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We’ve got three slates on FantasyDraft tonight – the main slate starts at 7:05 pm eastern and covers 14 games, with a turbo slate at 8:05 and a late slate starting at 9:40 pm. The early Royals-Reds matchup is not included on any slates.
Must Play SP: Noah Syndergaard, NYM ($19,500) vs ATL
Syndergaard has put up another stellar season with a 2.55 Deserved Run Average and a 2.87 FIP. With only 139 1/3 innings this year, it doesn’t look like the Mets will be limiting him at the end of the season, so you should expect a full workload in this start. The Braves aren’t a bad lineup, but they definitely benefit from their home ballpark, so they aren’t as much of a threat in an extreme pitcher’s park in New York. Thor can give you an ace-like outing at an attainable price.
Honorable Mention: Max Scherzer, WAS ($24,800) vs MIA
Value SP: Matt Shoemaker, LAA ($14,700) vs TEX
Shoemaker has been getting roughed up since returning from the disabled list, but I like him to bounce back at home against Texas. The Rangers are not a good lineup on the road, with just a .294 wOBA, and Shoemaker will benefit from a pitcher-friendly park. He’s also got significant strikeout upside against a team with a 24.3% K-rate against right-handers, the fifth highest mark in baseball. At this price, Shoemaker may give you sneaky value.
Honorable Mention: Josh James, HOU ($15,900) at TOR
IF Rafael Devers, BOS ($8,400) vs BAL (RHP Jimmy Yacabonis)
Devers has been installed in the middle of the Red Sox order, batting third, fourth, or fifth in recent matchups. That’s a fantastic spot for runs and RBI in one of the best hitter’s parks in Boston. Devers has a ton of home run potential against Yacabonis, who has an awful 2.20 HR/9 and a 6.34 ERA, so I’d try to roster him in GPP contests.
Honorable Mention: IF Jorge Polanco, MIN ($8,600) vs DET (Turnbull)
OF Josh Reddick, HOU ($8,200) at TOR (RHP Sam Gaviglio)
Reddick’s been hot lately, posting a 1.006 OPS over the last 15 days. He gets a great matchup against Gaviglio, owner of a 5.18 ERA, in a hitter’s environment in Toronto. The stacked Astros lineup should lead to lots of production around Reddick, which gives him opportunities for runs and RBIs of his own.
Honorable Mention: OF Nelson Cruz, SEA ($8,000) vs OAK (Anderson)
Value: OF Ryan Braun, MIL ($7,600) at STL (LHP Austin Gomber)
Even with a disappointing season overall, Braun has still hit lefties very well this year with a 123 wRC+. Austin Gomber isn’t as good as his ERA might suggest, as he’s got a 4.72 SIERA and a 5.19 DRA. Braun launched a home run last night and should have another big showing in an exciting matchup between two playoff contenders.
Honorable Mention: OF Marcell Ozuna, STL ($7,400) vs MIL (Gonzalez)
Top Stack: Angels vs Rangers (RHP Yovani Gallardo)
It’s tough to pass up a stack opportunity against Yovani Gallardo, who has a 6.59 ERA with just a 14.0% K-rate. Mike Trout ($10,400) is God, and there are affordable bats available in Justin Upton ($9,000) and Shohei Ohtani ($8,000). Jose Fernandez is a punt play to consider at just $5,900.
Honorable Mention: Indians at White Sox (Shields)