It’s a medium-sized main DFS slate for hump day, beginning at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. However, the size is different for the two DFS providers. DK includes the White Sox at Royals on their main slate, expanding the total from FD’s eight-game offering to nine.
Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
One ace has the edge over the other ace on tonight's slate. He's the only top-shelf pitcher worth using on tonight's main slate. Instead, also picking from riskier bargain options is attractive to jam in some elite hitters.
It’s a medium-sized main DFS slate for hump day, beginning at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. However, the size is different for the two DFS providers. DK includes the White Sox at Royals on their main slate, expanding the total from FD’s eight-game offering to nine.
Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
One ace has the edge over the other ace on tonight's slate. He's the only top-shelf pitcher worth using on tonight's main slate. Instead, also picking from riskier bargain options is attractive to jam in some elite hitters.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Justin Verlander (HOU) vs. TEX
Verlander's pitching exceptionally well this year. In addition, he's white-hot lately. According to FanGraphs, in his last 11 starts totaling 72.1 innings, Verlander has had a 1.49 ERA, 3.34 SIERA, 0.87 WHIP, 4.6 BB%, 25.5 K% and 26.9 CSW%.
Verlander is in the mix for this year's AL Cy Young Award, and the Rangers are unlikely to hurt his care. Instead, they should be his latest victim. The Rangers are tied for 22nd in wRC+ (93) against righties. Finally, the betting info is ideal. According to Betting Pros, the Astros are -315, and the game's total is 7.5 runs.
Madison Bumgarner (ARI) vs. PIT
Bumgarner has a great matchup and good betting info. The Pirates are tied for 28th in wRC+ (82) against lefties. Additionally, their 26.5 K% against lefties is a draw for using Bumgarner against them. As for the betting info, the Diamondbacks are -176, and the game's total is 8.0 runs.
Frankly, Bumgarner is primarily a matchup-drive suggestion. However, he's also been rock-solid at home. In 68.0 innings, he's had a 3.31 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 6.5 BB% and 16.8 K%. Sadly, the veteran lefty's 4.67 xFIP has been alarming, but he has a history of outpitching his ERA estimators. So, he can still make the most of a plum draw tonight.
GPP Recommendations:
Noah Syndergaard (PHI) vs. MIA
Unfortunately, Syndergaard didn't light the world on fire in his first start for the Phillies after the trade deadline. However, he's been decent this year. In 16 starts totaling 85.0 innings, Syndergaard has had a 4.02 ERA, 4.26 xFIP, 4.26 SIERA, 4.28 xERA and 1.27 WHIP.
Syndergaard's marks won't knock anyone's socks off, and his 18.2 K% isn't special, either. However, he has a great matchup. Over the last 30 days, the Marlins are dead last in wRC+ (63). They've also struck out at a 23.7% clip, enhancing Thor's strikeout potential. Finally, the game's total is a pitcher-friendly 7.0 runs, and the Phillies are -136.
Mitch Keller (PIT) at ARI
Keller has had a stark turnaround from his brutal beginning of 2022. In his last 11 starts totaling 63.1 innings, Keller has had a 3.13 ERA, 3.53 xFIP, 3.86 SIERA, 1.33 WHIP, 6.8 BB% and 19.3 K%.
Unfortunately, the Pirates are unlikely to provide him much run support. Still, the Diamondbacks are a good matchup. Arizona is tied for 24th in wRC+ (92) against righties.
Nevertheless, there are two reasons he's ranked lower than Bumgarner and Thor. First, the Diamondbacks have lots of lefties to use against him, and Keller's 15.6 K% against them is underwhelming. Second, the betting info is more favorable for Bumgarner and Syndergaard. As a result, Keller is a hair behind both, despite pitching better than them lately.
Top Lineup Stacks
- Road (Dodger Stadium)
- Value: Medium
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: Unlisted
The Dodgers are projected to start Ryan Pepiot tonight.
The 24-year-old righty has had a 2.27 ERA in 75.1 innings in Triple-A and a 2.76 ERA in 16.1 innings for the Dodgers this season. However, Pepiot's 4.76 xFIP in Triple-A and 5.17 xFIP for the Dodgers are more inviting marks to stack against. He also has below-average control, which could cause him problems against Minnesota's top-five offense against righties. Thus, the Twins are a stellar stack against Pepiot.
- Home (Oriole Park at Camden Yards)
- Value: Medium
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: 9.0 Runs/BAL +135
It appeared as if Jose Berrios turned his season around in July. But then, he coughed up five runs on six hits (two homers), two walks and one strikeout in only 3.2 innings on August 5. The 28-year-old righty has been wildly inconsistent, resulting in a 5.19 ERA and 5.49 xERA. Additionally, he's been bad against righties and a tire fire against lefties. So, the Orioles can explode tonight if the lousy version of Berrios takes the hill.
- Road (Coors Field)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 11.0 Runs/STL -160
The Rockies showcased the full scoring potential of a team playing at Coors Field last night. Can the Cardinals do the same tonight? Possibly. They've destroyed lefties this year, ranking second with a 120 wRC+. Thus, the Red Birds can hammer top-shelf lefties, and Kyle Freeland isn't anywhere near that threshold. The veteran lefty has had a 4.56 ERA and 4.87 xERA in 21 starts this season.
- Nolan Arenado is an excellent selection in return to his old stomping grounds. Since 2019, Arenado has had a .366 OBP, .291 ISO and 140 wRC+ against southpaws.
- Adley Rutschman is crushing righties. The rookie catcher has had a .399 OBP, .230 ISO and 163 wRC+ against them in his debut.
- Dylan Carlson has a dreamy assignment, hitting leadoff at Coors Field. But, of course, he has also been great against lefties, owning a .383 OBP and 148 wRC+ against them in his career.
- Jorge Polanco is a switch-hitter who does his best work against righties. Since last year, he's had a .232 ISO and 132 wRC+ against them.
- Paul DeJong has crushed the ball since the Cardinals recalled him from the minors. He's slugged four homers in nine games.
- Nick Gordon has stepped up with the platoon advantage in his second season in The Show. He's had a 117 wRC+ against righties this year.
Wednesday's Hitter Strategy
The Cardinals will be chalky tonight, but they're the best source of offense. Still, the Twins and Orioles are also enticing offensive sources with upside tonight. The offensive lineup strategy tonight is to invest in a few high-salaried studs and offset their salaries with a few nifty punts, such as DeJong (or Terrin Vavra if you need more salary relief on FD) and Gordon.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
