It’s a seven-game MLB DFS main slate tonight, starting at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. The suggested picks for the slate are narrowed to three starting pitchers, one stack, three studs and three values/punts.
Thursday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
A lefty who hasn't been formally announced as the starting pitcher for his club is the top hurler on the slate, salary considered. And a pair of locked-in AL East hurlers are the other intriguing pitchers on this slate.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Tarik Skubal (DET) at OAK
Skubal is rolling. According to FanGraphs, in his previous five starts spanning 31.0 innings, he's had a 2.61 ERA, 2.73 xFIP, 2.82 SIERA, 0.84 WHIP, 4.9 BB%, 33.6 K%, 34.4 CSW%, 99 Stuff+, 102 Location+ and 105 Pitching+. He should maintain his momentum in a good matchup tonight.
The Athletics are 25th in wRC+ (91) and have a 24.1 K% versus lefties in 2023. Oakland is tied for 18th in wRC+ (95) and has a 26.6 K% in the previous 30 days. Finally, the A's are 26th in wRC+ (88) and have a 25.8 K% at home this year.
Grayson Rodriguez (BAL) at CLE
Rodriguez struggled earlier in the season but has excelled after receiving further seasoning in Triple-A. In his last five starts spanning 30.1 innings, the rookie has had a 2.08 ERA, 3.70 xFIP, 3.71 SIERA, 1.15 WHIP, 5.7 BB%, 25.2 K%, 28.4 CSW%, 123 Stuff+, 106 Location+ and 112 Pitching+. He shouldn't meet much resistance tonight.
The Guardians are 19th in wRC+ (96) versus righties in 2023. Cleveland is 15th in wRC+ (101) in the previous 30 days. They're also 22nd in wRC+ (94) at home this year.
GPP Recommendation:
Jose Berrios (TOR) at NYY
Berrios is inconsistent and can encounter hiccups without a warning. Still, in his last three starts spanning 20.0 innings, he's had a 1.80 ERA, 3.00 xFIP, 3.16 SIERA, 0.85 WHIP, 4.0 BB%, 29.3 K%, 30.3 CSW%, 97 Stuff+, 102 Location+ and 100 Pitching+. He doesn't have a daunting matchup tonight, either.
The Yankees are tied for 22nd in wRC+ (88) and have a 23.8 K% versus righties in 2023. New York is tied for 24th in wRC+ (88) and has a 26.9 K% in the previous 30 days. The Bronx Bombers are also 21st in wRC+ (97) and have a 22.6 K% at home this year. Finally, while the Blue Jays are slight underdogs (+110), the game's total is only 7.5 runs.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Phillies have a powerhouse offense. They're tied for 11th in wRC+ (107) versus lefties in 2023. Philadelphia is tied for second in wRC+ (129) and first in ISO (.248) in the previous 30 days. The Phillies are also seventh in wRC+ (113) at home this year.
They can strut their stuff in an outstanding matchup tonight. First, David Peterson has a 7.35 ERA in 49.0 innings on the road this season. Second, he's coughed up 1.84 HR/9 on the road. Third, Peterson has allowed a .395 wOBA to righties on the road and a .417 wOBA to lefties on the road. Thus, the Phillies can tee off tonight.
- In 544 plate appearances against lefties since 2021, Trea Turner has hit 30 homers with 10 stolen bases, a .358 OBP, .256 ISO and 146 wRC+. Additionally, in his previous 115 plate appearances, he's belted 12 bombs with six stolen bases, a .400 OBP, .406 ISO and 206 wRC+.
- Bryce Harper has hit five homers with a .462 OBP, .328 ISO and 208 wRC+ in 78 plate appearances against lefties at home this season. He also has hit 10 homers with two stolen bases, a .424 OBP, .379 ISO and 184 wRC+ in his previous 118 plate appearances.
- In 469 plate appearances against lefties since 2021, Alec Bohm has mashed 17 taters with a .365 OBP, .204 ISO and 139 wRC+.
- Heston Kjerstad raked in the minors this year. In 543 plate appearances in the upper minors, he hit 21 homers with a .376 OBP, .225 ISO and 133 wRC+. The left-handed slugger already has hit two homers with a .308 OBP, .462 ISO and 190 wRC+ in 13 plate appearances against righties for the Orioles.
- In 57 plate appearances against lefties, rookie Johan Rojas has a .345 OBP and 111 wRC+.
- Jack Suwinski has hit 24 dongs with a .354 OBP, .287 ISO and 130 wRC+ in 376 plate appearances against righties this season.
Thursday's Hitter Strategy
The Phillies are the top stack and the best source of hitters on tonight's medium-sized slate. They have a mix of studs and values.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
