Again, it’s a different-sized main slate on DraftKings and FanDuel tonight. Fortunately, it’s a sizable one on both DFS providers, including 14 games on DK and 13 on FD. Still, tonight’s top pitchers are whittled down to a trio. There are also three featured stacks — neither at Coors Field — and studs and values/punts.
Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Spoiler alert, only one of the featured stacks requires a significant portion of the salary cap. Thus, there isn't a value pitcher suggested for tonight. Instead, a couple of aces and a high-strikeout youngster are the recommended picks.
Again, it’s a different-sized main slate on DraftKings and FanDuel tonight. Fortunately, it’s a sizable one on both DFS providers, including 14 games on DK and 13 on FD. Still, tonight’s top pitchers are whittled down to a trio. There are also three featured stacks — neither at Coors Field — and studs and values/punts.
Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Spoiler alert, only one of the featured stacks requires a significant portion of the salary cap. Thus, there isn't a value pitcher suggested for tonight. Instead, a couple of aces and a high-strikeout youngster are the recommended picks.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Gerrit Cole (NYY) vs. CIN
Cole had a rough start at Fenway Park in his last turn, allowing five runs in six innings to the Red Sox. Fortunately, the only similarity between the Reds and Red Sox is their team names. According to FanGraphs, Cincinnati is 27th in wRC+ (85) against righties. They've also had the fifth-highest strikeout rate (24.1 K%) against them. So, this is a rebound spot for Cole.
Before his hiccup against the Red Sox, Cole had four straight quality starts, spinning a 1.37 ERA, 2.97 SIERA, 0.84 WHIP, 33.7 K% and 11.5 SwStr%. The stud righty should have little trouble mowing down the visiting Reds. Additionally, the betting info supports that assertion. According to Betting Pros, the Yankees are -286, and the game's total is just 8.0 runs. As a result, Cole is the best pitcher in all game types.
Logan Webb (SF) vs. ARI
Webb has been in a groove. In his last five starts totaling 34.0 innings, he's had a 1.32 ERA, 3.51 xFIP, 0.94 WHIP, 5.3 BB%, 22.1 K% and 27.1 CSW%. Moreover, Webb has allowed three earned runs or less in 15 of 17 starts.
Tonight, he has a desirable matchup. The Diamondbacks are 23rd in wRC+ (91) against right-handed pitchers. Further, their 23.2 K% gives Webb something to work with. Finally, the Giants are -210, and the game's total is only 8.0 runs.
GPP Recommendation:
Josiah Gray (WSH) vs. SEA
Gray isn't a safe pick, evidenced by the game's total of 9.5 runs and both teams sporting -110 lines. However, he's an intriguing GPP pick, thanks to his recent play and strikeout potential. In Gray's last four starts spanning 24.2 innings, he's had a 3.65 ERA, 3.28 SIERA, 1.05 WHIP, 6.8 BB%, 29.1 K% and 28.6 CSW%.
The righty faces a slightly above-average offense. The Mariners are 11th in wRC+ (105) against righties. However, they'll be without wunderkind Julio Rodriguez while he serves his one-game suspension, removing his potent 135 wRC+ from the lineup. Gray has precisely the pitching profile worth using in GPPs.
Top Lineup Stacks
- Home (Truist Park)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/ATL -165
The Braves will welcome the sight of David Peterson on the mound tonight instead of Max Scherzer. First, Scherzer's a stud, and Peterson is a swingman/back-end starter. Second, Peterson's a lefty, and the Braves mash lefties. Atlanta is fifth in wRC+ (118) against southpaws and third in ISO (.200). They're also a top-five offense in home games. So, there's a great chance they light up the scoreboard after their clunker on Monday night.
- Home (Kauffman Stadium)
- Value: High
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: 9.0 Runs/KC -130
The Royals host an overachieving rookie in their hitter-friendly home digs. Beau Brieske has had a 4.16 ERA which is significantly lower than all of his ERA estimators, such as his 5.70 xERA, 4.81 xFIP and 4.86 SIERA. There aren't many regression outliers, and there's nothing in Brieske's statistical profile to suggest he'll be one of the rare exceptions. As a result, the Royals are an outstanding matchup-driven stack.
- Home (Oracle Park)
- Value: High
- Risk: High
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.0 Runs/SF -210
The Giants are another matchup-driven stack, facing a veteran hurler who has no business starting in the majors. Dallas Keuchel was designated for assignment by the White Sox, and he's remained a tire fire for the Diamondbacks. He's had a 7.63 ERA in 2022. Keuchel has also coughed up a .385 wOBA to righties this year. So, the platoon-heavy Giants should take advantage of the platoon advantage. Though, the lefties in the lineup will also enjoy the .403 wOBA Keuchel has ceded in same-handed matchups.
- Ronald Acuna kills lefties. Since 2019, he's had a .396 OBP, .269 ISO and 145 wRC+.
- Austin Riley is another lefty-killer, owning a .347 OBP, .271 ISO and 132 wRC+ against them since 2019. He's a great option at both sites. However, gamers in cash games at DK can pivot to the cheaper Manny Machado. Still, the $600 salary discount at FD was too much to pass up.
- Bobby Witt has done well in same-handed matchups as a rookie, amassing a .201 ISO and 117 wRC+.
- Darin Ruf is the top value play on tonight's slate. Since returning from the KBO in 2020, he's had a .382 OBP, .276 ISO and 151 wRC+ against lefties.
- Alex Kirilloff has had a 122 wRC+ against righties this year, which bodes well for his matchup against Jason Alexander's .412 wOBA ceded to left-handed hitters.
- Vinnie Pasquantino raked in yesterday's doubleheader, pushing his season totals to a .362 OBP and 115 wRC+ in 58 plate appearances.
Tuesday's Hitter Strategy
Fading Coors Field is a risky strategy, but it has a chance to pay off tonight. So instead, a few affordable stacks surrounding top pitching is my preferred move. Atlanta is a little pricey, but they have the upside to match the Rockies and Padres, and using the Royals and Giants can offset their hefty salaries.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
