There isn’t any MLB fan base left out of tonight’s DFS festivities. There are 15 games tonight, starting at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. The maximum-sized slate means there are limitless roster-building opportunities. Nonetheless, it’s imperative to whittle the players down to a group to mix and match.
Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Hammering the upper-middle and middle-tier arms is an attractive strategy with a handful of high-priced stacks worthy of usage. Additionally, there's one extreme bargain hurler who makes sense in GPPs.
There isn’t any MLB fan base left out of tonight’s DFS festivities. There are 15 games tonight, starting at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. The maximum-sized slate means there are limitless roster-building opportunities. Nonetheless, it’s imperative to whittle the players down to a group to mix and match.
Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Hammering the upper-middle and middle-tier arms is an attractive strategy with a handful of high-priced stacks worthy of usage. Additionally, there's one extreme bargain hurler who makes sense in GPPs.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Triston McKenzie (CLE) vs. OAK
McKenzie is the top pitcher on tonight's slate, factoring in salary. This year, the 24-year-old righty has had a 3.10 ERA. That's a tick lucky, depending on the ERA estimator. According to FanGraphs, he's had a 3.92 xERA.
Thankfully, his xERA is rock-solid, and the A's are unlikely to give him any problems. They're 29th in wRC+ (71) and have struck out at the seventh-highest rate (24.4%) versus righties in 2022. Finally, the betting info is great. According to Betting Pros, the game's total is 7.5 runs, and the Guardians are -167.
Aaron Ashby (MIL) at WSH
Ashby is the top GPP option on FD. However, he can be paired with McKenzie in cash games on DK. The lefty has pitched from the bullpen and rotation, and he's been quite good as a starter. In six starts totaling 31.1 innings, Ashby has had a 3.45 ERA, 3.34 xFIP, 1.37 WHIP, 28.5 K%, and 33.1 CSW%.
The 24-year-old lefty has a good matchup and betting data that supports using him. Washington is 21st in wRC+ (92) against southpaws this season. Further, the Brewers are -165 favorites.
GPP Recommendations:
Jose Berrios (TOR) at DET
Berrios has had a few truly disastrous starts this season. It started right out of the gate when the Rangers hopped on him for four runs in only 0.1 innings. Still, Berrios has held seven of the next 10 opponents to three runs or fewer, pitching at least five innings in each of his good turns.
Additionally, he's coming off one of his best starts of the year. The last time Berrios toed the slab, he twirled seven innings, holding the Twins to two runs on three hits, two walks and a season-high 13 strikeouts. Finally, perhaps, he's working out of his season-long funk, throwing three quality starts in his last four turns. As a result, rolling the dice on Berrios is attractive in GPPs against Detroit's horrible offense. The Tigers are dead last in wRC+ (70) against righties while tying for the second-highest strikeout rate (25.0 K%).
Roansy Contreras (PIT) at ATL
Contreras is precisely the high-upside cheap arm gamers should covet in GPPs. This year, in three starts spanning 15.2 innings, the rookie righty has had a 1.15 ERA, 3.43 xFIP, 3.63 SIERA, 1.09 WHIP, 7.8 BB%, 25.0 K% and 29.5 CSW%.
The draw for using him tonight is a matchup with the strikeout-prone Braves. Yes, the Braves have a handful of talented hitters who could trip Contreras up. However, they have also had the highest strikeout rate (26.2 K%) against righties. So, don't be afraid to take the plunge with Contreras in GPPs.
Top Lineup Stacks
Toronto's implied total is sky-high tonight against overmatched righty Elvin Rodriguez. Frankly, it's malpractice from the Tigers throwing Rodriguez to the wolves. Since 2021, in 100.1 innings in Double-A and Triple-A, Rodriguez has had a 5.20 ERA and 5.54 FIP. Rodriguez has no business taking his lumps in the majors, but that's Toronto's gain tonight.
- Home (Yankee Stadium)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/NYY -250
The Yankees greet Wade Miley in his return from the Injured List (IL) tonight. The veteran southpaw has made only three starts this year, but his pitch-to-contact approach is a terrible stylistic fit against the powerful Bronx Bombers. Thus, he'll likely struggle against an offense that's had the second-highest ISO (.194) versus lefties this year.
- Road (Oracle Park)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.0 Runs/LAD -162
It's not often the Dodgers will be an off-the-radar stack. Therefore, tonight's an excellent opportunity to swerve to their star-studded lineup in GPPs. The Dodgers are third in wRC+ (118) against righties, and Jakob Junis isn't as daunting a matchup as his 3.27 ERA in six starts would suggest. Junis's 3.92 xFIP and 4.08 SIERA are more realistic expectations for his performance from now on.
- Vladimir Guerrero has had a .330 OBP, .223 ISO and 125 wRC+ against righties this season. So, he should have little trouble hammering Rodriguez.
- Aaron Judge is making his case for the AL MVP Award with his booming bat. This season, in 241 plate appearances, he's hit 22 homers with a .383 OBP, .362 ISO and 198 wRC+.
- Bo Bichette was a little sluggish out of the gate. However, since May 1, in 153 plate appearances, he's had a .359 OBP, .237 ISO, 154 wRC+ and launched seven long-balls.
- DK has the right idea with Teoscar Hernandez's salary, but he's a grossly underpriced steal on FD. The 29-year-old righty is on a tear. Since May 24, in 52 plate appearances, he's had a .404 OBP, .213 ISO, 174 wRC+ and 21.6 Barrel%.
- Oscar Gonzalez is a good value on FD, and he's comically the minimum salary on DK. The rookie outfielder has raked for the Guardians after crushing the upper minors. Since 2021, in 686 plate appearances in Double-A and Triple-A, he mashed 40 taters with a .324 OBP, .242 ISO and 124 wRC+.
- Gabriel Moreno isn't a lock to start tonight. However, the Blue Jays are calling up their talented backstop. Since last year, in 309 plate appearances in Double-A and Triple-A, he's had a .408 OBP, .171 ISO and 151 wRC+. Therefore, he's a no-brainer punt at the minimum salary on DK.
Friday's Hitter Strategy
Even though there are 15 games on the docket, the Blue Jays and Yankees are easily the best offenses to invest in. Still, the Dodgers are an appealing GPP pivot.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
