It’s a six-game slate tonight. I’ve whittled my favorite options down to three pitchers, two stacks, and the customary number of core studs and value plays/punts.
Check out today’s MLB Grand Slam contest at FanDuel 
Thursday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
It's all about aces Trevor Rogers and Max Scherzer tonight. I slightly prefer Rogers because of the salary relief he provides spinning down from Scherzer. On DraftKings, though, I'm all over using the duo together. Frankie Montas is the only other pitcher I'm considering mixing in.
It’s a six-game slate tonight. I’ve whittled my favorite options down to three pitchers, two stacks, and the customary number of core studs and value plays/punts.
Check out today’s MLB Grand Slam contest at FanDuel
Thursday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
It's all about aces Trevor Rogers and Max Scherzer tonight. I slightly prefer Rogers because of the salary relief he provides spinning down from Scherzer. On DraftKings, though, I'm all over using the duo together. Frankie Montas is the only other pitcher I'm considering mixing in.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Trevor Rogers (MIA) vs. COL
Rogers tallied a grotesque 6.11 ERA in 2020. Last year's a distant memory now. He's been nothing short of brilliant in 2021. According to FanGraphs, he has a 1.97 ERA, 3.55 SIERA, 1.09 WHIP, 8.8 BB%, 29.7 K%, and 30.6 CSW% in 12 starts spanning 68.2 innings.
He has a mouthwatering matchup tonight. The Rockies rank in the middle of the pack in wRC+ (99) against lefties. However, they've been the second-worst offense over the last 30 days (75 wRC+) and rank in the basement with a 56 wRC+ and 27.0 K% on the road.
Max Scherzer (WAS) vs. SF
The Giants are banged up. Still, their offense has continued to hum along. Regardless, Scherzer's a stud. He should carve up an injury-depleted lineup.
In a dozen starts totaling 77.0 innings this year, he has a 2.22 ERA, 2.64 SIERA, 0.82 WHIP, 5.2 BB%, 36.1 K%, and 32.1 CSW%. Betting Pros lists the game's total at a pitcher-friendly 7.0 runs, and the Nationals are -145 favorites.
GPP Recommendations:
Frankie Montas (OAK) vs. KC
Sticking with betting info, the A's are bigger favorites than the Nationals. Oakland's listed as a -162 favorite. The game's total is a full run higher at 8.0. Still, that's a solid foundation for trusting Montas in GPPs.
He had an up-and-down beginning of the year. However, he's settled into good form for more than a month. In his last eight starts stretching across 45.0 innings, he's twirled a 3.60 ERA, 4.10 SIERA, 1.36 WHIP, 6.6 BB%, 22.7 K%, and 11.9 SwStr%. I wouldn't' suggest going overboard rostering Montas. However, if you need a bit of salary relief for an extra hitter or two, and you're jamming multiple entries into GPPs, he's worth a look.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Astros aren't screaming values. Still, they're underpriced relative to their excellence. They're MLB's top offense against lefties (128 wRC+) and over the last 30 days (127 wRC+). Fenway Park has the third-highest park factor for runs and is tops for doubles. Toss in that Eduardo Rodriguez is taking a 5.59 ERA to the bump tonight, and I'm all over the Astros tonight in all game types.
The Blue Jays are the second-best offense over the last 30 days, boasting a 126 wRC+. They're also an above-average offense against lefties this year, ranking tied for 12th in wRC+ (104). Their matchup isn't too shabby, either. Dallas Keuchel has a ho-hum 4.25 ERA and 4.54 SIERA. Additionally, he pitches to contact, recording a 12.0 BB%. His pitch-to-contact approach is risky against Toronto's power-packed order.
View the best player prop bets for today's slate with our MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- Since 2018, Jose Altuve owns a .360 OBP, .189 ISO, and 132 wRC+ against lefties. He's been a pinch better than that against them this year, and he's swinging a hot bat over the last 30 days.
- Yuli Gurriel has touched up lefties in a big way this year, amassing a .410 OBP, .276 ISO, and 183 wRC+.
- Bo Bichette's been a thorn in the side of lefties since debuting in 2019, recording a .376 OBP, .246 ISO, and 153 wRC+.
- Andrew Vaughn has taken full advantage of the platoon advantage in his rookie year. The right-handed hitter has a .411 OBP, .426 ISO, and 207 wRC+ in 56 plate appearances against southpaws.
- Randal Grichuk's calling card is his power. He has a .245 ISO against lefties since 2018 and a .327 ISO against them this season.
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr.'s season got off to a miserable start. He's turned it around, though. Over the last 30 days, he has a .356 OBP, .179 ISO, and 136 wRC+. Gurriel also has a track record of success against lefties, ripping them for a .250 ISO and 126 wRC+ since 2018.
Thursday's Hitter Strategy
I'm going to be overweight to the field on Vaughn. I'll also pluck a mix of top-flight studs and value options from the Astros and Blue Jays to get exposure to their massive upside while still rostering one or both of the aces, Rogers and Scherzer.
MLB Prop Bets
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
