Thursday’s main slate features five games starting at 7:05 pm ET. We will be using the Bales Model to break down the slate.
Pitchers
The four pitchers projected to score the most fantasy points today are:
- Freddy Peralta (R)
- Joe Musgrove (R)
- Frankie Montas (R)
- Eduardo Rodriguez (L)
The highest-priced pitcher on both DraftKings and FanDuel tonight is Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers. In 102 innings, Peralta has a 7-3 record, 2.29 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 140 strikeouts. Although he only lasted four innings in his last start, he allowed only one hit while striking out five. Today, Peralta will have a favorable matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have lost seven of their last 10 games and are projected for the second-lowest implied runs total on the slate (3.4 runs). Due to extremely high projected ownership, Peralta is mainly a Cash play tonight, however, is such a strong option that he should be used in GPP as well.
The highest-rated pitcher on Bales Model for both DraftKings and FanDuel today is Joe Musgrove of the San Diego Padres. Musgrove tossed a quality start last time out in which he allowed six hits over six innings and struck out four. Although he has been in a slump lately, last start Musgrove was able to get his first win in July. He will be on the mound against the Colorado Rockies, who have an 11-38 record when playing away from home. Another reason to back Musgrove is that the Rockies have are projected for the lowest implied runs total on the slate (3.3 runs).
A pitcher who has earned three consecutive quality starts on the mound is Frankie Montas of the Oakland Athletics. Although Montas has an 8-8 record and 4.34 ERA, he has pitched well lately. Tonight, he will face the Los Angeles Angels in a tough matchup. The Angles have the third-best team batting average (.257) in MLB through 101 games.
Eduardo Rodriguez is projected for a high sum of fantasy points today, however, is not highly rated on Bales Model. A concern in the Toronto Blue Jays/Boston Red Sox game today is the weather. Current projections read that there is a 58% change of precipitation along with 87% humidity. Double check weather forecasts closer to the start of this game as there may be delay.
Value
If you are looking to save on salary to load up your lineup with strong batters, you have reached the right spot.
Dylan Bundy of the Los Angeles Angels is projected for the highest points/salary on Bales Model for FanDuel. Although he was recently moved to the bullpen due to some poor performances, Bundy will get the nod today against the Oakland Athletics. Hoping to prove himself and regain his manager’s trust, Bundy will look to lower his 6.69 ERA.
Hitters
Notable Stack
Today’s top projected points stack comes to you from the -264 San Diego Padres:
- Adam Frazier (L)
- Fernando Tatis Jr. (R)
- Jake Cronenworth (L)
- Manny Machado (R)
The Padres are projected for the second-highest implied runs total on the slate against the Rockies. We have already touched on the Rockies road woes, but I would like to highlight the Padres’ batters newfound patience at the plate. Since 2017, the Padres have moved up every year in the team walks category. Through 104 games played this season, the Padres rank third in MLB with 400 walks. Although walks are not worth many fantasy points, they do add up when the batters drive those runs in. On FanDuel, this stack will cost you $14.2K in salary and is projected for a combined 50 fantasy points.
Other Hitters
The highest-rated floor play on Bales Model for both DraftKings and FanDuel is Xander Bogaerts of the Boston Red Sox. Since the All-Star break, Bogaerts has been quiet at the plate. He is absolutely due for a breakout game against the Toronto Blue Jays today, but keep in mind possible weather concerns.
A highly rated batter on Bales Model for tonight’s main slate is Kolten Wong of the Milwaukee Brewers. Wong is currently on a nine-game hitting streak in which he has also crossed the plate nine times. Wong is the projected leadoff batter for the Brewers, who are projected for an implied runs total of 4.7 today.
Value
Last but certainly not least, here is a handful of batters to consider while completing your lineups today who are projected for a high fantasy points/salary:
- Rowdy Tellez
- Austin Nola
- Derek Hill
- Jed Lowrie
- Bobby Dalbec
Photo Credit: John Fisher/Getty Images
Pictured: Freddy Peralta
