The main slate for Tuesday night includes 12 games. However, because DraftKings released the player pool for contests before Monday’s game between the Rangers and Guardians was postponed, players from both teams are in tonight’s player pool but won’t accrue points. So, make sure to avoid using players from either team.
Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The lucky lefty who is getting the Rockies away from Coors Field headlines tonight's pitching picks. However, a blossoming righty is a high-upside GPP pivot in a good matchup. Meanwhile, a couple of cheap hurlers are SP2 options at DK, while one of them is a volatile pick with the upside for GPPs on FanDuel as well.
The main slate for Tuesday night includes 12 games. However, because DraftKings released the player pool for contests before Monday’s game between the Rangers and Guardians was postponed, players from both teams are in tonight’s player pool but won’t accrue points. So, make sure to avoid using players from either team.
Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
The lucky lefty who is getting the Rockies away from Coors Field headlines tonight's pitching picks. However, a blossoming righty is a high-upside GPP pivot in a good matchup. Meanwhile, a couple of cheap hurlers are SP2 options at DK, while one of them is a volatile pick with the upside for GPPs on FanDuel as well.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Carlos Rodon (SF) vs. COL
The Rockies are dreadful away from their hitting paradise. According to FanGraphs, they're 27th in road wRC+ (83). Thus, Rodon should mow them down tonight.
San Francisco's big acquisition in free agency has allowed three runs or less and pitched five innings or more in nine of 10 starts. Sadly, his one outlier was a disaster against the Cardinals, getting drilled for eight runs on 10 hits, one walk and three strikeouts in 3.2 innings. Tossing his mess against the Red Birds, Rodon has had a 2.28 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 9.5 BB% and 31.9 K% in 51.1 innings.
Finally, the betting info is outstanding. According to Betting Pros, the Giants are -200 favorites, and the game's total is only 7.5 runs. Therefore, Rodon will probably be chalky, but he deserves to be.
Keegan Thompson (CHC) at BAL
It's imperative to save ample salary-cap space for the core stud hitters. So, using a cheap SP2 at DK is a must. Thankfully, Thompson has done well as a starter, spending time in the rotation and bullpen for the Cubs in 2022.
In four starts totaling 19.1 innings, he's had a 2.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 7.7 BB% and 16.7 K%. Unfortunately, Thompson's ERA estimators haven't been as good. Therefore, he's riskier than his ERA suggests.
Still, his matchup is good. The Orioles are 22nd in wRC+ (92) against righties. Thompson doesn't have to be a world-beater to provide value at his bargain salary. So, leaning into the favorable matchup makes sense.
GPP Recommendations:
Kyle Wright (ATL) vs. OAK
Wright's development from a first-round pick to a top-shelf starter hasn't followed a linear path. However, after enduring many struggles through his first tastes of the majors, he's put it together this year.
In 10 starts totaling 59.2 innings, Wright has had a 2.41 ERA, 3.32 xFIP, 1.07 WHIP, 9.6 BB%, 27.5 K% and 31.0 CSW%. Tonight, he has a delectable matchup against the A's. Oakland is 29th in wRC+ (73) against righties, striking out at an exploitable 24.4% clip. As a result, Wright is a high-upside pivot from Rodon in GPPs.
Kyle Bradish (BAL) vs. CHC
Bradish isn't a pick for the faint of heart, but he's a perfect fit for GPPs. The rookie righty has been smashed for a 6.82 ERA. Yet, his 3.72 xFIP has been much more encouraging. Additionally, Bradish's 7.6 BB%, 24.3 K%, and 27.4 CSW% are stellar marks.
Bradish is worth rolling the dice on pitching closer to his xFIP than his ghastly ERA in a mid-pack matchup against the Cubs. Chicago is tied for 15th in wRC+ (100) against righties, but their 23.0 K% gives Bradish some strikeout potential.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Dodgers are top-heavy and have the most challenging matchup of the top stacks, hence their best fit being GPPs. However, Michael Kopech's 2.20 ERA overstates how well he's pitched this year. The young righty's 4.67 xFIP is a more inviting number to stack against, and Kopech is coming off his worst start of the year, coughing up five runs in only three innings.
- Road (Kauffman Stadium)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/TOR -215
The Blue Jays roughed up the Royals last night, and they have another great matchup tonight. In 10 starts, Brad Keller has had a 4.15 ERA that outpaces his 4.43 xFIP and 4.75 SIERA. Moreover, he's playing with fire against Toronto's high-powered lineup, thanks to a 13.1 K%. Keller's low strikeout rate doesn't bode well for his chance of success tonight.
- Home (Truist Park)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.0 Runs/ATL -225
Cole Irvin has had a 2.96 ERA in eight starts this year. However, his sterling ERA has been extremely lucky, evidenced by his 5.07 xERA. Further, like Keller, he's playing with fire with a pitch-to-contact approach. The 28-year-old lefty has struck out only 14.8% of the batters he's squared off with this season. Irvin's low strikeout rate plays right into the hands of Atlanta's powerful bats. The Braves are first in ISO (.200) against southpaws this year.
- Yordan Alvarez has been a wrecking ball this year. The lefty slugger has mashed 16 taters with a .386 OBP, .322 ISO and 187 wRC+ in 207 plate appearances.
- Vladimir Guerrero isn't duplicating last year's success. Nevertheless, his 13 homers, .345 OBP, .233 ISO and 134 wRC+ in 223 plate appearances have been nothing to sneeze at.
- Austin Riley is a lefty-killer. In his career, he's had a .346 OBP, .264 ISO and 130 wRC+ against southpaws.
Value Plays/Punts (Title in Datawrapper)
- Bobby Dalbec has slipped into the short side of a platoon this year. Regardless, he's a steal on FD at the minimum salary. Dalbec has had a .282 ISO and 131 wRC+ against southpaws in 255 plate appearances in his career.
- Trent Grisham has been having a forgettable season. Yet, he's showing signs of life lately. In 49 plate appearances from May 23 through June 5, he had two homers, a 14.6 BB%, .263 ISO, .400 OBP, and 169 wRC+.
- Based on his leadoff duties alone, Tommy La Stella is a nifty bargain at FD. However, he's also had the highest average exit velocity of his career (90.1 mph), netting a .269 xBA and .478 xSLG for his efforts.
Tuesday's Hitter Strategy
The Blue Jays and Braves are the best sources of offense tonight. However, Alvarez is a stud from elsewhere who has merit for usage, and the Dodgers are an enticing GPP stack. Finally, squeezing the core studs onto the same team with any of the aces will require punting a few hitter spots.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
