Thursday’s main Major League Baseball slate features nine games, starting at 7:05 pm E.T. We will be using Bales Model to highlight some of the top options to consider.
Pitchers
The four pitchers projected to score the most fantasy points are:
Max Scherzer (R)
Yu Darvish (R)
Chris Sale (L)
Yusei Kikuchi (L)
The highest-rated pitcher on Bales Model for DraftKings is Max Scherzer from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since the trade from the Washington Nations, Scherzer has been as good as advertised. In 21.1 innings on the mound, he has allowed 17 hits against, five earned runs and struck out 31 batters. Although Scherzer’s K/9 of 11.622 is elite, it’s actually the second highest on the slate. He will be pitching against the San Diego Padres, with the teams coming off a 16-inning battle in Wednesday’s matchup. With many bullpen pitchers used, the Dodgers will be relying on a strong outing from Scherzer. The Padres are projected for the lowest implied-runs total (3.5 runs) on the slate.
The pitcher opposing Scherzer, who is coming off a stint on the 10-day injured list, is Yu Darvish. Through 131.1 innings, Darvish has a 3.70 ERA, 158 strikeouts and 1.03 WHIP. Although these stats are solid, he hasn’t collected a win since June 2. If you are wondering who that start was against, you guessed correctly it you said the Dodgers. In that game, he reached double-digit strikeouts and only walked one batter. Darvish isn’t highly rated on Bales Model due to the tough task at hand. However, this might be a great opportunity to roster an elite pitcher at low ownership.
A pitcher that has only made two starts this season, but has been very efficient in those outings is Chris Sale from the Boston Red Sox. In exactly 10 innings, Sale has struck out 13, walked only one and allowed just two earned runs. Although his elbow kept him off the diamond for quite some time, Sale is pitching in mid-season and hopeful to help the Red Sox in a playoff run. Boston is the largest favorite on the slate (-271), as they take on the Minnesota Twins. The Twins have one of the lowest projected implied runs totals at 3.8 runs.
The highest-rated pitcher on Bales Model for FanDuel is Yusei Kikuchi of the Seattle Mariners. Kikuchi is hoping for a bounce-back performance, as he was rocked on the mound last start. In 2.2 innings, he allowed seven hits and seven earned runs, including three home runs. This was also the first time all season that Kikuchi allowed more walks than strikeouts in a start. The Mariners are facing the Kansas City Royals, who have the lowest projected implied runs total on the slate at 3.5 runs. Due to his poor performance last time, you can choose Kikuchi at a discounted price and moderately low projected ownership.
Value
Carlos Carrasco from the New York Mets is a pitcher worth strong consideration, as he will be on the hill against the surging San Francisco Giants. Due to injury, Carrasco has only made five starts this campaign and they haven’t been pretty. In 16.1 innings, Carrasco has a 8.82 ERA, 0-2 record, 18 strikeouts and 1.65 WHIP. Looking to get back on track, he will face the NL West leaders who are projected for an implied runs total of 4.4 runs. One reason Carrasco is considered a strong value pitcher is teams sometimes struggle when traveling from one side of the U.S. to the other. The Giants are trying to accomplish an impressive three-game sweep before heading south to Atlanta.
Hitters
Notable Stack
Today’s top projected points stack comes to you from the Boston Red Sox (-271):
- Kyle Schwarber (L)
- Xander Bogaerts (R)
- Rafael Devers (L)
- D. Martinez (R)
The Red Sox are projected for the highest implied-runs total (6.4 runs) on the slate. After a 9-6 loss on Wednesday, Boston will look to bounce back with its ace on the mound. In their last three games, the Red Sox have scored a combined 25 runs and are closing out a six-game home stand. The Twins will have pitcher John Gant on the hill. Gant has been less than impressive this season. In 88.1 innings, he has allowed 59 walks compared to 73 strikeouts. If the Red Sox are able to show plate discipline, they will be set for another big offensive output. On FanDuel, this stack will cost you $15,300 in salary and projected for a combined 50 fantasy points.
Other Hitters
The highest-rated batter on Bales Model for both DraftKings and FanDuel is Myles Straw from the Cleveland Indians. Straw has collected a hit in nine of his last 11 games including four multi-hit games. Straw is the projected leadoff man for the Indians, who have the highest team value rating (90) on the slate.
Value
Finally, here is a handful of batters to consider while completing your lineups that are projected for a high fantasy points/salary:
- Ben Gamel
- Nate Lowe
- Owen Miller
- Austin Hedges
- Lewis Brinson
