A dozen games are on Friday’s main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel. The games begin at 7:05 pm ET at both DFS providers. There’s an exciting mix of quality pitching and offense, and the following players are excellent selections to fill out your rosters tonight.
Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The top pitcher on the table is an exciting, high-upside GPP selection. The other pitchers have mid-tier salaries and some risk, but they're still attractive options in cash games and tournaments.
A dozen games are on Friday’s main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel. The games begin at 7:05 pm ET at both DFS providers. There’s an exciting mix of quality pitching and offense, and the following players are excellent selections to fill out your rosters tonight.
Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The top pitcher on the table is an exciting, high-upside GPP selection. The other pitchers have mid-tier salaries and some risk, but they're still attractive options in cash games and tournaments.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Ross Stripling (TOR) at TEX
Stripling has an excellent matchup to show out tonight. According to FanGraphs, the Rangers are tied for 22nd in wRC+ (93) against righties. They've also struck out at an exploitable 23.8% rate against them.
Fortunately, Stripling has been on a roll and can take advantage of the matchup. In his last four starts, he's had a 2.59 ERA, 2.91 SIERA, 0.82 WHIP, 4.3 BB%, 28.7 K% and 32.1 CSW% in 24.1 innings. Finally, the betting info is rock-solid. According to Betting Pros, the Blue Jays are -162, and the game's total is 8.0 runs.
Lance McCullers (HOU) vs. LAA
McCullers has a 2.08 ERA in only four starts, but his 4.06 xERA and 4.43 are less impressive. Nevertheless, he has a great matchup and dominates at home. The Angels are tied for 22nd in wRC+ (93) against righties. Additionally, they've struck out at the highest rate (26.8%) against them.
And, again, McCullers has thrived at home. In 368.2 innings in Houston in his career, he's had a 2.69 ERA, 3.28 xFIP, 1.12 WHIP and 27.5 K%. The betting info tilts the scale toward using McCullers in cash games on DK with Stripling. The Astros are -230, and the game's total is 8.0 runs.
GPP Recommendations:
Charlie Morton (ATL) at SEA
Morton has been sharp lately. In his previous six starts spanning 36.0 innings, he's had a 3.00 ERA, 2.67 SIERA, 1.00 WHIP, 6.9 BB%, 34.0 K% and 34.4 CSW%. Sadly, Morton doesn't have a great matchup.
Regardless, Morton's strikeout ability is GPP-friendly. Further, the betting info is decent. The Braves are -113, and the game's total is a pitcher-friendly 7.0 runs.
Lucas Giolito (CWS) at OAK
Giolito has underachieved this year. Still, he's been useful on the road. In 69.0 innings on the road this season, Giolito has had a 3.91 ERA, 3.79 xFIP, 1.41 WHIP and 25.8 K%. Obviously, Giolito's WHIP has been lackluster. Nevertheless, his 25.8 K% will play in tournaments.
The matchup is also a check in the pros column for rolling the dice on Giolito. The Athletics are 27th in wRC+ (83) against righties. Finally, the Pale Hose are -165, and the game's total is merely 7.5 runs. Thus, firing bullets on Giolito in tournaments is exciting.
Top Lineup Stacks
- Home (Citizens Bank Park)
- Value: Low(DK)/Medium(FD)
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: Unlisted
When Patrick Corbin gets the ball, the opposing offense usually lights up the scoreboard. The lefty has a 6.28 ERA, 6.34 xERA and 1.67 HR/9 in 27 starts in 2022. It's a testament to the ineptitude of the Nationals that they keep starting him. Further, the Phillies have hammered lefties this season, tying for seventh in wRC+ (116) against them. Thus, the Phillies should crush Corbin tonight.
- Road (Coors Field)
- Value: Medium
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 11.0 Runs/ARI -104
Coors Field is MLB's premier hitting venue, and that's reflected in the game's juicy total. The hitter-friendly conditions are also ideal for keeping the Diamondbacks cooking at the dish. Since MLB's trade deadline on August 2, Arizona is tied for 11th with a 105 wRC+. Moreover, the pitching matchup is sweet. German Marquez has been destroyed for a 6.09 ERA at home this season.
- Road (T-Mobile Park)
- Value: Low
- Risk: High
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: 7.0 Runs/ATL -113
Gamers shouldn't go overboard with stacking the Braves against Robbie Ray. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner has been lights out at home and dialed in lately. Still, Atlanta's offense is second in wRC+ (124) against lefties. It's a genuine clash of the titans tonight, and the game's total will dissuade gamers from stacking the Braves on tonight's big slate with vast alternatives. So, taking a chance on Atlanta's offensive excellence against lefties coming through against Ray's dominance from the hill can pay off significantly if the lefty hurler has an off night.
- Since 2019, Rhys Hoskins has clobbered lefties for a .418 OBP, .301 ISO and 164 wRC+.
- Alec Bohm has terrorized lefties since reaching the majors in 2020. In 334 plate appearances, he has a .374 OBP, .184 ISO and 138 wRC+.
- Daulton Varsho is delivering on his spring hype. In 498 plate appearances this season, he's slugged 23 homers with a .214 ISO, 111 wRC+ and eight stolen bases.
- Ketel Marte has been nearly precisely average at the plate this year, owning a 101 wRC+. Frankly, average with a lineup spot in the heart of the order at Coors Field is a lot of bang for your buck at his FD salary.
- Corbin Carroll hasn't been overmatched after raking through the upper minors this year. The top-shelf prospect slugged 24 round-trippers with 31 stolen bases, a .304 ISO, .425 OBP and 157 wRC+ in 442 plate appearances in Double-A and Triple-A combined this year. He's also had a 118 wRC+ through his first 34 plate appearances in The Show.
- Jake McCarthy has a 110 wRC+ through his first 233 plate appearances against righties since reaching the majors with the Diamondbacks last season.
Friday's Hitter Strategy
The Phillies and Diamondbacks are a treasure trove for hitter selections tonight. However, the Braves are a high-risk, high-reward stack worth a look in GPPs for brave -- bad pun intended -- gamers.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
