Tuesday brings us a 14-game main slate on FanDuel and a 15-game main slate on DraftKings, both starting at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Pitchers
It looks like it may be worth paying up for Max Scherzer tonight. He is the second-highest rated pitcher for both sites.
Scherzer looked strong in his first start with the Los Angeles Dodgers last week. He went seven innings, giving up two earned runs with 10 strikeouts against the Houston Astros. That was his highest strikeout performance since May 30th.
Tonight, he faces the Philadelphia Phillies in their home ballpark. The Phillies are coming off of an emotional series this past weekend against their divisional rival, the New York Mets.
Scherzer has seen this lineup three times this season and never turned in a bad outing. He has a combined 18 2/3 innings, giving up three earned runs, with 22 strikeouts.
It may be tough to pay up for Scherzer with lineup construction, but it feels like a safe play tonight.
The actual favorite on the Bales Model I do not love as much and that is Carlos Carrasco. I think he is still in an avoid category for me due to his pitch count. He has come back from injury and made two starts this season with 58 pitches in the first and 62 in the second.
I am not saying that I think Carrasco is a bad pitcher. He is very much in the consideration set hopefully in a few more starts. The Mets just seem to be so cautious with him and he is going to have a hard time providing value. He has yet to complete five innings to even possibly receive a win. I’m looking elsewhere tonight.
In the ratings, there is a bit of a drop off after these two. I think I could get behind playing Jake Odorizzi, though.
We pretty much know who Odorizzi is at this point in his career. He is not going to be a high-strikeout guy and at times can get hit around (just gave up four home runs to the Dodgers).
He gets the Colorado Rockies in his home ballpark tonight. It has been well covered by now, but the Rockies have been dismal on the road this year. There could be something to be said about their first game of a road trip after being in Coors Field, too.
This is great bounce-back spot for Odorizzi at a cheap price. He has had a few games this year where he can put up some strikeouts with four 6+ strikeout outings. The Rockies are relatively decent at avoiding strikeouts, but should not hit Odorizzi too hard regardless.
It does not hurt that the Astros are -177 favorites, with Odorizzi hitting for six ProTrends.
Alex Wood is another name to consider. He faces the Arizona Diamondbacks in a rematch from his last start. Wood did not have one of his better outings, completing only five innings while giving up four earned runs with five strikeouts.
His other two outings against the D’backs this year have been more successful and both resulted in wins. They did not trade many players away at the trade deadline, but have been one of the most listless teams of the entire season.
Wood gets the advantage of returning home for this game and the D’backs have the third-lowest implied run total at 3.3 runs tonight.
This looks like another bounce-back spot for a decent pitcher on a strong team. It does not hurt that the San Francisco Giants are -225 favorites in this one.
After that, I think it gets really tough. Maybe you consider Logan Gilbert going up against the Texas Rangers. By the looks of it, the Rangers just want the season to end, so that may be a reason to consider any starter going against them.
I like Gilbert’s strikeout stuff, but he will need time to mature into an above-average starter. In two starts against these Rangers, he has been just OK, giving up six earned runs with 12 strikeouts.
Hitters
Notable Stack
The best stack of the night is the New York Yankees:
- 5. D.J LeMahieu (R)
- 2. Giancarlo Stanton (R)
- 4. Joey Gallo (L)
- 3. Aaron Judge (R)
This group is projected for 50.9 FanDuel points on a salary of $15,300. This is more about the matchup than anything. The Yankees get to see Daniel Lynch, a young left-hander. The Yankees are third in wOBA against left-handers this year with their heavy right-handed lineup. Gallo has already shown since joining the Yankees that he is not afraid of lefties either. Lynch has pitched well in his second call-up this year, but had a 15.75 ERA in his first stint. Being a low strikeout guy will not help him here with the wind blowing out at Kauffman Stadium.
Other Hitters
Tim Anderson may have found something in the cage this weekend. Jessica Mendoza on ESPN referenced that Anderson had been trying to “find his swing” this weekend before Sunday’s game. He has only gone 6-for-10 with a double and two home runs since. The Bales Model has him as a 99% bargain, too.
Trea Turner is an interesting option tonight. He is going to only further boost the Dodgers’ offense, and Aaron Nola does not seem to be the same pitcher he once was. When Turner gets on, there is going to be a high chance that he comes around to score. In two starts, he has three runs scored for the Dodgers.
Of all the names, Ramon Urias features prominently on the Lineup Optimizer. Urias should slot in toward the top of the lineup for the Baltimore Orioles against Casey Mize. With this game being played in Camden Yards, there could be the opportunity for some offensive fireworks. Urias comes into this one with a six-game hitting streak and a hit in eight of his last nine. Since April, he is hitting .320 (41-138).
Photo Credit: Norm Hall/Getty Images
Pictured: Max Scherzer
