It’s a medium-sized slate tonight, including eight games. The main slate starts at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. The following selections for pitchers, stacks, core studs and values/punts are narrowed down for the slate size.
Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The high-salaried pitchers aren't as enticing as usual. So, it's a perfect night to turn to the middle-tier pitchers. The top-two pitchers on the table have excellent matchups, and the third listed pitcher is in good form and worthy of tournament usage.
It’s a medium-sized slate tonight, including eight games. The main slate starts at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. The following selections for pitchers, stacks, core studs and values/punts are narrowed down for the slate size.
Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The high-salaried pitchers aren't as enticing as usual. So, it's a perfect night to turn to the middle-tier pitchers. The top-two pitchers on the table have excellent matchups, and the third listed pitcher is in good form and worthy of tournament usage.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Sonny Gray (MIN) vs. KC
Gray has been on a roll. According to FanGraphs, in his previous seven starts spanning 36.2 innings, he's had a 2.45 ERA, 3.76 xFIP, 1.20 WHIP, 26.2 K% and 28.7 CSW%. Gray should remain hot in a good matchup tonight.
The Royals are 25th in wRC+ (89) against right-handed pitchers in 2022. They've also languished in 20th in wRC+ (91) since the MLB trade deadline on August 2. Thus, Gray should cruise tonight. Thankfully, the betting info agrees. According to Betting Pros, the Twins are -200, and the game's total is just 7.5 runs. So, Gray is the best pitcher selection across game types and DFS platforms tonight.
Dane Dunning (TEX) vs. OAK
Dunning isn't the caliber pitcher to get excited about using in DFS. Instead, he's basically average. Dunning has chewed up 143.2 innings to the tune of a 4.39 ERA and 4.13 xFIP in 27 starts.
Still, he's an intriguing choice tonight in an excellent matchup, with terrific betting info to boot. The Athletics are 27th in wRC+ (83) against righties. They've also tied for the seventh-highest strikeout rate (23.7 K%) against them. Further, the Rangers are -160, and the game's total is non-threatening (7.5 runs). Therefore, Dunning is a valuable SP2 at DK and a tournament dart at FD.
GPP Recommendations:
Ross Stripling (TOR) vs. TB
A chip on Stripling tonight is a bet on his talent, despite an unexciting matchup. In his previous five starts totaling 30.1 innings, he's had a 2.67 ERA, 3.07 SIERA, 3.5 BB%, 27.0 K% and 30.7 CSW%. The betting info is also good, albeit not great. The game's total of 8.0 runs is fine, but the Blue Jays are -120.
Again, the matchup is potentially tricky, though. The Rays are 11th in wRC+ (103) against righties. Fortunately, they have the fifth-highest strikeout rate (24.0 K%) against right-handed pitchers. So, Stripling is a fun pick in tournaments since Tampa Bay's high strikeout rate bolsters Stripling's ceiling.
Top Lineup Stacks
It's a Patrick Corbin night. So, you know what to do. The veteran lefty has a 6.30 ERA in 28 starts. But, hilariously, his ERA is lower than his 6.67 xERA. Yikes. At this point, Corbin is throwing batting practice, and opposing hitters have teed off for 1.72 HR/9. Thus, the Orioles are a no-brainer pick, even though they'll be chalky. Further, the O's are a cap-friendly stack, a delectable cherry on top.
- Road (Chase Field)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: Unlisted
There aren't many pitchers equipped to tame the Dodgers. Los Angeles has the highest wRC+ (122) against righties, five points clear of the second-highest mark. But, again, the Dodgers are a nightmare for any pitcher, and Zach Davies' 4.09 ERA, 4.32 xERA and 4.48 xFIP aren't marks to dissuade gamers from stacking LA's high-octane offense.
- Justin Turner has been an unstoppable force for the last two-plus months. In 188 plate appearances since June 30, Turner has had a .436 OBP, .239 ISO and 190 wRC+.
- Anthony Santander has power that will play well against Corbin's homer problems. The switch-hitting outfielder has had a .211 ISO against southpaws since 2019.
- Will Smith rakes in same-handed matchups. Since 2019, the right-handed-hitting catcher has had a .359 OBP, .236 ISO and 134 wRC+.
- Ryan Mountcastle is a cheap power source from the Orioles. Since reaching The Show in 2020, he has a .217 ISO against lefties.
- Nick Gordon has blossomed this year. In 292 plate appearances against righties, he's had a 126 wRC+.
- Corbin Carroll had a monster year in the minors, tallying a .425 OBP, .304 ISO, 157 wRC+, 24 homers and 31 stolen bases in 442 plate appearances. Thankfully, he hasn't stopped tearing the cover off the ball since the Diamondbacks called him up.
Wednesday's Hitter Strategy
The Orioles and Dodgers are a cut above the other offenses tonight. Therefore, they're the sources for hitters tonight. Additionally, Gordon and Carroll are exciting punts, especially at DK.
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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.
