Wednesday’s main slate isn’t huge. However, it’s a robust 10-game slate, starting at 7:05 pm ET. There are a few high-end starting pitchers to pick from and a few bottom-tier hurlers to pick on. Thus, there should be a fun mix of excellent pitching scores and offensive explosions.
Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
There's an ace for each game type tonight. Further, there are a pair of stellar SP2 options at DraftKings who double as intriguing GPP picks at FanDuel.
Wednesday’s main slate isn’t huge. However, it’s a robust 10-game slate, starting at 7:05 pm ET. There are a few high-end starting pitchers to pick from and a few bottom-tier hurlers to pick on. Thus, there should be a fun mix of excellent pitching scores and offensive explosions.
Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
There's an ace for each game type tonight. Further, there are a pair of stellar SP2 options at DraftKings who double as intriguing GPP picks at FanDuel.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Shane Bieber (CLE) vs. TEX
Thankfully, Bieber's two-mph dip in fastball velocity hasn't hampered his ability to dominate from the mound. According to FanGraphs, in 10 starts lasting 60.2 innings, he's had a 3.12 ERA, 3.32 xFIP, 1.15 WHIP, 6.5 BB%, 25.1 K% and 30.0 CSW%.
In addition, he's the latest featured pitcher who has had one messy start that drags his full-season totals down. Bieber has pitched six or more innings in four straight, allowing two runs or fewer in each and reaching double-digit strikeouts twice, with five punchouts and seven strikeouts in the other two games.
Tonight, Bieber and the Guardians are -159 favorites, and the game's total is 7.5 runs, per Betting Pros. So, Bieber checks many integral boxes for being the top pitcher on tonight's slate.
Nathan Eovaldi (BOS) at LAA
Eovaldi has brilliantly bounced back from his nightmarish start against the Astros on May 17. He's spun three straight quality starts, recording a 1.66 ERA, 2.49 SIERA, 0.83 WHIP, 3.7 BB%, 30.9 K% and 31.8 CSW% in 21.2 innings.
He'll attempt to keep rolling against the reeling Angels. The Angels fired manager Joe Maddon on Tuesday in the midst of their slump. Over the last 14 days, they're 29th in wRC+ (81) with a 24.0 K%. So, Eovaldi should be licking his chops at catching the Angels now.
GPP Recommendations:
Nestor Cortes (NYY) at MIN
Cortes has been a stud this year. In fact, among qualified pitchers, he's had the best ERA (1.50). The lefty has also had the eighth-highest strikeout rate (29.7%) among qualified pitchers. Sure, some luck has been involved in leading MLB in ERA, but his 2.19 xERA has also been outstanding.
The lefty has also been a model of consistency. Cortes' season-high for runs in a start is three, and he's held the opposition to two runs or fewer in his other nine starts, including blanking opponents four of 10 turns. There's nothing wrong with paying Cortes' high salary in cash games, but the discount for Bieber is enticing as an alternative. Instead, Cortes' sky-high ceiling is attractive to chase in GPPs.
Ian Anderson (ATL) vs. OAK
Anderson has struggled this year, tallying a 4.70 ERA. However, his 3.83 xERA has been more encouraging. Additionally, Anderson has missed bats at an above-average clip, owning a 12.2 SwStr% (11.1 SwStr% is the league average).
The 24-year-old righty has used his bat-missing stuff to the best of his ability in his previous three starts, striking out 20 of 77 batters faced (26.0 K%). Further, he struck out a season-high nine in his last start at Coors Field.
So, Anderson's strikeout potential is a perfect fit for GPPs against the swing-and-miss prone A's. Oakland has had the seventh-highest strikeout rate (24.4%) against righties this year.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Braves are facing a lefty for the second night in a row. Moreover, they're facing a 28-year-old lefty making his big-league debut. Jared Koenig took the road less traveled to The Show, spending three years in independent ball. He also reportedly doesn't have impressive stuff and relies on pitching acumen to get the job done. Atlanta's powerful lineup will test Koenig's approach. This season, the Braves are tied for fourth in wRC+ (117) and first in ISO (.200) against lefties.
- Road (Guaranteed Rate Field)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/LAD -175
The Dodgers are capable of bringing Johnny Cueto back to Earth. The 36-year-old righty has been a pleasant surprise for the White Sox, but his 2.92 ERA is considerably better than his 3.86 xERA, 3.90 xFIP, and 4.10 SIERA. Additionally, Cueto's 7.2 SwStr% in 2022 has tied his career-low mark, leaving him vulnerable to the vagaries of batted balls. Eventually, his inability to miss bats will catch up to him, and the Dodgers can punish his approach.
- Road (Oriole Park at Camden Yards)
- Value: High
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/CHC-134
The Cubs are a fine stack on FD. However, this stack is suggested with DK's two-pitcher format in mind, where cheap options are needed to use either of the previous stacks with one of the top pitchers. Thankfully, the Cubs fit the bill as a stack that provides value, especially for gamers willing to wrap around the bottom of the order with the top of it. But, of course, the impetus for suggesting them beyond cap friendliness is facing Jordan Lyles. The veteran righty's 4.50 ERA is his lowest mark since 2019, and his 5.09 xERA means he's been lucky.
- Ronald Acuna smacked a pair of homers last night, and he has a track record of crushing lefties. Since 2019, he's had a .395 OBP, .272 ISO and 144 wRC+ against them.
- Sadly, Austin Riley donned the golden sombrero last night. Thankfully, he faces a lefty making his big-league debut tonight. So, he's an excellent play, boasting a .264 ISO and 130 wRC+ against lefties since 2019.
- Christopher Morel is quickly making his presence felt in The Show. In his first 97 plate appearances, he's had a .381 OBP, .226 ISO, 150 wRC+, six doubles, two triples, three homers and six stolen bases in eight attempts. As a result, the rookie leadoff hitter is a great pick at both DFS sites.
- Bobby Dalbec should be in the lineup again tonight, with Boston squaring off with another southpaw. Dalbec is a classic short-side-of-the-platoon hitter, but he excels against southpaws. In 255 plate appearances against them, he's had a .282 ISO and 131 wRC+.
- Trent Grisham is in good form after a slow start. From May 23 through June 6, he had a .375 OBP, .244 ISO and 152 wRC+ in 51 plate appearances. Grisham also reached base last night. So, he's a useful punt, namely at DK.
- Cody Bellinger doesn't resemble the hitter who captured the 2019 NL MVP. Nevertheless, he's still above average with the platoon advantage. He's had a .233 ISO and 109 wRC+ against righties this year. The left-handed-hitting outfielder's power is worth chasing against Cueto's pitch-to-contact approach.
Wednesday's Hitter Strategy
The hitting strategy tonight has a stars-and-scrubs feel. Gamers are encouraged to jam studs from the Braves and Dodgers into their lineup, using values and punts where it's necessary to accommodate the stars.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
