Tuesday’s main slate is of the robust 13-game variety. It provides us some intriguing stacking options and pitching talent at a variety of salaries.
Check out today’s MLB Grand Slam contest at FanDuel 
Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
I'm largely planning to use Chris Bassitt and Tyler Glasnow on FanDuel's single-pitcher format. At DraftKings, I'm mixing and matching the two righties as my SP1 and backing them with Max Fried mostly, but also sprinkling in some Robbie Ray. I also won't rule out using Bassitt and Glasnow together.
Tuesday’s main slate is of the robust 13-game variety. It provides us some intriguing stacking options and pitching talent at a variety of salaries.
Check out today’s MLB Grand Slam contest at FanDuel
Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
I'm largely planning to use Chris Bassitt and Tyler Glasnow on FanDuel's single-pitcher format. At DraftKings, I'm mixing and matching the two righties as my SP1 and backing them with Max Fried mostly, but also sprinkling in some Robbie Ray. I also won't rule out using Bassitt and Glasnow together.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Chris Bassitt (OAK) at SEA
Bassitt has been a reliable, well-above-average starter since 2018. However, he's turned things up a notch in his age-32 season. The veteran righty is coming off of a shutout against the Angels.
In 11 starts stretching across 70.0 innings, he's recorded a 3.21 ERA, 3.46 SIERA, 1.00 WHIP, 5.7 BB%, 26.1 K%, and 28.2 CSW%, per FanGraphs. He should keep cooking this go-round, with the A's listed as rock-solid -135 favorites, according to the Betting Pros consensus, in a game with a pitcher-friendly total of only 8.0 runs. The matchup's tantalizing, too. The Mariners rank tied for 24th in wRC+ (85) against righties with a 25.6 K%, and they rank 28th in wRC+ (79) over the last 30 days.
Max Fried (ATL) vs. WAS
Fried's 2021 campaign got off to an inauspicious beginning before hitting the injured list. He's pitched extremely well in his return, though. In four starts spanning 24.0 innings since his return, he's dazzled with a 1.50 ERA, 4.52 SIERA, 1.00 WHIP, 9.8 BB%, 21.7 K%, and 9.9 SwStr%. The gap between his ERA and SIERA isn't ideal, but his body of work is more impressive, including a 4.00 SIERA for his career and a 4.32 SIERA last year. Additionally, he's routinely outperformed his SIERA.
The matchup is middle of the road. The Nationals rank a somewhat intimidating eighth in wRC+ (111) against lefties this year. However, they also rank a less threatening 17th in wRC+ (97) over the last 30 days. The betting odds also support using Fried, as the Braves are -135 favorites in a game with a total of 8.0 runs. I'm signing up for him as my cash games (and some GPP exposure) SP2 at DraftKings. I'm less enamored with him on FanDuel's single-pitcher format.
GPP Recommendations:
Tyler Glasnow (TB) at NYY
I don't object to gamers using Glasnow as their cash games pitcher on FanDuel. However, I prefer Bassitt at his discount in a dreamy matchup. Glasnow's upside is immense, though, making him a great GPP option.
In 11 starts spanning 70.0 innings, Glasnow's recorded a 2.57 ERA, 2.82 SIERA, 0.93 WHIP, 8.5 BB%, 36.2 K%, and 33.7 CSW%. His overall numbers are elite, but it's his gaudy strikeout rate that fuels his upside and GPP appeal. In his lone start against the Yankees this year, Glansow held them to one run on two hits, four walks, and seven strikeouts while earning a win.
Robbie Ray (TOR) vs. MIA
An age-29 control breakout? Sure. Why not. Ray's battled control issues throughout his career, but he's walked only 6.1% of the batters he's faced this year. He hasn't had to sacrifice punchouts for his depressed walk rate, either.
The veteran lefty's fanned a whopping 28.0% of batters he's faced. Ray backs his super strikeout rate with other impressive marks, too, including a 3.81 ERA, 3.33 SIERA, and 1.13 WHIP. He also has an excellent matchup. The Marlins rank 22nd in wRC+ (94) against lefties with an exploitable 27.8 K%. They've also struggled of late, ranking 24th in wRC+ (86) and punching out at a 27.4% clip over the last 30 days. The Blue Jays are -155 favorites, boosting Ray's odds of winning and bumping his ceiling up.
Top Lineup Stacks
Look at the total and the moneyline above. The Twins are projected to hang a crooked number against Bruce Zimmermann. The rookie lefty has coughed up a 5.15 ERA, 4.43 SIERA, and 2.06 HR/9 this year. Forgive them for their dud yesterday. They'll get right tonight.
Is the algorithm broken at DraftKings and FanDuel? I'm not sure. However, I know the Rangers aren't priced up enough for their trip to Coors Field. It remains MLB's top-hitting venue, chiefly after the Blue Jays changed their temporary home. I'll gladly invest in their underpriced hitters in all game types tonight.
Stephen Strasburg isn't his vintage self. Take a look at his 4.43 ERA, 4.92 SIERA, and 1.77 HR/9 in four starts spanning 20.1 innings. Could he turn it on? Maybe. He hasn't proven himself to be back in peak-form yet, and that's worth a GPP dice roll stacking against him.
- Nelson Cruz hammers lefties. Since 2018, he has a .412 OBP, .354 ISO, and 182 wRC+ against them.
- Donaldson no slouch, hitting ahead of Cruz from the two-hole. He's amassed a .388 OBP, .222 ISO, and 128 wRC+ against southpaws since 2018.
- The reigning National League MVP, Freddie Freeman, rips righties. Since 2018, he has a .413 OBP, .253 ISO, and 153 wRC+ against them.
- Willie Calhoun's salary is a joke, hitting leadoff for the Rangers at Coors Field. He's a steal. The left-handed-hitting outfielder has a 115 wRC+ against righties this year.
- Joey Gallo's a tater-chasing option. The left-handed slugger's .136 ISO against righties this year leaves something to be desired, but his .246 ISO is superb.
- Miguel Sano's gaudy .250 ISO against lefties since 2018 will play in a plus matchup at his bargain salary at DraftKings and FanDuel.
Tuesday's Hitter Strategy
It's a simple strategy on a large slate. Despite the wide array of options, I'm all over the Twins and Rangers. I also like the Braves in GPPs. In Freeman's case, he's a strong play in all game types, though.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
