Doubleheaders created differences in slate size between DraftKings and FanDuel. Regardless, it’s a big slate, and I’m here to whittle the player pool and options down to a manageable number.
Check out today’s MLB Grand Slam contest at FanDuel 
Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Max Scherzer is my unquestioned top pitcher tonight. Gamers are likely to agree and make him the chalk selection. However, Alex Wood and Sean Manaea provide gamers superb pivots in GPPs. Casey Mize is a bargain SP2 option on DraftKings in all game types. However, he's listed under the cash game recommendations to free up salary to roster my favorite bats in addition to Mad Max in cash games, though.
Doubleheaders created differences in slate size between DraftKings and FanDuel. Regardless, it’s a big slate, and I’m here to whittle the player pool and options down to a manageable number.
Check out today’s MLB Grand Slam contest at FanDuel
Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Max Scherzer is my unquestioned top pitcher tonight. Gamers are likely to agree and make him the chalk selection. However, Alex Wood and Sean Manaea provide gamers superb pivots in GPPs. Casey Mize is a bargain SP2 option on DraftKings in all game types. However, he's listed under the cash game recommendations to free up salary to roster my favorite bats in addition to Mad Max in cash games, though.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Max Scherzer (LAD) at PHI
Scherzer dazzled in his Dodgers debut, holding the Astros to two runs and striking out 10 in seven innings. He's showing no signs of slowing down in his age-37 season, either. He owns a sizzling 2.98 SIERA and 34.5 K% in 2021.
Tonight's matchup is a far less challenging matchup than facing MLB's best offense against righties, which he did in his last time out. The Phillies rank 16th in wRC+ (92) against right-handed pitchers this year, per FanGraphs. In addition to the favorable matchup, the betting odds support Scherzer, too. Betting Pros lists the Dodgers as -160 favorites.
Casey Mize (DET) at BAL
Mize doesn't wow with gaudy strikeout totals. However, he keeps the ball on the ground with a 50.0 GB% in 116.0 innings, and he limits free passes. The combination has helped him net a 3.57 ERA.
Mize has a plus matchup tonight to help him continue his breakout. To that point, the Orioles are tied for 25th in wRC+ (85) against righties in 2021. However, the game's at hitter-friendly Oriole Park at Camden Yards and has a somewhat terrifying total of 10.5 runs, hence the risk level of medium listed in the table above.
GPP Recommendations:
Sean Manaea (OAK) at CLE
Manaea's in the midst of an excellent season. Further, he's dialed in. In his last seven starts spanning 40.1 innings, he's twirled a 3.79 ERA, 31.3 K%, and 32.5 CSW%. Those marks are almost identical to Scherzer's during that timeframe, illustrating why he's a tantalizing pivot on likely a lower percentage of rosters.
Further, the A's are -160 favorites, and the matchup is favorable. Cleveland is 26th in wRC+ (91) against southpaws this season. So, Manaea's a high-end upside play.
Alex Wood (SF) vs. ARI
Wood isn't a far cry behind Scherzer and Manaea in ERA or strikeout rate over his last seven turns. The southpaw's amassed a 3.93 ERA and 27.1 K%. Those are stellar marks. Yet, the case for using Wood gets stronger when factoring in the matchup and betting lines.
The Diamondbacks are 20th in wRC+ (95) against lefties, and the Giants are -220 favorites in a contest with a slate-low total of 7.5 runs. As a result, Wood's a great GPP option on both sites.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Cardinals face Steven Brault in his second start of the year. Last year, the southpaw held righties to a .261 wOBA. However, he's allowed a .339 wOBA to them in his career. The larger body of work suggests he's susceptible against righties. The Red Birds have a righty-heavy lineup. So, I'm expecting them to rough up Brault tonight.
The Rays don't look like an offense to stack against a southpaw at first blush. They rank tied for 21st in wRC+ (94) against them. However, the addition of Nelson Cruz at the MLB trade deadline provides a big pick-me-up. Further, their upside is enhanced by playing at Fenway Park tonight. According to the MLB Park Factors page, Fenway Park has the third-highest mark for runs (1.103). It also boosts doubles by the highest percentage (1.404).
The game total might throw some gamers off the scent. However, San Francisco's implied total is reasonable when considering they're large favorites. This year, the Giants are a top-five offense against righties, ranking tied for fifth with a 109 wRC+. Also, they should be intimately familiar with tonight's starter, Zac Gallen. This is their second look at him in less than a week, and it's his fourth start against the Giants in 2021.
View the best player prop bets for today's slate with our MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- Cruz isn't relenting his lefty-mashing in his advanced age. He has a .391 OBP, .210 ISO, and 154 wRC+ against them in 2021.
- This season, Brandon Crawford has terrorized righties, sporting a .385 OBP, .249 ISO, and 150 wRC+.
- Nolan Arenado's hammering lefties in his first season away from Coors Field, recording a .349 OBP, .303 ISO, and 153 wRC+.
- Tommy Edman is one of two bargains/punts listed who fits the bill on both sites. The switch-hitter has a .242 ISO and 126 wRC+ against lefties this year.
- Brandon Belt has hit the ground running since his reinstatement from the injured list. Additionally, he's touched up righties for a .349 OBP, .311 ISO, and 140 wRC+ this season.
- Tyler O'Neill's reasonably priced on FanDuel and grossly underpriced on DraftKings. He has a .390 OBP, .250 ISO, and 145 wRC+ against lefties in 2021.
- LaMonte Wade Jr.'s the other bargain on both sites. He's been a surprise contributor for the Giants, frequently hitting leadoff against righties. He's earned that nod by recording .355 OBP, 311 ISO, and 149 wRC+ in 184 plate appearances against righties this year.
Tuesday's Hitter Strategy
There are plenty of hitter options on such a large slate. However, the positions my favorite options from the Cardinals, Rays, and Giants mesh perfectly together. They also offer enough salary-relief options to blend them in with Scherzer at pitcher.
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.
