MLB DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Tuesday (8/8)

Tonight’s MLB DFS main slate has 11 games and starts at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. The top picks on tonight’s large slate are reduced to four starting pitchers, two stacks, two studs and four values/punts.

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Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
A veteran ace who thrived in his first start for a new employer that acquired him in a trade at the trade deadline can shine in his second start for his new club in a soft matchup, and he's the top starting pitcher tonight. The second-ranked hurler has pitched well lately and has a cushy matchup, making him an appealing GPP choice. The third pitcher has a boring profile but is an ideal matchup-driven bargain as an SP2 at DK. And the final pitcher on the table has pitched well since he was recalled from the minors. However, a tough matchup relegates him to a GPP-only choice.

Cash Game Recommendations:

Max Scherzer (TEX) at OAK
Scherzer isn't having a vintage season. And he hasn't been great lately. Still, Scherzer is a high-strikeout hurler and has a cupcake on the docket tonight. According to FanGraphs, in Scherzer's previous five starts spanning 31.0 innings, he had a 28.1 K% and 29.5 CSW%. Those marks will play against Oakland's lousy offense.

The Athletics are tied for 23rd in wRC+ (88) and have a 25.3 K% versus righties in 2023. Oakland is also tied for 24th in wRC+ (90) and has a 25.1 K% at home this year. The betting info cements Scherzer's case for the top-pitcher honor tonight. Per Betting Pros, the Rangers are -245, and the game's total is 8.0 runs.

Wade Miley (MIL) vs. COL
Miley is obliterating his ERA estimators for the third consecutive season and the fifth in the last six campaigns. So, perhaps, Miley's 3.01 ERA in 14 starts spanning 71.2 innings this year isn't as lucky as his ERA estimators would suggest.

In addition, the Rockies are unlikely to pose him a threat. Colorado is 30th in wRC+ (68) and has a 27.1 K% versus lefties in 2023. The Rockies are 28th in wRC+ (77) and have a 27.9 K% in the previous 30 days. And they're 27th in wRC+ (83) and have a 26.5 K% on the road this year. Finally, the Brewers are -225.

GPP Recommendations:

Yusei Kikuchi (TOR) at CLE
Kikuchi is steamrolling his opponents heading into tonight. In his last four starts totaling 22.0 innings, he had a 1.23 ERA, 3.73 xFIP, 1.23 WHIP, 7.6 BB%, 25.0 K% and 29.6 CSW%. The lefty has a mouthwatering matchup tonight to stay hot.

The Guardians are 29th in wRC+ (82) against lefties in 2023. And the betting info is quite nice, too. The Blue Jays are -115, and the game's total is only 8.0 runs. Thus, Kikuchi is an enticing salary-saving pivot from Scherzer in GPPs.

Grayson Rodriguez (BAL) vs. HOU
Rodriguez stumbled out of the blocks but has benefited from further seasoning in Triple-A, putting together a string of stellar starts since the O's recalled him. In his last four starts, the rookie righty has had a 3.57 ERA, 3.50 xFIP, 1.01 WHIP, 9.3 BB%, 23.3 K% and 29.2 CSW%. Those were rock-solid marks.

However, Rodriguez's pitch modeling was jaw-dropping in those turns. He had a 126 Stuff+, 101 Location+ and 109 Pitching+. The Astros are a challenging matchup. But Rodriguez's superb pitching has earned him a look in GPPs, and the betting info isn't terrifying. Instead, the Orioles are slight underdogs (+105), and the game's total is 8.0 runs.

Top Lineup Stacks

• Road (Oakland Coliseum)
• Value: Low
• Risk: Low
• Game Type: Both
• Game Total/Moneyline: 8.0 Runs/TEX -245

The Rangers scored five runs last night, and the outcome was somewhat disappointing, which speaks volumes about the quality of their offense. The Rangers are second in wRC+ (129) versus lefties in 2023. They're fourth in wRC+ (125) and third in ISO (.212) in the previous 30 days. And Texas is sixth in wRC+ (106) on the road this season.

They can build on last night's showing in a plus matchup tonight. In JP Sears's previous five starts, he's had 4.00 ERA and 5.92 xFIP. The lefty also coughed up a blistering 2.00 HR/9. And Oakland's relievers have the highest ERA (5.53), enhancing the appeal of stacking the Rangers.

• Road (PNC Park)
• Value: Low
• Risk: Low
• Game Type: GPP
• Game Total/Moneyline: 9.5 Runs/ATL -157

Atlanta's offense is an unstoppable force. The Braves are first in wRC+ (120) and ISO (.225) against righties in 2023. Atlanta is third in wRC+ (127) and first in ISO (.247) in the previous 30 days. And they're first in wRC+ (117) this season.

Conversely, Mitch Keller is in a funk. Keller was rocked for a 7.53 ERA, 5.20 xFIP and 2.20 HR/9 in his previous five starts. The Braves aren't a get-right matchup for Keller and should thoroughly thump him.

• In 375 plate appearances against righties this year, Matt Olson has 33 homers, a .392 OBP, .373 ISO and 170 wRC+.
• Corey Seager has had a .329 OBP, .245 ISO and 134 wRC+ in 444 plate appearances against lefties since 2021. And Sears has yielded a .383 OBP, .530 slugging and .390 wOBA to left-handed batters this year.

• In 211 plate appearances against lefties since 2021, Mitch Garver has had a .355 OBP, .250 ISO and 140 wRC+.
• Robbie Grossman has had a .397 OBP and 142 wRC+ against lefties in 452 plate appearances since 2021.
• Luis Rengifo's heated up in the summer months and is underpriced at FD. In 109 plate appearances since July 1, Rengifo's had seven homers, a .376 OBP, .302 ISO and 163 wRC+.
• Jack Suwinski has 20 homers, a .347 OBP, .304 ISO and 132 wRC+ in 277 plate appearances against righties this season.

Tuesday's Hitter Strategy
The Rangers have a desirable blend of high-salaried studs and values, making them an appealing source of offense and stacking in all game types. The high salaries attached to Atlanta's hitters make them a better fit in GPPs. Still, using Olson in all game types is advisable. But to use him with Seager accounts for a substantial amount of cap space. Thus, gamers must use values/punts to fit everyone under the salary cap.

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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.