Tonight’s MLB DFS main slate is massive. It has 12 and starts at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. Today’s primer reduces the suggested options to four starting pitchers, three stacks, three studs and three values/punts.
Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The top-ranked pitcher has been white-hot lately and has a dreamy ceiling for GPPs despite his opponent's low strikeout rate this year. The second-ranked pitcher is the top option in cash games at DK in a Charmin-soft matchup and offers gamers some valuable salary relief from the first pitcher on the table. The third-ranked pitcher has turned it on since a trade brought him to his current organization. And the final pitcher has sterling numbers at home, making him a sweet GPP pick tonight.
Cash Game Recommendations:
George Kirby (SEA) vs. OAK
Kirby has pitched well lately. According to FanGraphs, in his previous five starts spanning 32.2 innings, Kirby has had a 2.48 ERA, 3.28 xFIP, 0.86 WHIP, 1.6 BB%, 24.4 K%, 25.6 CSW%, 102 Stuff+, 108 Location+ and 107 Pitching+.
The matchup and betting info are outstanding for Kirby tonight. The Athletics are tied for 24th in wRC+ (88) and have a 25.2 K% versus righties in 2023. Oakland is 20th in wRC+ (95) and has a 24.6 K% in the previous 30 days. And they're 22nd in wRC+ (90) and have a 23.8 K% on the road this season. Moreover, per Betting Pros, the Mariners are -305, and the game's total is 8.0 runs.
Cole Ragans (KC) vs. PIT
The Royals have unlocked something in Ragans. In his last five starts spanning 29.2 innings, the lefty has had a 2.12 ERA, 2.28 xFIP, 1.18 WHIP, 6.6 BB%, 36.4 K%, 32.9 CSW%, 103 Stuff+, 102 Location+ and 104 Pitching+.
Ragans shouldn't slow his roll tonight in a favorable matchup. The Pirates are 26th in wRC+(89) and have a 23.4 K% versus lefties in 2023. They're 22nd in wRC+ (93) and have a 24.6 K% in the previous 30 days. Pittsburgh is also tied for 24th in wRC+ (88) and has a 25.4 K% on the road this season. Thus, Ragans is a screaming value tonight.
GPP Recommendations:
Pablo Lopez (MIN) vs. CLE
Spending significant cap space on hitters tonight is tempting, which could reduce the percentage of rosters Lopez is on, making him an enticing GPP pick. In his previous five starts spanning 30.0 innings, he's had a 1.80 ERA, 3.03 xFIP, 1.10 WHIP, 3.3 BB%, 25.6 K%, 28.6 CSW%, 97 Stuff+, 106 Location+ and 110 Pitching+.
The matchup isn't too shabby for Lopez tonight. First, the Guardians are tied for 18th in wRC+ (97) versus righties in 2023. Second, Cleveland is 28th in wRC+ (79) and has a 21.3 K% in the previous 30 days. Third, they're 21st in wRC+ (91) on the road this season. Furthermore, the Twins are -180, and the game's total is just 8.0 runs. Lopez's ceiling is worth chasing in GPPs.
Alex Cobb (SF) vs. CIN
Since signing as a free agent before last year, Cobb has thrived from the bump at home for the Giants. In 147.1 innings at home since 2022, Cobb has had a 2.50 ERA, 3.02 xFIP, 1.17 WHIP, 6.5 BB% and 23.8 K%. The righty hasn't been in great form lately, which enhances the risk of using him. But the risk is to be embraced in GPPs, and Cobb's home splits and matchup fuel a high ceiling tonight.
The Reds are 20th in wRC+ (95) and have a 24.6 K% versus righties in 2023. Cincinnati is 24th in wRC+ (88) and has a 27.6 K% in the previous 30 days. Finally, the Giants are -165, and the game's total is just 8.0 runs.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Braves exploded for 14 runs last night and will probably continue to produce fireworks at Coors Field tonight. They're first in wRC+ (121) and ISO (.221) versus righties in 2023. Atlanta is second in wRC+ (137) and ISO (.233) in the previous 30 days. In addition, the Braves are first in wRC+ (120) and ISO (.214) on the road this season. They should have no trouble steamrolling Peter Lambert tonight. Lambert's had a 6.61 ERA and allowed 2.30 HR/9 and a .404 wOBA in 31.1 innings at home this year.
- Road (Fenway Park)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: 10.0 Runs/HOU +105
The Astros crushed the Red Sox for 13 runs last night and should take advantage of Fenway Park's hitter-friendly conditions again tonight. Houston is fourth in wRC+ (132) in the previous 30 days. The Astros are also fourth in wRC+ (109) on the road this season. Brayan Bello isn't a pushover matchup, but Houston's offense is talented enough to get the better of him tonight.
- Home (T-Mobile Park)
- Value: Medium
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.0 Runs/-305
The Mariners are white-hot. They're first in wRC+ (142) and third in ISO (.206) in the previous 30 days. Seattle is also 11th in wRC+ (108) versus lefties in 2023. And they're 11th in wRC+ (108) at home this season.
They can maintain momentum against Ken Waldichuk and Oakland's lousy bullpen tonight. Waldichuk has had a 4.97 ERA, 4.21 xFIP and allowed 1.78 HR/9 in his previous five starts. Oakland's relievers also have the highest ERA in 2023.
- Matt Olson has 34 homers, a .400 OBP, .341 ISO and 166 wRC+ in 437 plate appearances against righties this season.
- In 194 plate appearances against righties on the road this year, Kyle Tucker has 12 homers, a .403 OBP, .284 ISO and 169 wRC+.
- In the previous 30 days, Marcell Ozuna has had 10 homers, a .439 OBP, .386 ISO and 215 wRC+ in 114 plate appearances.
- In 96 plate appearances at home versus righties in his career, Matt Wallner has seven homers, a .427 OBP, .350 ISO and 197 wRC+.
- Edouard Julien has seven homers, a .453 OBP, .330 ISO and 203 wRC+ in 117 plate appearances against righties at home this year.
- Ezequiel Duran has eight homers, a .339 OBP, .258 ISO and 138 wRC+ in 165 plate appearances against lefties since reaching the majors last year.
Tuesday's Hitter Strategy
The Braves and Astros should be popular stacks and are compelling to stack in GPPs. However, getting pieces from both offenses and mixing in Wallner, Julien and Duran is the most appealing move in cash games. Finally, Seattle's offense is a fun, high-upside pivot from the Braves and Astros in GPPs.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
