Tuesday’s MLB DFS slate is large. It has 13 games at DraftKings and FanDuel, beginning at 7:05 pm ET at both DFS providers. The slate has an excellent mix of useful pitchers at different salaries and high-upside offenses. Because the slate is massive, the suggested options in today’s primer are vast and include four pitchers, three stacks, three studs and four values/punts.
Monday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Two pitchers with superb numbers this year are atop the table, with the first listed hurler getting the edge for top honors because of his salary discount and a more favorable matchup. Yet, the second pitcher's ceiling is perfect for tournaments. The third pitcher is DK's most desirable SP2 in all game types. And he has a case for usage in tournaments at FD. The final listed pitcher is risky but underperforming his ERA estimators, potentially making him a helpful SP2 in tournaments on DK.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Zac Gallen (ARI) vs. COL
Gallen had two lousy starts to open the year and made a mess on May 19. However, he's been outstanding in his other eight turns. Gallen has allowed no more than two runs in seven starts this year.
Additionally, his overall numbers are stellar. According to FanGraphs, in 11 starts spanning 66.2 innings, Gallen has a 2.97 ERA, 3.53 xERA, 3.16 xFIP, 1.02 WHIP, 5.3 BB%, 28.3 K% and 29.0 CSW%.
The righty has an ideal matchup and dreamy betting info, too. The Rockies are 29th in wRC+ (77) and have a 24.6 K% on the road this season. And, per Betting Pros, the Diamondbacks are -240, and the game's total is 8.0 runs. Therefore, Gallen is the top pitcher tonight.
Brayan Bello (BOS) vs. CIN
Bello is in a groove. In his previous five starts, he's had a 2.57 ERA, 3.61 xFIP, 3.68 SIERA, 1.25 WHIP, 7.6 BB%, 24.6 K% and 26.8 CSW%.
The righty can maintain his momentum in a good matchup tonight. The Reds are 24th in wRC+ (88) and have a 24.4 K% against right-handed pitchers this year. Furthermore, the betting info is decent. The game's total of 9.5 runs is concerning, but the Red Sox are -190, alleviating some of the concern.
GPP Recommendations:
Shane McClanahan (TB) at CHC
First, the betting info is tantalizing for McClanahan. The Rays are -190, and the game's total is a puny 7.5 runs. Second, McClanahan has top-shelf marks for the season and lately. In his last five starts, the lefty ace has had a 1.80 ERA, 3.79 xFIP, 3.92 SIERA, 1.17 WHIP, 9.0 BB%, 27.0 K% and 30.4 CSW%.
Obviously, his ERA estimators haven't matched his sub-2.00 ERA. They were still above average. The matchup is challenging. Although it provides him with strikeout potential. The Cubs are fourth in wRC+ (121) against lefties this season. However, they've struck out at a 25.0% clip against southpaws. Thus, it makes sense to chase McClanahan's ceiling in tournaments tonight.
Ranger Suarez (PHI) at NYM
Suarez has an unsightly 9.82 ERA in three starts this year, totaling only 11.0 innings. The ugly ERA would seem to disqualify him from consideration for DFS lineups, right? Not exactly. The lefty's 3.16 xFIP, 51.4 GB%, 23.6 K% and 27.8 CSW% are all encouraging marks.
The betting info also isn't pegging Suarez for a meltdown. The Phillies are tiny underdogs (+110), and the game's total is 8.5 runs. Suarez hasn't done enough to warrant consideration on FD's single-pitcher platform. Yet, he's a defensible dart at SP2 for the lowest salary among tonight's starting pitchers at DK.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Braves failed to take advantage of a favorable matchup last night. Fortunately, they have another opportunity tonight. Atlanta is second in wRC+ (124) and first in ISO (.234) on the road this season. They've also destroyed lefties, ranking second in wRC+ (150) and ISO (.257) against them this season.
JP Sears has struggled to keep the ball in the yard, allowing 2.01 HR/9. He also has a 4.70 ERA, 4.69 xERA and 4.81 xFIP. So, homers aren't the lefty's only issue. And Oakland's bullpen is the worst in MLB, enhancing the appeal of stacking the Braves in all game types.
- Home (Oracle Park)
- Value: High
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: Unlisted
Johan Oviedo has been erratic this year. In 10 starts, he's held the opposition to three runs or less six times. However, he's also coughed up five, five, seven and seven runs in four turns. Oviedo's inconsistency matches San Francisco's. The Giants have an exploitable 25.5 K% against right-handed pitchers this year. Yet, they're also sixth in wRC+ (107) against them. So, the Giants are a risky stack. But if Oviedo's not sharp, San Francisco can crush him.
- Road (Wrigley Field)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: 7.5 Runs/TB -190
The Rays were shut out yesterday. Still, they've been a force on the road, against righties and lately. They're first in wRC+ (136) and second in ISO (.226) on the road this season. They're also first in wRC+ (132) and ISO (.216) against righties in 2023.
Kyle Hendricks and Chicago's bullpen can help the Rays bounce back from yesterday's dud. Hendricks allowed five runs (three earned) in 4.1 innings in his season debut last week and had a 4.80 ERA, 5.07 xERA and 4.46 xFIP in 16 starts spanning 84.1 innings in 2022. Finally, Chicago's relievers have the fourth-highest ERA (4.65) this season.
- Ozzie Albies pulverizes lefties. In 326 plate appearances against them since 2021, he's had a .350 OBP, .268 ISO and 149 wRC+.
- Michael Conforto has played at an exceptional level lately. In his last 72 plate appearances, he's had seven homers, a .417 OBP, .365 ISO and 202 wRC+.
- Austin Riley is another lefty-killer on the Braves. In 382 plate appearances against southpaws since 2021, he's had a .374 OBP, .262 ISO and 153 wRC+.
- LaMonte Wade is giving righties the business this year. In 160 plate appearances against them, he's had a .431 OBP, .175 ISO and 151 wRC+. Wade's elite OBP is perfect for his role as the team's leadoff hitter.
- Travis d'Arnaud is a good pick on DK and a screaming value on FD. In 163 plate appearances against lefties since 2021, he's had a .393 OBP, .195 ISO and 154 wRC+.
- Trea Turner hasn't gotten off on the right foot in his first year with the Phillies. Still, he's shown flashes this year and excelled in same-handed matchups in his career. And as the leadoff hitter for the Phillies, Turner is an attractive pick at his value salary on FD based on his lineup spot alone.
- Luke Raley is a fun piece of cheap exposure to the Rays. He's had a .350 OBP, .295 ISO and 150 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers this season. Additionally, he's had a positive run value against changeups since reaching The Show in 2021, and the changeup is Hendricks's best offering.
Monday's Hitter Strategy
Gamers don't need to build a complete stack from any offense in cash games. Instead, grabbing some hitters from the Braves, Giants and Rays is the best move. The Giants are a touch too risky to stack in cash games entirely, but their upside warrants full-stacking consideration in GPPs. And the Rays also have a high-upside stack worth a look in tournaments, albeit they're also priced as an elite offense.
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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.
