MLB DFS Optimizer Picks Today: Spotlight Pitchers & Stacks
MLB DFS Optimizer Picks Today: Spotlight Pitchers
Of course, he also accumulated a wicked 50 strikeouts in this same timeframe, with his 4.58 ERA showing some poor luck when compared to his 3.82 FIP and 3.61 xFIP. Give him a mulligan for his last start, which was in Dodger Stadium on Saturday.
In Washington, LHP Sean Manaea and the New York Mets are facing LHP MacKenzie Gore and the Nationals. It is going to be a cool afternoon with temperatures in the mid-70s and a 10 to 12 mph breeze in from left field. The Nats have picked things up a little, posting a 7-7 record over their last 14 games, and the winner of Thursday’s tilt will also take the current series. Washington sets up better against righties, so Manaea is appealing due to some strikeout upside with a 25.1% combined rate since the start of last year, The Nationals projected lineup has only two players with a below-league-average strikeout rate and three with a 35% or greater K rate in this same timeframe.
Gore has righted the ship after allowing 23 runs across four starts, spanning 15.2 innings, going six scoreless innings in San Francisco on Aug. 10 and giving up just two “Ernies” last Friday at home against Philadelphia. He had 17 strikeouts in this stretch of 12 innings, ceding no home runs and issuing only three free passes. The Mets are a tough lineup, though the weather and resurgent form of Gore make him appealing.
For the DraftKings featured slate, five of the six hurlers are separated by less than 4 fantasy points, with RHP Jason Alexander being the odd man out. The delta is just under 6 fantasy points on FanDuel for this quintet, which are all below Cease, Gore and Manaea.
In New York, RHP Luis Gil is begrudgingly the recommended option, though this is definitely a mix-and-match slate on DraftKings, with all six pitchers and offense viable tournament plays. Gil did not make his season debut until Aug. 3 after suffering a right lat strain in spring training. He had four rehabilitation outings in the minors, recording 77, 91 and 83 pitches in his three MLB efforts. He should be able to close out the fifth inning, which would give him a chance for the victory bonus, though getting six innings to earn a quality start is a lofty expectation.
RHP Sonny Gray is the most experienced arm in action, but he is plying his trade at Steinbrenner Field tonight in Tampa, where temperatures are in the mid-80s with humidity approaching the 80% mark. The 35-year-old has had a solid season, though in his last six starts, he allowed nine or more hit four times, along with nine home runs and 18 total extra-base hits. Caveat Emptor!
After a fabulous 14-game winning streak, Milwaukee lost four of the last five, and the Brew Crew is trying to end a three-game skid against the Cubs before heading back home for a weekend series against San Francisco.
The wind has been blowing in at Wrigley Field over the last two days, including for Tuesday’s doubleheader. This and some solid pitching efforts by both sides has resulted in 22 runs across these tilts.
This afternoon, temperatures are projected for the mid-70s with a 9 to 12 mph breeze in from centerfield. That has a low 7.5 run total for this matchup between the second- and third-most prolific offenses in the league.
Imanaga missed six weeks in late spring with a hamstring issue. This afternoon will be his 11th appearance since returning from the injured list. Aside from lower strikeouts (7.87 per nine innings), he has been solid with a scant five walks across 58.1 innings, with a 3.24 ERA, 4.13 FIP and 4.09 xFIP.
MLB DFS Optimizer Picks Today: Top Stacks
Main Slate Target: St. Louis Cardinals
For the home team, things are more concentrated against Gray, so focus on the power upside of Brandon Lowe and Junior Caminero, plus the speed of Chandler Simpson and the all-around production of on-base maven Yandy Diaz.
On the other side, St. Louis gets to face RHP Joe Boyle, who suffered 10 earned runs in 5.1 total innings across road starts in San Francisco and Seattle. He has struggled with control, handing out seven free passes and four home runs in this stretch. The eight strikeouts are nice, but they do not come close to covering the cost of doing business with his other results.
Boyle came over from the Athletics as part of the deal for LHP Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez. He did have some cachet as a prospect with Cincinnati and the A’s, though it has yet to materialize in The Show for the now 26-year-old.
Look to the lefties first from the Redbirds, with Lars Nootbaar, Alec Burleson and Nolan Gorman the trio to target. They are likely to be spread out on the lineup card, so Ivan Herrera, Willson Contreras and Masyn Winn can be used to fill the gaps and create synergistic upside.
Early Slate Target: Kansas City Royals
Starting with a seven-game stretch in July, Kershaw had just 20 strikeouts in 39 innings. He has done a phenomenal job with limiting runs, but his curveball will be less effective at altitude. To his credit, he did hold the Rockies to one run on two hits at the end of June, though it may be tough to replicate that stat line a second time in the thin Denver air.
Fellow veteran lefty Patrick Corbin has also started to swoon after his resurgent season, allowing 13 runs in his last three starts with only six strikeouts and a hefty eight walks in 9.2 innings. On a positive note, despite being the league leader for home runs allowed since the start of the 2022 season, he ceded just three round-trippers in his last six starts.
There is a steady 7 to 10 mph breeze in from right field today at Kauffman Stadium, though temperatures will also be in the mid- to upper 80s. Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia and Randal Grichuk are the trio to target, with honorable mention going to pesky Jonathan India and venerable veteran catcher Salvador Perez.
Today’s Top Sports Betting Picks
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