Tonight’s main MLB DFS slate has 10 games on DraftKings and FanDuel. The action begins at 7:07 pm ET. A few of the game’s best pitchers toe the slab. And a game at Coors Field should assure fans of offense with the fireworks they desire. One of last night’s venues that featured an offensive explosion could have another outburst tonight, too.
Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The top two pitchers are certifiable studs. However, the two middle-tier options on the table are better than their salaries would suggest. So, they're ideal SP2s at DK in cash games and GPPs, respectively. There's also enough value among the hitters to allow gamers to double up on the aces for a few bullets in tournaments. On the flip side, the bargain options are talented enough to warrant using them together on DK in GPPs, too. Frankly, there's not much separating the top two pitchers from one another or the third-ranked pitcher from the fourth-ranked pitcher.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Jacob deGrom (TEX) vs. KC
The first start of the year could have gone better for deGrom. The righty ace allowed five runs on six hits, zero walks and seven strikeouts in 3.2 innings. Nevertheless, his stuff remains elite, and he triumphantly bounced back in his second start this year. He held the Orioles to two runs (one earned) on two hits, two walks and 11 strikeouts in 6.0 innings.
According to FanGraphs, deGrom has a 2.30 xERA, 1.03 WHIP, 5.1 BB%, 46.2 K% and 33.9 CSW%. Most impressively, deGrom is unhittable. He has a 20.0 SwStr%, destroying this year's league average (11.2 SwStr%). The dominant righty has a cupcake matchup tonight against the Royals. Only one potential starter has had higher than a 110 wRC+ against righties since 2021, and six have had a sub-100 wRC+.
The betting info is also superb. According to Betting Pros, the Rangers are -275. So, deGrom is an elite choice in all DFS game types at both DFS providers tonight.
Alek Manoah (TOR) vs. DET
The Cardinals crushed Manoah in his 2023 debut. Then, he spun 7.0 scoreless innings against the Royals in his second start. The first two starts were road tilts. He'll toe the slab at home for the first time in 2023 tonight.
Manoah has dazzled the home crowd in his young career. In 151.0 innings at home, Manoah has had a 2.38 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 6.7 BB% and 23.9 K%. Manoah's 4.15 xFIP was less impressive. Still, the punchless Tigers are unlikely to give Manoah any trouble tonight. The Blue Jays are -278, and Detroit's pathetic offense is a reason for excitedly using Manoah in DFS.
GPP Recommendations:
Shohei Ohtani (LAA) vs. WSH
Gamers aren't crazy if they pick Ohtani over deGrom in any game type. In fact, the Angels (-305) are larger betting favorites than the Rangers. And as the Royals are for deGrom, the Nationals are a tasty cupcake for Ohtani to devour tonight.
Ohtani has been brilliant on the hill this year, spinning two quality starts. He's allowed only one run on five hits, seven walks and 18 strikeouts in 12.0 innings. The two-way star has a 2.50 xERA, 1.00 WHIP, 14.6 BB%, 37.5 K% and 33.2 CSW%. Ohtani's walk rate is the primary reason deGrom edges him for the top spot on tonight's starting pitcher rankings. Still, Ohtani's ceiling is cathedral high.
Pablo Lopez (MIN) vs. CWS
Lopez has seamlessly transitioned from the Marlins to the Twins this year. The righty has a 0.73 ERA, 2.32 xERA, 0.73 WHIP, 9.1 BB%, 36.4 K% and 30.6 CSW% in two starts totaling 12.1 innings this season. Sadly, the righty fell two outs short of a quality start in his first turn this year. However, Lopez had a quality start against his former MLB club in his second turn.
The righty has the most challenging matchup of the suggested pitchers. However, Yoan Moncada was held out of Chicago's lineup yesterday, and Tim Anderson left the game early with knee soreness. Lopez's assignment is markedly less difficult tonight if either or both players are out. He's a stellar GPP pick if both play, though. Finally, the betting info is encouraging. The Twins are -140, and the game's total is 8.0 runs.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Cardinals scored only four runs yesterday in their first game of the series in Colorado. It was an extension of a lackluster start to their 2023 campaign. They've scored more than four runs only twice in nine games. Regardless, their implied total is mouthwatering tonight. St. Louis's projected starters also have a track record of smashing lefties. This is a get-right spot tonight against Kyle Freeland. The veteran lefty hasn't allowed a run in two starts spanning 12.2 innings in 2023. Yet, he's a ticking time bomb with a 3.8 SwStr% and 20.0 CSW% this year. Freeland has also had a 4.69 ERA and allowed a .347 wOBA in 420.0 innings at home in his career. All signs point toward the Red Birds lighting up the scoreboard tonight.
- Home (Globe Life Field)
- Value: Medium
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: GPPs
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.0 Runs/TEX -275
Gamers are unlikely to sleep on the Rangers tonight after they hung 11 runs on the Royals last night. Texas can stay hot in a tantalizing matchup tonight, though. Jordan Lyles has coughed up seven runs (six earned) in 11.0 innings this season. Moreover, the righty's 4.91 ERA is lower than his 6.13 xERA. Thankfully, Texas's lefties and righties should all enjoy the matchup. Last year, Lyles allowed a .500 slugging and .365 wOBA to left-handed batters and a .322 wOBA to right-handed batters. The Rangers can rip the cover off the ball again tonight, making them a high-ceiling tournament stack.
- Paul Goldschmidt has posted superhuman numbers against lefties. He's had a .465 OBP, .342 ISO and 224 wRC+ against them since 2021.
- Willson Contreras has ripped lefties for a .341 OBP, .273 ISO and 135 wRC+ since 2021.
- Tommy Edman is the leadoff hitter against lefties for the Red Birds. It's a fruitful role at MLB's most hitter-friendly venue. Furthermore, Edman's 117 wRC+ against lefties since 2021 is quite good.
- Ha-Seong Kim has gotten off to a fast start this year. He's hit two homers and had a 10.3 BB%, .286 ISO, .359 OBP and 146 wRC+ in 39 plate appearances. The right-handed-hitting infielder has also had a 117 wRC+ against lefties in MLB. As a result, he's a useful punt.
- Jarred Kelenic hit his first homer of the year last night, coming off the bench to smash an impressive bomb. The toolsy youngster has also swiped two bags this year. So is the light finally on for Kelenic? Maybe. The left-handed-hitting outfielder's .212 ISO against righties in his big-league career is good enough to take a stab at for a punt salary anyway.
- Jordan Walker has a hit in all 10 games this year, a historic start for a player 20 years old or younger. He's reasonably priced on FD but is a screaming value on DK. Dylan Carlson is a more attractive value option at FD, where his salary is lower than Walker's.
Tuesday's Hitter Strategy
The Cardinals are the best source of hitters tonight. Their hitters are the most desirable options in all game types. However, the Rangers are a fun stacking alternative or complement to the Cards tonight in tournaments.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
