There are 14 games on Friday’s jam-packed main slate. The action begins at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. Today’s DFS Primer highlights the best pitchers, stacks, studs and values/punts.
Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
A lefty who's been in a groove since the MLB All-Star Break is the headline hurler on tonight's slate. Three riskier righties are the other suggested options for usage tonight.
There are 14 games on Friday’s jam-packed main slate. The action begins at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. Today’s DFS Primer highlights the best pitchers, stacks, studs and values/punts.
Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
A lefty who's been in a groove since the MLB All-Star Break is the headline hurler on tonight's slate. Three riskier righties are the other suggested options for usage tonight.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Blake Snell (SD) at ARI
The ever-erratic Snell has been on a heater down the home stretch. According to FanGraphs, in 10 starts in the second half spanning 53.0 innings, Snell has had a 2.89 ERA, 2.75 xFIP, 1.21 WHIP, 6.4 BB%, 33.2 K% and 29.3 CSW%.
He'll attempt to stay hot in a good matchup tonight. The Diamondbacks are tied for 25th in wRC+ (87) against lefties this year. Finally, the betting info is good. According to Betting Pros, the Padres are -180.
Corey Kluber (TB) vs. TEX
Kluber has been sharp at home this season. In 74.2 innings at home, he's had a 3.74 ERA, 3.68 xFIP, 1.06 WHIP, 3.0 BB% and 23.0 K%. Sadly, Kluber has had an ugly 5.30 ERA in seven starts since August 1. Still, his 4.00 xFIP has been less alarming.
So, he's an intriguing value option with a good matchup and excellent betting info. The Rangers are tied for 21st in wRC+ (95) against right-handed pitchers this year. Finally, the Rays are -145, and the game's total is tiny at only 7.0 runs.
GPP Recommendations:
Lucas Giolito (CWS) at DET
Unfortunately, Giolito has an ERA north of 5.00 after three seasons hovering around 3.50. Yet, his 4.37 xERA and 3.65 xFIP have been less wretched. Additionally, Giolito has had a 25.3 K% and 28.9 CSW%. So, he can still punch out batters and generate strikes.
Further, he's pitched better on the road (3.96 ERA) than at home (6.61). Thus, there have been flashes of usefulness. Fortunately, Giolito has a plum draw and favorable betting info tonight. The Tigers are 30th in wRC+ (72) against righties. They've also struck out at an exploitable 25.2% clip against them. And, again, the betting info is stellar. The White Sox are -150, and the game's total is a pitcher-friendly 7.5 runs.
Logan Webb (SF) vs. LAD
The risk of using Webb tonight will be significantly reduced if the Dodgers rest some of their starters. They used a hangover lineup on Wednesday night after clinching the NL West on Tuesday night. So, they might opt to give some of their starters days/nights off to conclude the regular season.
Nevertheless, Webb has a compelling case for usage in GPPs, regardless of who the Dodgers start. San Francisco's ace has had a 2.70 ERA, 3.04 xFIP, 1.23 WHIP, 6.1 BB% and 21.4 K% in 90.0 innings at home this season. Finally, the game's total is a non-threatening 7.5 runs, and the Giants are only modest underdogs (+145).
Top Lineup Stacks
- Home (Busch Stadium)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: Unlisted
DK projects Reiver Sanmartin to start for the Reds tonight. The left-handed pitcher has had a 6.61 ERA in 37 appearances (four starts) for the Reds, lasting just 49.0 innings. As a result, he's no match for MLB's most potent offense against lefties. The Red Birds have the highest wRC+(132) against southpaws this season.
- Home (Rogers Centre)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: Unlisted
The Blue Jays will take swings against Jordan Lyles for the third time this season. In his previous two starts against Toronto, Lyles has allowed 13 hits, four walks and six runs in 11.0 innings. So, he hasn't been a particularly challenging foe for the Blue Jays. But, of course, that's par for the course for Lyles, evidenced by his 4.62 ERA and 4.97 xERA in 156.0 innings this year. The Blue Jays are tied for second in wRC+ (117) against righties. Therefore, they're equipped to lay the lumber to the offerings of a mediocre pitcher such as Lyles.
- Road (Rogers Centre)
- Value: Medium(DK)/High(FD)
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: Unlisted
The Blue Jays haven't announced a starter, but DK projects Thomas Hatch to take the hill. He'd be a welcome sight for Baltimore's hitters. Hatch has a 5.58 ERA in 40.1 innings in The Show. The righty has also had an unimpressive 5.02 ERA in 122.0 innings in Triple-A this year. As a result, Baltimore's offensive outlook is excellent if Hatch starts.
- Paul Goldschmidt has terrorized opposing pitchers this year. He's mashed 35 taters with six stolen bases, a .279 ISO, .413 OBP and 185 wRC+ in 593 plate appearances. Further, Goldy has destroyed lefties in his career.
- Tyler O'Neill has shown off his nifty blend of power and speed as the regular season winds to an end. In 149 plate appearances since August 1, he's had nine homers, a .242 ISO, four stolen bases and 124 wRC+.
- Gunnar Henderson hasn't wilted under the bright lights in the Bigs. Instead, he's had a 153 wRC+ in his first 54 plate appearances for the Orioles.
- Max Muncy is the first of two sluggers grossly underpriced on FD. In 153 plate appearances since August 1, he's had 11 dongs with a .308 ISO, .359 OBP and 161 wRC+.
- Michael Massey has hit the ground running in the majors. In 135 plate appearances, he's had two homers, three stolen bases, a .353 OBP and 119 wRC+.
- Matt Chapman is a cheap power source against Lyles. In 208 plate appearances against righties at Rogers Centre this season, he's muscled up for 13 homers and a .251 ISO.
Friday's Hitter Strategy
The Red Birds are the best source of offense on tonight's stacked slate. However, the Blue Jays are a sweet GPP choice, and the Orioles are an excellent source of offense in all game types. Moreover, Baltimore's hitters are significantly underpriced on FanDuel. The same can be said for Muncy and Chapman, highlighted above as FD-specific punts/values.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
