Tonight’s doubleheader between the Red Sox and Blue Jays results in an 11-game slate on DraftKings and a 10-game slate on FanDuel. The starting pitching options are stellar tonight. However, the top stacks take the stage, as all three have huge scoring upside.
Check out today’s MLB Grand Slam contest at FanDuel 
Saturday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Luis Garcia's my favorite pitcher at both sites. Further, he's a downright steal on FanDuel. Yu Darvish is a high-upside pivot in an outstanding matchup. Shane McClanahan's salary is a pinch higher than I prefer to spend at FanDuel in any game type. Conversely, his salary looks good on DraftKings, where he's my favorite SP2 in all game types. Although, Josiah Gray's an enticing SP2 option in GPPs on DraftKings. I don't feel the need to spin all the way down to him at FanDuel. Nonetheless, doing so provides crazy salary relief, allowing gamers to roster a loaded hitting lineup.
Tonight’s doubleheader between the Red Sox and Blue Jays results in an 11-game slate on DraftKings and a 10-game slate on FanDuel. The starting pitching options are stellar tonight. However, the top stacks take the stage, as all three have huge scoring upside.
Check out today’s MLB Grand Slam contest at FanDuel
Saturday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Luis Garcia's my favorite pitcher at both sites. Further, he's a downright steal on FanDuel. Yu Darvish is a high-upside pivot in an outstanding matchup. Shane McClanahan's salary is a pinch higher than I prefer to spend at FanDuel in any game type. Conversely, his salary looks good on DraftKings, where he's my favorite SP2 in all game types. Although, Josiah Gray's an enticing SP2 option in GPPs on DraftKings. I don't feel the need to spin all the way down to him at FanDuel. Nonetheless, doing so provides crazy salary relief, allowing gamers to roster a loaded hitting lineup.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Luis Garcia (HOU) vs. MIN
There's a large discrepancy between Garcia's ERA and SIERA since MLB's in-game pitcher inspections for foreign substances were instituted on June 21. In six starts lasting 30.1 innings, he has a 5.04 ERA. However, his 3,30 SIERA, per FanGraphs, is the best mark among tonight's probable pitchers.
A regression that benefits Garcia is likely in order. In addition to his excellent SIERA, his 32.0 % and 33.1 CSW% are the top marks among tonight's starters since June 21. The skills are there, so I'm all over using him tonight.
Shane McClanahan (TB) at BAL
McClanahan's in good form, spinning a 3.34 ERA, 4.00 SIERA, 1.27 WHIP, 26.6 K%, and 30.3 CSW% in his last six starts spanning 32.1 innings. The Orioles represent a challenging matchup, ranking fourth in wRC+ (111) against southpaws this year.
Regardless, McClanahan was unphased facing them on July 20, holding them to one run on four hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts in five innings. Betting Pros lists the Rays as commanding -200 favorites, enhancing my interest in using the rookie lefty tonight.
GPP Recommendations:
Yu Darvish (SD) vs. ARI
Darvish's write-up can nearly mirror that of Garcia's. He has an ugly 5.50 ERA in his last seven starts totaling 37.2 innings. However, something has to give, as his 3.40 SIERA during that stretch is superb. Ditto for his 28.5 K%, 5.1 BB%, and 30.0 CSW%.
The Diamondbacks might be just what the doctor ordered. Arizona ranks 29th in wRC+ (80) against righties this year. Finally, the Friars are the biggest favorites on tonight's slate at -300, and the game's total of 8.0 runs is pitcher-friendly, too.
Josiah Gray (WAS) at ATL
Gray's pitched only 13 innings in The Show. However, he's teased why he was a well-regarded prospect who dominated at every stop in the minors. The rookie righty's struck out 26.8% of the big-league hitters he's faced, recording a 30.9 CSW%. In 198 minor-league innings, Gray recorded a 2.41 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 6.4 BB%, and 29.2 K%. Gray's strikeout ability puts him in the GPP mix.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Astros are MLB's best offense against righties, ranking first with a 118 wRC+. Michael Pineda's a middle-of-the-road starter. The veteran righty has a 3.89 ERA in 76.1 innings. Yet, his 4.22 SIERA is less impressive. I'll gladly stack the Astros against him on both sites. Still, they're especially appealing on DraftKings, where they're collectively underpriced.
The Reds scored double-digit runs last night. They should keep rolling against Mitch Keller tonight. The young right-handed hurler is a punching bag for big-league hitters, getting knocked around for a 7.05 ERA and 4.98 SIERA in 52.1 innings this season. Lefties have crushed him for a .387 wOBA, and righties have ripped him for a .373 wOBA. Cinci's offense is poised to mash again tonight.
The Rockies are at home, and Coors Field is the premier hitting venue in MLB. Colorado's taken advantage of the thin air and dreamy hitting conditions at home this season, ranking second in wOBA (.347) and eighth in ISO (.191). Jesus Luzardo's done nothing this season to suggest he's capable of avoiding the pitfalls Coors Field prevents. On the contrary, he's allowed 2.51 HR/9 while recording a 6.70 ERA and 4.41 SIERA in 43 innings in the Bigs in 2021. Like the Reds, the Rockies hung double-digit runs last night. More fireworks should be in the cards tonight.
- C.J. Cron has a lengthy track record of crushing lefties. Further, he's taken like a fish to the water playing at Coors Field in his first year with the Rockies. Cron has a .380 OBP, .295 ISO, .404 wOBA, and 126 wRC+ at home this year -- which doesn't include last night's multi-homer effort.
- Yordan Alvarez has a .264 ISO and 140 wRC+ against righties this year.
- Carlos Correa's amassed a .238 ISO and 136 wRC+ against righties in 2021.
- Mike Moustakas ripped the cover off of the ball in his return from the injured list last night. For the year, he has a .225 ISO and 118 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers.
- Michael Brantley's responsible for a .421 OBP and 173 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers in 2021.
- I won't use an outfield spot for Hoy Park on DraftKings. However, I'll gladly use him as a punt at the keystone position on FanDuel. The rookie has hit leadoff against righties for the Pirates of late, and he's enjoyed a well-rounded season raking in the minors in 2021. In 223 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this year, he has 10 homers, eight stolen bases, a .475 OBP, .240 ISO, and 178 wRC+.
Saturday's Hitter Strategy
Tonight's hitter strategy involves mixing and matching from the Astros, Reds, and Rockies. The core studs will be on my rosters at both sites. Moustakas is a lineup lock on FanDuel, where he's underpriced. I'll use him on DraftKings, too. However, given his sizable salary, he's not a lock to appear on all of my rosters. Additionally, Jesse Winker and Joey Votto aren't featured in the core studs section. Still, I'll likely utilize the utility spot offered on FanDuel to roster four outfielders or two first basemen, mixing Cinci's stud left-handed hitters with Houston's outfielders and Cron.
Create MLB DFS lineups with our Lineup Optimizer Tool
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
Whether you're new to fantasy baseball or a seasoned pro, our Fantasy Baseball 101: Strategy Tips & Advice page is for you. You can get started with our Sabermetrics Glossary or head to a more advanced strategy - like Maximizing Your Potential in Multi-Lineup Contests - to learn more.
Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
