Wednesday features an 11-game MLB night slate. While there are a couple of high-priced aces on the slate, there are also a nice group of mid-priced value options which is where I will focus on my pitcher recommendations for tonight. On the hitting side, I will be considering a couple of stacks for teams that I don’t typically look to stack.
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Let’s mow down the competition 3 Up and 3 Down…
3 Up
Ace
Jon Lester (FD-$9,100 / DK-$9,200)
As I stated in the intro, I’m going to be living in the mid-priced range at pitcher tonight. While all three options are priced similarly I prefer Lester as my primary Cash game option. Lester has been solid in his last two outings giving up three runs over 12 innings with 10 strikeouts and two wins. He will face a Rays’ offense that was just one-hit by the Cubs’ pitching staff yesterday led by left-hander Mike Montgomery. The Rays have a tendency to go into offensive funks and with a total of five runs over their last three games, I expect Lester to pitch deep into the game and shut them down tonight while picking up a win.
Value
Brad Peacock (FD-$8,900 / DK-$9,800)
Peacock is not much of a “value” unless you compare him to the high-priced Chris Sale and Robbie Ray. Peacock should be a lock for 5 or 6 innings with 7+ strikeouts tonight against the White Sox. The White Sox have the highest strikeout rate (28.3%) against righties over the last 30 days while Peacock has 31.5% strikeout rate at home this season. While his strikeout ability gives him a high floor, he is unlikely to pitch deep enough into the game to have much upside. Peacock is a viable Cash game option on two-pitcher sites.
Darkhorse
Alex Wood (FD-$9,400 / DK-$9,300)
After a string of shaky outings, Wood seemed to get back into his early season form with a six shutout innings and eight strikeouts against the Nationals in his last start. He comes into Wednesday’s matchup with the Phillies as a big road favorite against an offense that has the ninth-highest strikeout rate (23.7%) versus lefties over the last 30 days. Due to Wood’s recent inconsistency, I would try to limit exposure to him in GPP lineups only.
3 Down
Top Stacks
Dodgers vs. Jake Thompson
The Dodgers’ offense has been sputtering recently scoring three runs or fewer in four straight games. However, they have a good chance to put up a crooked number on Wednesday against Phillies right-hander Jake Thompson with a favorable park adjustment in Philly. Right-handed hitters have fared very well against Thompson this season with a .418 wOBA and 2.49 HR/9. So, focus primarily on the Dodgers’ righties.
Chris Taylor (FD-$3,200 / DK-$3,900)
Justin Turner (FD-$4,200 / DK-$4,600)
Yasiel Puig (FD-$3,400 / DK-$4,400)
Cody Bellinger (FD-$4,200 / DK-$5,100)
Royals vs. Brett Anderson
I don’t stack the Royals often but this matchup is one where I think it makes sense. Don’t expect the Royals to hit a bunch of home runs but they should make a lot of hard contact with Anderson allowing a 39.5% hard hit rate this season. Double, singles and walks should lead to the Royals circling the bases making them worth a stack recommendation.
Whit Merrifield (FD-$4,100 / DK-$3,300)
Lorenzo Cain (FD-$3,600 / DK-$3,400)
Salvador Perez (FD-$3,100 / DK-$3,500)
Melky Cabrera (FD-$2,700 / DK-$3,200)
Contrarian Stack
Braves vs. Gio Gonzalez
I don’t believe I have used a full Braves stack the entire season but will consider one tonight as a low owned contrarian option. Gonzalez just gave up five runs to the Braves in his previous outing and Braves’ hitters have had success against Gonzalez over his career with a combined .415 wOBA and .346 batting average over 210 plate appearances. Plenty of value in this stack, especially on DraftKings.
Kurt Suzuki (FD-$3,200 / DK-$3,100)
Freddie Freeman (FD-$4,100 / DK-$4,300)
Ozzie Albies (FD-$3,700 / DK-$3,000)
Matt Kemp (FD-$3,000 / DK-$3,300)
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