MLB DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Monday (5/9)

A new week brings a nine-game Monday night main slate on DraftKings and a seven-game slate on FanDuel. There are a plethora of excellent pitching selections. However, the stacks aren’t as plentiful. Still, three stacks are appealing in GPPs.

Monday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The different start times for tonight's main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel create an interesting dynamic. Thankfully, the top pitcher on the slate is available for both providers. However, the recommended cash game picks are only on DraftKings' main slate. Thus, the top pitcher in the GPP recommendations doubles as the optimal cash game pick at FanDuel.

Cash Game Recommendations:

Brandon Woodruff (MIL) at CIN
Sadly, Woodruff's season opened with a dud. Nevertheless, he's rebounded magnificently. According to FanGraphs, in four subsequent starts, Woodruff has had a 3.05 ERA, 2.24 SIERA, 0.97 WHIP, 35.4 K%, and 31.6 CSW%.

Woodruff held the Reds to two runs on four hits, zero walks, and a dozen strikeouts in 5.2 innings in his most recent start. So, I like his odds of dominating them again tonight. But don't just believe me. Betting Pros lists the Brewers as -180 favorites and the game's line at 7.5 runs.

Julio Urias (LAD) at PIT
Urias provides gamers with the best bang for their buck, and he'll likely be on the highest percentage of DraftKings rosters because of that. The Dodgers are commanding -250 favorites, and the game's total is a pitcher-friendly 7.5 runs.

Of course, Urias isn't merely a betting-info-inspired pick. The 25-year-old lefty has had a tiny 1.88 ERA, 2.45 xERA, and 0.92 WHIP in five starts totaling 24.0 innings in 2022. Urias should keep rolling against the punchless Pirates tonight.

GPP Recommendations:

Carlos Rodon (SF) vs. COL
Rodon is pitching like he's playing a video game in the easiest setting. Remarkably, the two runs he allowed in the previous start were a season-high. Rodon has struck out eight batters or more in four turns, too.

The Rockies aren't a pushover, but Rodon is pitching at another level. As a result, the lefty's ceiling is through the roof. Finally, the Giants are listed as -250 favorites with a game total of 6.5 runs at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.

Paul Blackburn (OAK) at DET
Blackburn has been one of the season's biggest early-season surprises. The 28-year-old righty has had a 2.22 ERA, 2.70 SIERA, 0.95 WHIP, 3.3 BB%, 25.0 K%, and 31.9 CSW% in five starts lasting 24.1 innings.

Moreover, Blackburn's cutter and curve have been elite bat-missing weapons, generating a 20.4 SwStr% and 21.2 SwStr%, respectively. The Tigers offer Blackburn a golden opportunity to extend his heater. Detroit is 27th in wRC+ (76) with a 24.8 K% against righties in 2022.

Top Lineup Stacks

• Home (Guaranteed Rate Field)
• Value: Medium
• Risk: Medium
• Game Type: GPP
• Game Total/Moneyline: 7.5 Runs/CWS -180

This year, the White Sox have struggled with righties amassing only a 77 wRC+. However, many of their hitters have lengthy track records of success against right-handed pitchers. So, it's likely an early-season fluke. In addition, a matchup with Zach Plesac is good for the offense.

• Road (Chase Field)
• Value: High
• Risk: High
• Game Type: GPP
• Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/MIA -125

The Marlins are a top-10 offense against right-handed pitchers in 2022, sporting a 111 wRC+. Additionally, Miami's lineup has depth. Against righties, since 2019, six of the top seven hitters in their projected lineup have had a 107 wRC+ or higher. Finally, Humberto Castellanos' 4.97 ERA and 5.04 xFIP in 76 innings in his career are marks to get excited about stacking against.

• Home (Chase Field)
• Value: High
• Risk: High
• Game Type: GPP
• Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/ARI EVEN

The Diamondbacks oppose the previously discussed Marlins, and they're an enticing offense to stack as well. Arizona's offense has a great draw with the struggling Elieser Hernandez. Miami's righty has had a 6.66 ERA in five starts spanning 24.1 innings. Most interestingly, he's been hammered for 2.59 HR/9.

• Jazz Chisholm Jr. slugged his fifth homer of 2022 yesterday. The dynamic second baseman has a .310 ISO and 176 wRC+ out of the chute, adding six stolen bases in seven tries.
• There is nothing wrong with Luis Robert's 127 wRC+ this season. However, his batted-ball data paints an even more exciting picture, resulting in a .353 xBA and .725 xSLG. So, there's untapped potential for Robert.
• Eugenio Suarez has power that's appealing in GPPs. He has had a .239 ISO versus lefties since 2019.

• This year, Daulton Varsho has been ripping the cover off the ball, producing a .234 ISO and 129 wRC+.
• Pavin Smith has been joining Varsho in raking this year, recording a .351 OBP and 121 wRC+.
• David Peralta is a third value from the Diamondbacks. He's retooled his swing, adding lift to the balls he's putting in play. As a result, Peralta has had a 22.4-degree launch angle and his highest barrel rate (7.5 Barrel%) since 2018. Sadly, he's underperforming his expected stats. Nonetheless, it's wise to put faith in better results in the future.

Monday's Hitter Strategy
The Diamondbacks are a treasure trove of value hitting tonight, reflected in their dominance of the values/punts table. They're great selections in all game types, opening up salary-cap space for studs like Chisholm and Robert and some of their teammates.

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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.