We have a fascinating slate here, so we’re going to take a different approach. What we’re going to do is recommend two cheap pitchers and build from there. That will allow you to get studs from the Coors Field game, which will be critical on a slate like this. With that in mind, let’s get into our value pitchers.
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Pitchers
Johnny Cueto (SF): $6,900 vs. PIT
This is a very risky play but there’s a lot to like about Cueto. While he is making his first start of the season, he did some serious damage in Triple-A. In fact, Cueto pitched to a 3.38 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, striking out 21 batters across 21.1 innings of action. That’s pretty much the guy we’ve seen throughout his career, with Cueto totaling a 2.95 ERA and 1.13 WHIP dating back to 2011. What limits his risk here is the fact that he faces a bad lineup in a pitcher’s park. Not only does Oracle Park rank as the toughest ballpark to hit in, the Pirates also sit 23rd in SLG, 22nd in OPS and 24th in xwOBA since the All-Star break.
We have a fascinating slate here, so we’re going to take a different approach. What we’re going to do is recommend two cheap pitchers and build from there. That will allow you to get studs from the Coors Field game, which will be critical on a slate like this. With that in mind, let’s get into our value pitchers.
Get a $5 bonus w/ your 1st deposit on FanDuel
Pitchers
Johnny Cueto (SF): $6,900 vs. PIT
This is a very risky play but there’s a lot to like about Cueto. While he is making his first start of the season, he did some serious damage in Triple-A. In fact, Cueto pitched to a 3.38 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, striking out 21 batters across 21.1 innings of action. That’s pretty much the guy we’ve seen throughout his career, with Cueto totaling a 2.95 ERA and 1.13 WHIP dating back to 2011. What limits his risk here is the fact that he faces a bad lineup in a pitcher’s park. Not only does Oracle Park rank as the toughest ballpark to hit in, the Pirates also sit 23rd in SLG, 22nd in OPS and 24th in xwOBA since the All-Star break.
Ivan Nova (CWS): $7,000 vs. KC
We’re going with another cheap option here, as Nova has quietly turned his season around since the break. Before struggling against the Braves and Indians in his last two starts, Nova actually pitched to a 0.94 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over his previous eight starts. That’s an incredible run no matter how bad he was before and it definitely puts him in play in a matchup like this. The Royals currently sit 26th in runs scored, 23rd in OBP, 27th in OPS, 23rd in xwOBA and 21st in wOBA, if you needed more incentive.
Catcher/First Base
Eric Thames (MIL): $2,700 at MIA
FanDuel has been keeping Thames price extremely low all season long and it really doesn’t make sense why. This dude has done nothing but mash right-handers since joining the Brewers, which is evident by his .359 OBP, .533 SLG and .893 OPS dating back to 2017. That’s huge for a guy who’s rolling right now, with Thames generating a .300 AVG, .371 OBP, .613 SLG and .983 OPS over his last 27 games. It’s not like we need to worry about Elieser Hernandez and his 5.23 ERA and 1.30 WHIP either.
Second Base
Robinson Cano (NYM): $2,900 vs. ARI
Cano really appears to be capturing that All-Star form he used to be known for and that makes him a very attractive option in this price range. Over his last eight games, Cano is hitting .538 en route to a 1.605 OPS. What really makes him an intriguing option today is that he faces a righty, with Cano amassing a .281 AVG, .496 SLG and .815 OPS with the platoon advantage in his favor this season. This is a former All-Star who has an ISO in the .200-range and a wOBA just shy of .400 for his career against right-handed pitching and it’s hard to overlook that with his absurd form.
Third Base
Josh Donaldson (ATL): $3,400 at PHI
Donaldson has been in more of my articles than almost any other player and recent results would indicate that we’re doing something right. Over his last 24 games, Donaldson has a .436 OBP, .700 SLG and 1.136 OPS. That absurd form pairs beautifully with this matchup, as he faces Jason Vargas and his 5.43 xFIP. More importantly, it puts the platoon advantage in Donaldson’s favor, as he’s got a .384 OBP, .569 SLG and .953 OPS against lefties for his career.
Shortstop
Corey Seager (LAD): $3,400 at BAL
Don’t look now but Seager is coming back with vengeance. After struggling the first three months, Seager has collected 14 doubles and five homers en route to a .504 SLG over his last 27 games. Those brilliant numbers are really scary for a pitching staff who ranks dead-last in ERA, WHIP and home runs allowed. That’s why the Dodgers are projected for six runs and Seager should do a major part of that damage in the heart of this lineup. While he does have to face a lefty, it happens to be a southpaw with a 10.95 ERA and 2.15 WHIP (Ty Blach).
Outfielders
Charlie Blackmon (COL): $4,500 vs. STL
If you don’t already know, Blackmon very well might be the best hitter in the league when he hits at home. In fact, Blackmon has a .397 AVG, .450 OBP, .776 SLG and 1.234 OPS at Coors Field this season. Many of those numbers actually lead the league and that’s got to be horrifying for a guy like Michael Wacha. The Cardinals righty is currently pitching to a 4.98 ERA and 1.55 WHIP this season, with the Rockies projected for about seven runs here.
Franmil Reyes (CLE): $3,200 at LAA
It’s hard not to like Reyes the way he’s swinging the bat right now. Let’s begin with his power, as Reyes is one of the league leaders with a.517 SLG and .269 ISO. The thing that really makes him a great option is his recent form, with Reyes collecting five doubles, five homers and 17 RBI over his last 16 games on his way to a .424 OBP and 1.108 OPS. That’s got to make Jose Suarez nervous, with the southpaw pitching to a 6.45 ERA and 1.62 WHIP so far this season.
Mark Canha (OAK): $3,200 at HOU
Canha is quietly one of the hottest hitters in baseball and we have to adore him against a guy like Wade Miley. The reason for that is because the Houston lefty has been extremely lucky this season, as his 4.46 FIP is more than a run higher than his ERA. More importantly, it puts the platoon advantage in Canha’s favor. Dating back to last season, Canha has a .515 SLG and .860 OPS against left-handed pitching. The best part about all this is Canha’s recent play, posting a .438 OBP and .967 OPS over his last 32 fixtures.
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Joel Bartilotta is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @BartilottaJoel.
