Here are the top pitchers and hitters for the Thursday evening five-game MLB slate. Make sure you get your lineups in a little bit early tonight with the first pitch for the night slate at 6:40 pm EST.
This article will be a freebie since it is for a small slate and only lists my top plays without much analysis.
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Let’s mow down the competition 3 Up and 3 Down…
Ace
Luis Castillo (FD-$10,300 / DK-$10,600)
I don’t love Castillo’s matchup against the Cubs, but he is still by far the top pitching option on the evening slate. He has recorded at least seven strikeouts in eight out of nine starts this season.
Value
Trevor Williams (FD-$7,900 / DK-$8,300)
Williams draws a favorable matchup pitching against the Padres in San Diego on Thursday night. The Padres have the highest strikeout rate (27.3%) against righties this season and rank in the bottom eight in wOBA (.294) and wRC+ (84).
Darkhorse
Eric Lauer (FD-$6,700 / DK-$6,800)
I’d consider using Lauer over Williams in the same game as my SP2 on two-pitchers sites. Prior to his last start in Coors Field, Lauer had three straight outings allowing just two runs while striking out at least five in each game. He’ll face a Pirates team that has a 28.2% strikeout rate (5th) against lefties this season while ranking 28th in wOBA and wRC+.
Top Hitters
Marcell Ozuna (FD-$4,200 / DK-$5,000)
Freddie Freeman (FD-$4,000 / DK-$4,500)
Eric Sogard (FD-$3,600 / DK-$4,400)
Randal Grichuk (FD-$3,400 / DK-$4,200)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (FD-$3,000 / DK-$4,100)
Ozzie Albies (FD-$3,600 / DK-$4,100)
Matt Carpenter (FD-$3,200 / DK-$4,000)
Justin Smoak (FD-$3,400 / DK-$3,900)
Nick Markakis (FD-$3,500 / DK-$3,900)
Joey Votto (FD-$3,200 / DK-$3,500)
Miguel Sano (FD-$2,500 / DK-$3,500)
JP Crawford (FD-$2,300 / DK-$3,100)
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