The Thursday night main slate is tiny, featuring only four games on FanDuel. However, it’s slightly different on DraftKings, featuring another game, starting with the Mets at the Marlins at 6:40 PM ET.
Check out today’s MLB Grand Slam contest at FanDuel 
Thursday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Jose Berrios is the closest to an ace on tonight's slate, and he's not in that tier. Rather than forcing it with him in a less-than-ideal matchup, I prefer Ranger Suarez as the top option in a cushy matchup. Huascar Ynoa's nipping at his heels for top-pitcher honors. He's a more talented pitcher, yet his fantasy-friendly matchup isn't quite as delectable as Suarez's. Finally, John Means is my preferred GPP target.
The Thursday night main slate is tiny, featuring only four games on FanDuel. However, it’s slightly different on DraftKings, featuring another game, starting with the Mets at the Marlins at 6:40 PM ET.
Check out today’s MLB Grand Slam contest at FanDuel
Thursday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Jose Berrios is the closest to an ace on tonight's slate, and he's not in that tier. Rather than forcing it with him in a less-than-ideal matchup, I prefer Ranger Suarez as the top option in a cushy matchup. Huascar Ynoa's nipping at his heels for top-pitcher honors. He's a more talented pitcher, yet his fantasy-friendly matchup isn't quite as delectable as Suarez's. Finally, John Means is my preferred GPP target.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Ranger Suarez (PHI) vs. COL
The appeal of using Suarez is primarily fueled by drawing the Rockies away from Coors Field. According to FanGraphs, they're the worst road offense in baseball, recording a 68 wRC+ and 25.3 K% in road tilts. Suarez has made a seamless transition from the bullpen to the rotation.
In seven starts totaling 31.2 innings, he's spun a 1.71 ERA, 3.80 xFIP, 4.23 SIERA, 1.23 WHIP, 63.1 GB%, and 23.1 K%. Suarez's ERA estimators clearly aren't as impressive as his sterling ERA. Still, they're acceptable, and he should have little trouble mowing down the Rockies tonight.
Huascar Ynoa (ATL) vs. WSH
I referred to Berrios as the closest thing to an ace on the slate, but that might not be true. Ynoa's 3.45 xFIP and 3.61 SIERA as a starter this season are the top marks on the slate. Ditto for his 26.8 K% and 31.4 CSW%. Ynoa's the top hurler from a talent perspective, albeit without a track record as long as Berrios's.
Like Suarez, Ynoa has a favorable matchup tonight. The Nationals rank 22nd in wRC+ (89) since the trade deadline. The young righty's faced the Nationals twice this year, holding them to one unearned run on six hits, three walks, and nine strikeouts in 12 innings. Thus, I'm expecting him to roll tonight.
GPP Recommendations:
John Means (BAL) vs. KC
Means is pitching a bit above his skis, as evidenced by a 3.47 ERA that's markedly better than his 4.41 xFIP and 4.10 SIERA. However, he's done a superb job of limiting free passes with a 4.4 BB%. In addition, he's armed with swing-and-miss stuff that's resulted in a 12.3 SwStr% that's one percent above the league average. Thus, there are positives to glean from his stats, too.
Further, he has an excellent matchup tonight. The Royals are tied for last in wRC+ (62) since the trade deadline. Means is flawed enough to carry a risk for a blowup start. However, his upside pushes him into the GPP mix on a small slate.
Top Lineup Stacks
I sang the praises of reliever-turned-starter Suarez above, and Nestor Cortes Jr. deserves kudos for pulling off the same feat. Still, he's outproducing his ERA estimators by a wide margin. Also, his fly-ball approach is a dangerous one against Toronto's power-packed lineup. As a result, I'll take the Blue Jays getting the better end of this matchup.
Erick Fedde is arguably the worst starting pitcher on tonight's slate. The Braves have the good fortune of opposing him. Of course, this makes them one of the top stacks tonight. Even without superstar Ronald Acuna, the Braves continue to operate as an above-average offense. Finally, this will be Atlanta's fourth look at Fedde this year, and they've roughed him up in each of the three prior meetings.
- Teoscar Hernandez has laid the lumber to lefties this year, tallying a .368 OBP, .387 ISO, and 190 wRC+.
- Austin Riley is teeing off on righties in a breakout 2021 campaign, recording a .395 OBP, .261 ISO, and 155 wRC+.
- Marcus Semien can't match his teammate's lefty-killing exploits. Still, his .243 ISO against them this year is excellent.
- Alejandro Kirk has made his 45 plate appearances against southpaws this season count, hammering them for a .444 OBP, .289 ISO, and 194 wRC+.
- This year, Brad Miller's tallied a .361 OBP, .261 ISO, and 132 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers.
- Shortstop is the position I'm most inclined to punt tonight, making Gregorius's .187 ISO against righties a palatable enough number while holding my nose at his 85 wRC+.
Thursday's Hitter Strategy
I'm squeezing in as many Blue Jays and Braves around my favorite pitching options as I can, conceding spinning down to Miller and Gregorius as punts to do so.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
