held the Pirates to two runs on five hits, one walk and eight strikeouts in six innings. Since the Pirates have been dreadful against lefties this year (81 wRC+), Falter will likely thrive against them again tonight. Finally, the betting info is excellent, with the Phillies -275 favorites.
GPP Recommendations:
Spencer Strider (ATL) at STL
Strider would be nipping at Bassitt's heels or ahead of him in the pecking order tonight if he had a better matchup. Instead, the Cardinals are tied for sixth in wRC+ (112) against righties this year. In addition, they've been MLB's most potent offense since the MLB trade deadline on August 2, erupting for a 148 wRC+.
Therefore, Strider has more risk than Bassitt. Still, the sky's the limit for the talented righty. In his previous nine starts, he's had a 2.87 ERA, 2.29 xFIP, 0.96 WHIP, 38.5 K% and 30.2 CSW% in 47.0 innings. So, again, the upside is alluring in GPPs. Finally, the betting info is supportive of using Strider. The Braves are -142, and the game's total is a pitcher-friendly 7.5 runs.
Cade Cavalli (WSH) vs. CIN
The risk of using a rookie pitcher in his first MLB start is apparent. However, Cavalli checks some notable boxes. First, he threw 109 pitches in his most recent start. So, the Nationals haven't been handling him with kid gloves.
Second, Cavalli has been white-hot. In his last 13 starts totaling 68.2 innings, Cavalli has had a 2.10 ERA, 2.93 FIP, 1.02 WHIP, 9.2 BB% and 28.4 K%.
And, of course, a matchup with the Reds is a soft landing for his debut. The Reds are 27th in wRC+ (84) against righties this season. As a result, gamers should fire some bullets on Cavalli in tournaments, especially on DraftKings.
Top Lineup Stacks
- Home (Minute Maid Park)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: Unlisted
Kyle Bradish has pitched fine since returning from the minors, but a 4.21 ERA has hardly been ground for celebration. The rookie also has a 6.25 ERA and 5.35 xERA this season. A five-start sample of mediocre pitching since returning from the minors isn't a compelling case against stacking the Astros. Instead, gamers should be excited about stacking Houston's offense that's tied for sixth in wRC+ (112) against righties in 2022.
- Home (Citizens Bank Park)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 9.0 Runs/PHI -275
Bryse Wilson has been tattooed for a 5.74 ERA, 5.46 xERA and 1.72 HR/9 in 78.1 innings this season. Those are mouthwatering numbers to attack with the Phillies. Further, Philadelphia has been great at home this year, ranking tied for fourth in wRC+ (119). So, this is an eruption spot for the Phillies after a relatively disappointing four-run showing last night.
- Home (Citi Field)
- Value: Low(DK)/Medium(FD)
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.0 Runs/NYM -335
The wheels have come off the bus for Chad Kuhl. In his last six starts lasting only 25.1 innings, he's been destroyed for a 10.17 ERA, 6.26 xFIP and 3.51 HR/9. It's also imperative to note Kuhl hasn't only been a victim of pitching at Coors Field. Instead, he's been worse on the road this year, sporting a 6.08 ERA in 53.1 innings on the road. The Mets can pile onto his road woes tonight as one of MLB's best offenses against righties, tying for second in wRC+ (117) against them.
- Jose Altuve has been a stud in same-handed matchups. Since last year, he's had a .360 OBP, .206 ISO and 135 wRC+ against righties.
- Bryce Harper is returning in time for a juicy matchup. Wilson stinks, and the reigning NL MVP has had a .424 OBP, .356 ISO and 187 wRC+ against righties since 2021.
- Alex Bregman has been unconscious in the second half. In 136 plate appearances, he's mashed eight taters with a .397 OBP, .308 ISO and 193 wRC+.
- Kyle Schwarber is a steal on FanDuel. He's muscled up for a .333 ISO against right-handed pitchers since last season.
- Nelson Cruz hasn't had a banner campaign. Nevertheless, since 2019, he's had a .398 OBP, .284 ISO and 163 wRC+ against southpaws.
- Andrew Vaughn is a certified lefty-killer. The second-year big-leaguer has touched up southpaws for a .384 OBP, .209 ISO and 149 wRC+.
- Daniel Vogelbach is at risk of being lifted for a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner. Regardless, he's had an appealing .378 OBP, .228 ISO and 139 wRC+ against righties since 2021.
- Bo Bichette is a handful for lefties. Since debuting in 2019, he's had a .365 OBP, .204 ISO and 138 wRC+ against them. Bichette is reasonably priced on DK but grossly underpriced on FD.
Friday's Hitter Strategy
The Astros, Phillies and Mets have Charmin-soft matchups, making them the focal points of building DFS offenses tonight. Yet, Cruz, Vaughn and Bichette -- at FD -- are top-shelf values/punts as one-off selections.
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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.
