MLB DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Wednesday (4/12)

Tonight’s main slate has only six games and starts at a unique time, beginning at 6:35 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. The pitching is top-heavy. Yet, none of the offenses are flawless, either. The following picks were reduced from the standard size to fit the small slate.

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Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The middle-tier and value pitchers leave much to be desired tonight. The medium-value pitcher on the table is an intriguing choice in GPPs. However, paying the requisite cap space for the top two pitchers in cash games is wise.

Cash Game Recommendations:

Spencer Strider (ATL) vs. CIN
Everything comes up roses for Strider tonight. First, he's a stud. According to FanGraphs, Strider has had a 2.74 ERA, 2.31 xFIP, 1.01 WHIP, 8.4 BB%, 38.3 K% and 31.3 CSW% in 22 starts spanning 118.1 innings since converting from a reliever to a starting pitcher last year.

Second, per Betting Pros, the Braves are -275, and the game's total is 8.0 runs. Third, the Reds are a Charmin-soft matchup. No matter the lineup arrangement the Reds trot out tonight, only three of their hitters have had higher than a 110 wRC+ against righties since 2021. The group also lacks power and strikes out frequently. As a result, Strider is the best pitcher on tonight's slate in all game types.

Kevin Gausman (TOR) vs. DET
Sadly, Alek Manoah flubbed a golden opportunity against the Tigers last night. Gausman is a better pitcher than Manoah. So, he should carve up Detroit's lowly lineup. Seven of Detroit's hitters have had a wRC+ of 95 or lower against righties since 2021 (or since debuting for youngsters who reached the majors last season).

Understandably, the Blue Jays are sizable favorites (-275). Gausman's fly in the ointment was his 4.57 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 80.2 innings at home since joining the Blue Jays as a free agent last year. Fortunately, Gausman's 2.76 xFIP, 4.0 BB% and 27.4 K% were fantasy-friendly marks. Therefore, his struggles at home might be a flukey blip on the radar. Gausman is off to an excellent start this year, spinning a 0.00 ERA, 3.47 xERA, 1.25 WHIP, 5.9 BB%, 27.5 K% and 28.4 CSW% in two starts that spanned 12.0 innings. He should stay sharp tonight and is stellar in all game types.

GPP Recommendation:

Alex Cobb (SF) vs. LAD
Freeing up some salary for the following stacks in GPPs would be ideal. So, taking a chance on a pitcher with a more cap-friendly salary than Strider's or Gausman's is a worthwhile maneuver. Thankfully, Cobb has some checks in the pros column for using him tonight.

First, the game's total is only 7.5 runs, the lowest on the slate. Although, the Giants are +148. Second, since joining the Giants last year, Cobb has had a 2.67 ERA, 2.83 xFIP, 1.14 WHIP, 6.8 BB% and 25.8 K% in 94.1 innings pitched at home. The Dodgers are a challenging matchup, but Cobb's dominance in his pitcher-friendly park is intriguing at his affordable salary.

Top Lineup Stacks

• Home (Rogers Centre)
• Value: Low
• Risk: Medium
• Game Type: GPP
• Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/TOR -275

Toronto's salaries are too high to stack them in cash games tonight. Getting a piece or two is possible in all game types. However, stacking them is a GPP move on this slate. Five projected starters have had at least a 120 wRC+ against southpaws since 2021. Six players will fit the bill if the Blue Jays start Alejandro Kirk instead of Danny Jansen. So, the Blue Jays have high-end lefty-killing talent and depth, making them a high-upside stack against Eduardo Rodriguez. In addition, E-Rod has been roughed up for a 6.30 ERA, 4.46 xERA and 6.09 xFIP in two starts this year. The Blue Jays can further his woes tonight.

• Home (Tropicana Field)
• Value: High
• Risk: Medium
• Game Type: Both
• Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/TB -125

The white-hot Rays have a dreamy mix of high-upside players and bargain options. The value choices are ideal on tonight's slate with the lack of palatable bargain pitchers for cash games. Still, their upside shouldn't be dismissed. Seven of the projected starters have had at least a 120 wRC+ against lefties since 2021. Further, if Christian Bethancourt starts instead of Francisco Mejia, the latter's 108 wRC+ against lefties since 2021 isn't a disastrous downgrade from Mejia's 120 wRC+.

And, of course, Chris Sale hasn't found his mojo since enduring multiple years of injury-plagued seasons. Sale's been lit up for an 11.25 ERA, 7.59 xERA and 4.50 HR/9 in two starts spanning only 8.0 innings this year. Yikes. Finally, gamers can stack anywhere in Tampa Bay's lineup. So, gamers entering multiple lineups in GPPs shouldn't discount a wrap-around stack that includes players at the bottom of the order.

• Wander Franco's roughed up lefties for a .378 OBP, .215 ISO and 160 wRC+ in 196 plate appearances in his career. The wunderkind is also finding his power stroke this year, mashing four taters already in 2023, with the superb exit velocity to support the pop.
• George Springer sits atop Toronto's lineup and excels against lefties. Since 2021, he's had a .351 OBP, .224 ISO and 131 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers.

• Isaac Paredes has had a .346 OBP, .227 ISO and 139 wRC+ against lefties since 2021, making him an ideal punt at both DFS sites.
• Vinnie Pasquantino is a steal. He hits in the heart of Kansas City's order and has a .400 OBP, .211 ISO and 148 wRC+ this season.
• Harold Ramirez is a platoon hitter, creating a risk of getting pulled early after Sale is removed. Nonetheless, Ramirez's .374 OBP and 140 wRC+ against lefties since 2021 are worth rolling the dice on at his salary, even with the risk of an early exit looming.
• James Outman has hit at every rung of the professional ladder. And instead of slowing down in The Show, he's mashing down the accelerator. In 43 plate appearances this year, Outman has had three homers, two stolen bases, a 20.9 BB%, .442 OBP, .455 ISO and 198 wRC+. So, Outman's lineup spot near the bottom of LA's order can be forgiven.

Wednesday's Hitter Strategy
The Rays are the best source of hitters across all DFS game types tonight because of the mix of high-end talent and affordable values. Gamers should make some lineup concessions to afford Strider and Gausman in cash games. Yet, the Blue Jays are a fun stack 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.