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We’ve got just one slate on FantasyDraft tonight, covering all 10 games and starting at 7pm eastern.
Must Play SP: Zack Wheeler, NYM ($18,100) vs SF
Wheeler has been untouchable over the last month, striking out 30 batters in 32 innings with a 1.41 ERA. He’s now got a 3.14 Deserved Run Average and a 3.43 FIP on the year and should have another stellar outing against the Giants. San Francisco is one of the weakest lineups in baseball against right-handed pitching with a .302 wOBA. Wheeler will get to face them at home in pitcher-friendly Citi Field and is one of the most valuable starters on the slate at his price.
Honorable Mention: Gerrit Cole, HOU ($26,000) at SEA
Value SP: Alex Wood, LAD ($15,300) vs STL
While he doesn’t have a ton of strikeout upside, Wood has been a reliable starter all year with a 3.51 ERA, 3.48 FIP, and a 3.12 DRA. He’s pitched well in some tough matchups lately (vs HOU, @ATL, @MIL) so I’m not afraid to roll him out against the Cardinals. I like Wood in cash games tonight, as he’s got a high floor for this start at a cheap price.
Honorable Mention: Marco Estrada, TOR ($13,500) vs BAL
IF Matt Chapman, OAK ($8,200) vs TEX (RHP Bartolo Colon)
Chapman has been playing out of his mind, so it’s shocking that he’s not much more expensive. He’s got a 1.145 OPS in the last month and has an elite 141 wRC+ against right-handed pitching this year. Chapman will be batting second for the A’s against one of the worst pitchers in the league. Colon has a 5.19 ERA and a 1.73 HR/9 this season, so Chapman can easily go deep off of him. Even if he doesn’t leave the park, Chapman is a lock for some production.
Honorable Mention: IF Carlos Correa, HOU ($8,500) at SEA (Hernandez)
OF Max Kepler, MIN ($7,600) vs CWS (RHP Lucas Giolito)
Kepler is an under-the-radar play that you can grab for cheap in the outfield. He’s by no means a great hitter, but he’s been about league-average and doesn’t strike out much at 16.0%. That will play well against Giolito, who has just a 15.4% K-rate an awful 6.15 ERA. If you can pair Kepler with some of his teammates like Jorge Polanco and Eddie Rosario, you could have a nice stack on your hands.
Honorable Mention: OF Corey Dickerson, PIT ($8,200) vs ATL (Gausman)
Value: OF Avisail Garcia, KC ($7,600) at MIN (LHP Stephen Gonsalves)
Garcia is a fantastic value any time he faces a lefty, as he’s been crushing them this year to the tune of a 150 wRC+. Lefty Stephen Gonsalves is making his big league debut tonight, so he’s at risk for a meltdown in his first time against major league hitters. He had a weak 4.03 FIP in triple-A this season, so cash in on Garcia for some upside.
Honorable Mention: IF Justin Smoak, TOR ($7,500) vs BAL (Cashner)
Top Stack: Blue Jays vs Orioles (RHP Andrew Cashner)
There’s a slew of Jays bats that you can get for real cheap tonight. Cashner has a 4.80 FIP and will probably get rocked in a hitter-friendly park in Toronto. Justin Smoak ($7,500), Devon Travis ($6,300), and Randal Grichuk ($7,500).
Honorable Mention: Athletics vs Rangers (Colon)