Thursday’s afternoon slate was already a small one. However, after two postponements, it’s tiny. There are only four games on the main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel. The slate begins at 1:10 pm ET. Today’s suggested players are narrowed to a smaller group to match the slate size.
Thursday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The two top hurlers on the table are considerably better than the other six starting pitchers taking the bump today. However, the final listed option has favorable betting info, a good matchup and somewhat encouraging underlying data in their first start, despite the ugly performance.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Kevin Gausman (TOR) at KC
First, according to Betting Pros, the Blue Jays are the largest betting favorite on today's slate at -200. Second, the game's total of 8.5 runs aligns with all but the game at Coors Field. Second, Gausman was solid in his first start this year. He allowed three runs (zero earned runs) on eight hits, one walk and seven strikeouts in 6.0 innings.
Gausman was good in his first year with the Blue Jays last season. According to FanGraphs, he had a 3.35 ERA, 3.34 xERA, 2.75 xFIP, 1.24 WHIP, 3.9 BB%, 28.3 K% and 29.8 CSW% in 174.2 innings in 2022. The veteran righty has a good matchup today. The Royals have only one projected starter with a wRC+ above 108 against righties since 2021. Further, six of the projected starters have a wRC+ under 100. As a result, Gausman is the most attractive pitching choice on today's small slate.
Lance Lynn (CWS) vs. SF
Sadly, Lynn walked four batters and hit a batter in 5.2 innings in his first start this season. So, his control was lackluster, suffice to say. Still, he allowed only two runs and struck out six batters in the start. Lynn's plate discipline data was stellar, too.
The Giants aren't a pushover assignment, creating some risk to Lynn's performance today. The betting info is good, though. The game's total is only 8.0 runs, tied for the lowest on the slate. And the White Sox are -135. And, of course, Lynn had a rock-solid 2022 campaign. In 21 starts totaling 121.2 innings, he had a 3.99 ERA, 3.62 xERA, 3.35 SIERA, 1.13 WHIP, 3.7 BB%, 24.2 K% and 26.7 CSW%. Finally, Lynn benefits from the lack of high-floor alternatives. As a result, he's the best SP2 in cash games on DK.
GPP Recommendation:
Chris Sale (BOS) at DET
The Orioles hammered Sale for seven runs and three homers in the veteran lefty's first start this year. Still, Sale struck out six batters, with a 17.6 SwStr% and 35.1 CSW%. Moreover, Sale's fastball velocity was in the range it was before battling through injuries in previous years, and he used all of his offerings.
Fenway Park is a brutal venue for pitchers. Conversely, Comerica Park has the seventh-lowest park factor for runs (0.925) and the lowest one for homers (0.738). Detroit made notable changes to Comerica Park's dimensions. Still, it won't be a hitter-friendly venue.
Sale can also benefit from a soft matchup. Detroit's lineup doesn't have high-end lefty-killing hitters. Further, the betting info is encouraging. The Red Sox are -155, and the game's total is 8.0 runs. Thus, the Red Sox are the second-largest betting favorite, and the game's total is tied for the lowest on the four-game slate. Sale might be completely washed-up and make the Tigers look like an offensive juggernaut. Yet, he's a high-upside tournament option if he has anything left in the tank.
Top Lineup Stack
Alex Wood was good as recently as 2021. The bottom fell out last year, though. The veteran lefty had an ugly 5.10 ERA. Yet, his 4.00 xERA and 3.41 xFIP were markedly better. So, he might not be a punching bag for the White Sox. Still, the Pale Hose have many lefty-killing hitters. Six projected starters have a 137 wRC+ or higher against lefties since 2021. No stack will entirely fly under the radar on a four-game slate. But the White Sox might be undervalued since there's a game at Coors Field and Toronto's high-powered lineup has a cupcake matchup.
- Joey Meneses will get the park-factor bump from Coors Field. In addition, he has a .400 OBP, .278 ISO and 187 wRC+ in 85 plate appearances against lefties in his young MLB career.
- Since 2021, Tim Anderson has had a .365 OBP and 139 wRC+ against southpaws.
- Ryan McMahon has feasted with the platoon advantage at home. In 440 plate appearances against righties at Coors Field since 2021, McMahon has had a .352 OBP, .262 ISO, .381 wOBA and 114 wRC+.
- Jake Burger was recalled from the minors when the White Sox placed Eloy Jimenez on the Injured List (IL). The right-handed-hitting infielder has muscled up for a .259 ISO and 147 wRC+ in 62 plate appearances against lefties in the majors.
- Lane Thomas is a table-setter for the Nationals and has the platoon advantage against Kyle Freeland. The left-handed hurler coughed up a .511 slugging and .364 wOBA to right-handed batters in Colorado last year. Meanwhile, Thomas has had a .362 OBP, .193 ISO and 132 wRC+ against lefties since 2021.
- Sadly, Brandon Belt has struggled out of the gate for the Blue Jays. Nonetheless, the sample is small. Furthermore, Belt has had a .353 OBP, .267 ISO and 136 wRC+ against righties since 2021. And left-handed hitters tattooed Jordan Lyles for a .500 slugging and .365 wOBA last season.
Thursday's Hitter Strategy
Gamers should mix in some hitters from the game at Coors Field. Still, the Blue Jays and White Sox are also excellent sources of offense. The punts are plentiful on the small slate, allowing gamers to use the top pitchers and select some of the highest-salaried hitters.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
