Friday slates are typically massive. However, this week’s is only a five-game slate at DraftKings and FanDuel, beginning at 6:40 pm ET. The suggested players are reduced from a full slate to fit the small-to-medium-sized slate tonight.
Also, take a look at our other best bets for Friday:
Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The pitching options for Friday's medium-sized slate aren't flawless. However, saving some salary is appealing, making the middle hurler on the table the most attractive across game types. The top-ranked pitcher above is more desirable at his salary on DraftKings than at FanDuel. And the electrifying lefty rounding out the picks can potentially overcome an undesirable matchup.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Cristian Javier (HOU) vs. CWS
Javier was too good for the Astros last year for them to leave him in a swing role. Instead, according to FanGraphs, he had a 2.68 ERA, 3.28 SIERA, 0.97 WHIP, 9.2 BB%, 32.6 K% and 28.0 CSW% in 25 starts totaling 134.1 innings.
The White Sox aren't a pushover offense. However, they're also not an unstoppable force. Javier should also be stretched out for a full or near-full workload in his 2023 debut after pitching 5.2 innings in his final start in spring training. Finally, per Betting Pros, the Astros are -159 favorites.
Nick Martinez (SD) vs. COL
The Padres (-190) are the largest betting favorite on tonight's slate. Obviously, that's an excellent starting point for Martinez. He was a swingman for the Padres last year in his return stateside. Martinez had an adequate 4.30 ERA and 4.36 xFIP in the 10 starts spanning 52.1 innings he made for the Friars last season.
He also had an acceptable 20.4 K%. However, Martinez had a stellar 28.2 CSW% which could point toward more strikeout potential. Speaking of strikeouts, the Rockies punched out an eye-popping 17 times yesterday. They scored seven runs, but their penchant for punchouts on the road enhances the appeal of using Martinez in all game types at his bargain salary.
GPP Recommendations:
Jesus Luzardo (MIA) vs. MIA
Luzardo won't have it easy against the high-salary Mets. Fortunately, he has the dazzling stuff to overcome any matchup when he's dialed in. Luzardo's 31.0 CSW% last year was the highest for any of tonight's starters in their starts last season. The young lefty had a 3.32 ERA which aligned with all of his ERA estimators. And Luzardo's 30.0 K% was superb.
The young lefty's strikeout potential gives him a tournament-friendly ceiling. Additionally, he threw 81 pitches in his final start in spring training, giving him a chance to throw 90-plus pitches tonight. Gamers should consider chasing Luzardo's tantalizing ceiling in GPPs in his pitcher-friendly ballpark tonight.
Top Lineup Stacks
Kyle Freeland has pitched better on the road than in his hitter-friendly home digs. Still, the lefty has a 4.58 xFIP on the road in his career, and last year's 4.27 xFIP in road games was his career-best mark. He's also struck out fewer than 20% of batters he's faced on the road in his career. San Diego has superstar talent at the top of the lineup, and only one player projected in their lineup with less than a 105 wRC+ against lefties since 2021.
- Home (T-Mobile Park)
- Value: Medium
- Risk: High
- Game Type: GPPs
- Game Total/Moneyline: 7.5 Runs/SEA -162
Hunter Gaddis took some lumps in his first two starts in the majors last year. He coughed up 15 runs and seven homers in only 7.1 innings. Yikes. Still, Gaddis had a 4.01 ERA, 3.88 FIP and 32.0 K% in 23 starts in the upper minors (Double-A and Triple-A) last year. So, he has the potential to find his footing. Gaddis's scouting report at FanGraphs pegs him as a long-term multi-inning relief pitcher instead of a blossoming frontline starter. The game's low total and the hitter-friendly park factors at T-Mobile Park make the Mariners a riskier stack than meets the eye. The risk is worth embracing for their ceiling, though.
- Since 2021, Manny Machado has a .357 OBP, .220 ISO and 129 wRC+ against lefties.
- Julio Rodriguez mashed 28 taters and stole 25 bases last year as a rookie. He also raked in same-handed matchups. In 425 plate appearances against righties, Rodriguez has a .341 OBP, .233 ISO and 148 wRC+.
- Yordan Alvarez hit a dong yesterday and has destroyed righties. Since 2021, he has a .374 OBP, .291 ISO and 160 wRC+ against them.
- Maybe, Nelson Cruz genuinely fell off the cliff last year. He's traditionally destroyed southpaws and underwent eye surgery after the 2022 season to correct inflammation in his left eye that impacted his vision. The importance of seeing pitches for hitters can't be overstated, and it gives Cruz a reasonable excuse for his dreadful performance last season. The long-time lefty-killer is a steal if he has anything left in the tank.
- Ha-Seong Kim is listed as the leadoff hitter on the table for San Diego's projected lineup. If he's leading off, he's an exciting punt. Yet, his 110 wRC+ against lefties since coming to the US in 2021 is rock-solid, making him a useful punt even if he hits lower in the lineup.
- Jarred Kelenic's development from an elite prospect to a big-leaguer hasn't gone according to plans. Still, his potential is immense, and he's only 23 years old. The left-handed-hitting outfielder has a .219 ISO against righties in his young career, and he stole a base yesterday. Thus, Kelenic is a decent dart in tournaments at his small salary.
Friday's Hitter Strategy
The Friars will likely be chalky tonight. Nevertheless, they're the slate's most exciting stack in all DFS game types. The Mariners have a high-upside stack, too. And saving salary at pitcher will allow gamers to spend the requisite salary for Alvarez's booming bat. Finally, gamers are encouraged to spend the big bucks for the stud hitters and offset them with punts.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
