Tonight’s MLB DFS main slate is massive. It has 14 games and starts at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. This piece highlights four starting pitchers, three stacks, three studs and three values/punts.
Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The pitching is robust tonight. Yet, the four starting pitchers on the table are the most attractive when considering salaries, recent performance and matchups. Furthermore, the suggested four pitchers are appealing in all game types. So, even though they're split up as cash game and GPP recommendations below, gamers entering multiple lineups in tournaments should mix and match all four.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Eury Perez (MIA) at WSH
Perez is a wunderkind and in good form. According to FanGraphs, in the 20-year-old's previous four starts spanning 20.2 innings, he's had a 3.48 ERA, 3.49 xFIP, 3.10 SIERA, 0.92 WHIP, 6.2 BB%, 35.8 K%, 31.4 CSW% (20.1 SwStr%), 103 Stuff+, 105 Location+ and 109 Pitching+.
The matchup and betting info are good tonight, as well. The Nationals are tied for 23rd in wRC+ (88) versus righties in 2023. Washington is tied for 21st in wRC+ (91) in the previous 30 days. They're also 19th in wRC+ (99) at home this season. Finally, per Betting Pros, the Marlins are -160, and the game's total is 8.5 runs.
Logan Gilbert (SEA) at NYM
Gilbert has an average matchup tonight. Fortunately, he's pitched well lately. In his last five starts totaling 30.1 innings, Gilbert has had a 2.97 ERA, 3.64 xFIP, 3.65 SIERA, 0.99 WHIP, 6.0 BB%, 27.4 K%, 27.8 CSW%, 116 Stuff+, 103 Location+ and 105 Pitching+.
Gilbert has also pitched well on the road. In 240.2 innings on the road in his career, he's had a 3.63 ERA, 4.03 xFIP, 1.16 WHIP, 6.6 BB% and 23.6 K%. The betting info is encouraging, too. The Mariners are -120, and the game's total is a pitcher-friendly 7.5 runs.
GPP Recommendations:
Tyler Glasnow (TB) at CLE
It's appealing to save salary on hurlers tonight. So, Glasnow might be underutilized, making him an exciting high-upside selection in GPPs. In Glasnow's previous three starts spanning 18.0 innings, he's had a 3.00 ERA, 3.75 xFIP, 3.86 SIERA, 0.94 WHIP, 6.9 BB%, 25.0 K%, 33.0 CSW%, 113 Stuff+, 98 Location+ and 107 Pitching+.
The Guardians shouldn't provide him much resistance tonight. They're tied for 18th in wRC+ (96) versus righties in 2023. Cleveland is 28th in wRC+ (78) and has a 21.3 K% in the last 30 days. The Guardians are also 23rd in wRC+ (92) at home this year. In addition, the Rays are -178, and the game's total is 7.5 runs.
Patrick Sandoval (LAA) at OAK
Sandoval's shaky control is always a concern and makes him a risky pick. Nevertheless, the lefty has done well on the road. In 181.0 innings on the road since 2021, Sandoval has had a 3.03 ERA, 4.11 xFIP, 1.32 WHIP, 11.0 BB% and 22.5 K%.
A soft matchup can bring the best out of Sandoval tonight. The Athletics are 25th in wRC+ (90) and have a 23.5 K% versus lefties in 2023. Oakland is 20th in wRC+ (92) and has a 24.1 K% in the previous 30 days. They're also 29th in wRC+ (87) and have a 25.7 K% at home this year. Moreover, the Angels are -155, and the game's total is a non-threatening 8.0 runs.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Blue Jays have an above-average offense and will get a lift from a cushy matchup and MLB's most hitter-friendly park factors at Coors Field. The Blue Jays are tied for 11th in wRC+ (104) versus righties and seventh in wRC+ (107) on the road this year. Toronto is also 13th in wRC+ (101) in the previous 30 days.
As for the matchup, Chris Flexen is a punching bag and struggles with all hitters. The veteran righty has coughed up a .358 wOBA to lefties and a .427 wOBA to righties in 2023. Colorado's relievers also have the fourth-highest ERA this season.
- Home (Guaranteed Rate Field)
- Value: High
- Risk: High
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/CWS +110
The White Sox are having a forgettable season. Yet, a handful of their hitters have stellar track records against southpaws, with six posting an above-average wRC+ since 2021 and three exceeding a 120 wRC+. Eduardo Rodriguez hasn't been a world-beater lately, either. So, Chicago is a useful stack with many cap-friendly salaries.
- Road (Dodger Stadium)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/ATL -125
Julio Urias has been in a groove. But his season hasn't gone smoothly. In 20 starts this year, Urias has a 4.41 ERA, 3.96 xERA and 4.06 xFIP. His full-season marks shouldn't dissuade gamers from stacking Atlanta's high-octane offense.
The Braves are first in wRC+ (139) and ISO (.240) versus lefties in 2023. Atlanta is third in wRC+ (138) and second in ISO (.223) in the previous 30 days. Additionally, they're first in wRC+ (123) and ISO (.215) on the road this year.
- Davis Schneider has one homer, a .567 OBP, .261 ISO and 249 wRC+ in 30 plate appearances against righties in his rookie campaign. He also swatted 21 homers, stole nine bases and had a .416 OBP, .278 ISO and 140 wRC+ in 392 plate appearances in Triple-A this season.
- In 339 plate appearances against righties this year, Brandon Belt has 15 homers, a .378 OBP, .235 ISO and 140 wRC+.
- In 266 plate appearances against lefties since 2021, Luis Robert has had 16 homers, a .404 OBP, .276 ISO and 183 wRC+.
- Evan Longoria has belted 17 bombs and posted a .361 OBP, .243 ISO and 139 wRC+ in 305 plate appearances against lefties since 2021.
- In 312 plate appearances versus lefties since 2021, Tim Anderson has had a .359 OBP and 128 wRC+.
- Gabriel Moreno has had a .368 OBP and 134 wRC+ in 117 plate appearances against lefties since reaching The Show last year.
Friday's Hitter Strategy
Building full stacks in cash games is unappealing tonight. Instead, mixing a few pieces from the Blue Jays and White Sox with one-offs from other clubs is a more desirable move. Yet, entirely stacking the Blue Jays, White Sox and Braves is exciting 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.
