It’s only a small five-game slate on DraftKings and FanDuel tonight. There are afternoon games that reduce the size of tonight’s main slate that begins at 7:05 pm ET at both DFS providers. As a result, the suggested pitchers and stacks are whittled down to fit the size of tonight’s slate.
Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
A few top-shelf pitchers are getting the ball tonight, but one is a cut above the rest. The other is an excellent GPP pivot. Finally, there's a volatile lefty whose starts range from pitching like a bum to shining like a Cy Young Award-caliber pitcher.
It’s only a small five-game slate on DraftKings and FanDuel tonight. There are afternoon games that reduce the size of tonight’s main slate that begins at 7:05 pm ET at both DFS providers. As a result, the suggested pitchers and stacks are whittled down to fit the size of tonight’s slate.
Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
A few top-shelf pitchers are getting the ball tonight, but one is a cut above the rest. The other is an excellent GPP pivot. Finally, there's a volatile lefty whose starts range from pitching like a bum to shining like a Cy Young Award-caliber pitcher.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Shohei Ohtani (LAA) vs. OAK
Ohtani is an otherworldly talent. According to FanGraphs, in 17 starts totaling 99.1 innings, he's had a 2.81 ERA, 2.49 xERA, 1.02 WHIP, 5.8 BB%, 36.4 K% and 33.5 CSW%.
Additionally, Ohtani has been a strikeout machine lately. He's struck out at least 10 batters in six consecutive turns. Thus, Ohtani shouldn't have complications carving up the A's tonight. Oakland is 29th in wRC+ (78) against righties, striking out at a 24.0% rate. As a result, Ohtani is a clear-cut best pitching pick tonight.
Blake Snell (SD) vs. COL
Snell is effectively wild at his best and disastrously wild at his worst. In Snell's last nine games, he's had an underwhelming 4.30 ERA and wretched 12.6 BB%. However, the lefty has also had a 3.72 xFIP, 29.1 K% and 28.1 CSW%.
Snell is typically a GPP-only profile hurler. Therefore, he should only be used in that format on FD. However, on the small slate, his DK salary and matchup make him a cash SP2 who's also awesome in GPPs. The Rockies are tied for 27th in wRC+ (79) on the road, making them an ideal matchup for Snell. Finally, San Diego's influx of offensive firepower at the trade deadline enhances his odds of a win.
GPP Recommendations:
Julio Urias (LAD) at SF
Urias has had a great campaign. However, he's been sharpest lately. In his last 10 starts totaling 56.2 innings, Urias has had a 2.54 ERA, 3.48 xFIP, 0.85 WHIP, 5.5 BB%, 27.7 K% and 29.1 CSW%.
The hot Urias is drawing the Giants at the right time. Yesterday, they traded lefty-killer Darin Ruf to the Mets. In addition, San Francisco has tied for 18th in wRC+ (98) over the last 30 days, striking out at an exploitable 24.1% rate. So, Urias and the Dodgers are -160, per Betting Pros. Urias has a ceiling tailor-made for GPPs.
Top Lineup Stacks
- Home (PETCO Park)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: Unlisted
The Padres made a splash at the trade deadline, acquiring Juan Soto and Josh Bell. They also further bolstered their lineup with a minor trade for Brandon Drury. Their revamped lineup has a chance to give the home crowd something to cheer about against below-average righty Chad Kuhl. The veteran righty has a 4.59 ERA and 4.93 xERA in 19 starts this year. In addition, Colorado's bullpen is a bottom-five group, elevating San Diego's scoring ceiling tonight.
- Home (Busch Stadium)
- Value: Medium
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.0 Runs/STL -180
Justin Steele is a potentially challenging matchup. Fortunately, the Cardinals are equipped to destroy southpaws and have roughed up better lefties than Steele. The Red Birds are second in wRC+ (123) against lefties this year. Therefore, they're a sweet stack tonight. They also have value options, which is essential on tonight's slate since it's imperative to pay top dollar for pitching and some stud hitters.
- Soto is an elite hitter joining the Friars. Since last year, he's had a .473 OBP, .257 ISO and 176 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers.
- Manny Machado has also been outstanding against righties, ripping them for a .209 ISO and 130 wRC+ since last season.
- Dylan Carlson has been an on-base machine against southpaws, sporting a .394 OBP against them in his career.
- Since 2021, Bryan Reynolds has had a .364 OBP, .234 ISO and 134 wRC+ against righties.
- Tommy Edman is a handful for lefties. In his career, he has a .202 ISO and 121 wRC+ against them.
- Albert Pujols has been pummeling lefties as his career winds to a close. Since 2019, he's muscled up for a .252 ISO and 122 wRC+ against them.
Wednesday's Hitter Strategy
The Padres and Cardinals are the best sources of offense on tonight's five-game slate. Conveniently, they can be mixed to flesh out a complete batting lineup.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
