MLB DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Wednesday (4/5)

Rejoice, gamers. It’s a fun afternoon MLB DFS slate today. There are nine games on the featured slate at DraftKings and FanDuel. The fun begins at 1:05 pm ET. The pitching options are out of this world but are narrowed below to the four most enticing selections. The hitting choices are entirely centered around two offenses.

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Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
There's no shortage of elite pitchers to pick from today. However, the four highlighted choices have the best salary, production and matchup blend. As a result, two of the pitchers on the table are tabbed as the best picks in cash games, and two are the most exciting options in tournaments.

Cash Game Recommendations:

Shane McClanahan (TB) at WSH
McClanahan held the Tigers scoreless on four hits, one walk and six strikeouts in 6.0 innings and on 87 pitches in his 2023 debut. The elite lefty picked up where he left off from a dominant 2022 campaign. According to FanGraphs, McClanahan had a 2.54 ERA, 2.60 xFIP, 0.83 WHIP, 5.9 BB%, 30.3 K% and 32.8 CSW% in 166.1 innings last year.

In addition, McClanahan has pitched well in road contests in his young career. In 119.2 innings on the road, McClanahan has a 2.71 ERA, 2.88 xFIP, 0.98 WHIP, 5.8 BB% and 27.4 K%. The matchup is good for McClanahan to build on his success on the road. Only three of Washington's projected starters have a wRC+ above 100 against lefties since 2021.

The betting info is the cherry on top for the southpaw. According to Betting Pros, the Rays are -250. McClanahan has a blend of a high floor and ceiling, making him an ideal choice in cash games and a stellar pick in tournaments.

Cristian Javier (HOU) vs. DET
Javier is a screaming value at DK. The Tigers have surprisingly given the Astros fits in the series. Nevertheless, their lineup isn't imposing. Instead, it's inviting to pick against with a hurler the caliber of Javier. Only two hitters in Detroit's projected lineup have a wRC+ above 100 against righties since 2021. The others are at a 92 wRC+ or lower. Moreover, seven of the players have a strikeout rate of at least 26.1%, with six sporting at least a 28.9 K% against righties since 2021.

The matchup is juicy for a strikeout artist such as Javier. The righty struck out six batters in 5.0 innings in his 2023 debut. Javier is also coming off a phenomenal season in 2022. In 148.2 innings, Javier had a 2.54 ERA, 2.43 xERA, 0.95 WHIP and 33.2 K%. Javier has also dazzled at home. In 140.0 innings in Houston since 2021, he has a 2.70 ERA, 3.82 xFIP, 1.06 WHIP and 31.4 K%. Javier's a good selection in all game types at FD, a no-brainer choice in cash games on DK and a high-upside, yet chalky, pick in GPPs on DK.

GPP Recommendations:

Dylan Cease (CWS) vs. SF
Cease will frequently be the headline hurler on DFS slates this year. Yet, he's opposing Logan Webb and competing with other elite pitchers for the top honors today. Thus, it's a fun opportunity to chase his upside in tournaments.

Cease allowed only one run on two hits, zero walks and 10 strikeouts to the Astros on Opening Day in enemy territory. He'll pitch in front of his home fans today. Cease has excelled at home since his legitimate breakout in 2021. In 192.1 innings at home since 2021, Cease has a 2.71 ERA, 3.60 xFIP, 1.09 WHIP and 31.9 K%.

The Giants are a trickier matchup than McClanahan and Javier contend with today. However, the Giants also showcased a penchant to punch out against another dominant righty ace on Opening Day, fanning 11 times against Gerrit Cole in 6.0 innings. As a result, the sky's the limit for Cease.

Pablo Lopez (MIN) at MIA
Lopez returns to his old stomping grounds to face the Marlins this afternoon. During his tenure in Miami, he enjoyed toeing the slab at pitcher-friendly loanDepot park. In 284.0 innings at home in Miami, Lopez had a 3.45 ERA, 3.70 xFIP, 1.15 WHIP, 6.8 BB% and 23.1 K%. His numbers at Miami alone make him a compelling value pick.

The Marlins are a mediocre offense against righties, and Lopez got off to a tremendous start in his stint with the Twins. He threw 5.1 scoreless innings on two hits, three walks, one hit batter and eight strikeouts. Interestingly, per FanGraphs, he averaged 95.0 mph with his heater, up from 93.6 mph last year and the highest average velocity of his career. They also credited him with throwing a previously unseen slider at a 23.5% clip. Lopez's extra sharp cheddar and new slider helped him post a jaw-dropping 20.0 SwStr% and 34.1 CSW%. There's a lot to like about Lopez as a GPP pick today across DFS platforms.

Top Lineup Stacks

• Road (Nationals Park)
• Value: High
• Risk: Low
• Game Type: Both
• Game Total/Moneyline: 8.0 Runs/TB -250

Patrick Corbin is making another start for the Nationals. Therefore, the opponent is an elite stacking option. The Rays are the lucky duckies today. Seriously, Corbin's ineptitude can't be overstated. The veteran lefty's 6.05 ERA is the highest among qualified pitchers since 2021, and no one else has an ERA above 4.86. Corbin has also allowed 1.76 HR/9 during that time frame. Moreover, righties destroyed him for a .526 SLG and .388 wOBA last year. There's no reason to overthink using the Rays against Corbin.

• Home (Fenway Park)
• Value: Medium
• Risk: Low
• Game Type: Both
• Game Total/Moneyline: 9.5 Runs/BOS -145

The Red Sox are home today, instantly putting them on the radar. Fenway Park has the third-highest park factor for runs (1.210) and enhances singles (1.116), doubles (1.298), triples (1.643) and homers (1.095). Mitch Keller is a nifty matchup for Boston's offense, too. He had a 3.91 ERA but a less impressive 4.23 xERA in 159.0 innings in 2022. Finally, the betting info above supports stacking the Red Sox in all game types today.

• Randy Arozarena is a menace for lefties. Since 2021, he's roughed them up to the tune of a .375 OBP, .241 ISO and 156 wRC+.
• Wander Franco is the other elite piece of exposure to washed-up Corbin. The wunderkind infielder has a .383 OBP, .208 ISO and 160 wRC+ against lefties since reaching The Show in 2021.
• Rafael Devers is superb with the platoon advantage. He's creamed righties for a .367 OBP, .294 ISO and 153 wRC+ since 2021.

• Isaac Paredes is a tantalizing punt. He has had a .340 OBP, .213 ISO and 131 wRC+ in 147 plate appearances against lefties since 2021.
• Triston Casas has a .341 OBP, .288 ISO and 127 wRC+ in his first 82 plate appearances against righties in the majors.
• Manuel Margot's .360 OBP and 122 wRC+ against lefties since 2021 are plenty of bang for your buck. He's also a threat to steal a base. Margot stole seven bases in 89 games last year and swiped his first bag of 2023 against the Nationals last night.

Wednesday's Hitter Strategy
The Rays and Red Sox are the best sources of hitters today. The Rays have a cushy matchup, and the Red Sox have a good matchup and dreamy hitting conditions at Fenway Park. Gamers are encouraged to invest in these AL East offenses today heavily.

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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.