Thursday’s main slate features two games starting at 4:07 pm ET. We will be using Bales Model and the extensive suite of tools at FantasyLabs to highlight some of the top options to consider.
Pitchers
With only two games, we have four starting pitchers to choose from. In order of projected points:
- Lance Lynn (19 projected points) (R)
- Lance McCullers (17.55) (R)
- Eduardo Rodriguez (15.71) (L)
- Shane McClanahan (15.29) (L)
Lance Lynn from the Chicago White Sox had a superb season with an ERA of 2.69, 1.07 WHIP, 11-6 record, and 176 strikeouts in 157 innings. Lynn has a tough task at hand tonight as he will be pitching against the Houston Astros, who led baseball in:
- Runs scored (863)
- Hits (1,496)
- Average (.267)
- On base percentage (.339)
The Astros won the series between the two teams 5-2 outscoring the White Sox 35-22. Lynn is priced much too high on FanDuel, but on DraftKings has a bargain rating of 99% (though all the pitchers are priced down on DK).
The highest rated pitcher in the Bales Model for DraftKings today is Lance McCullers from the Houston Astros. McCullers was on the mound for two outings this year against the White Sox in which he was very effective. In a combined 13 innings, McCullers allowed only four hits against, three earned runs, and struck out 14 batters.
Out of pitchers on the slate, McCullers had the highest K/9 this season (10.062). Not only is McCullers a consistent swing and miss pitcher, but the defense behind him is not too shabby, ranking third in defensive runs saved.
The pitcher projected for the lowest ownership on the slate is Eduardo Rodriguez from the Boston Red Sox. Although his 2021 season statistics are not impressive, Rodriguez is a reliable arm in the Red Sox rotation. In 157.2 innings, Rodriguez had an ERA of 4.74, 1.39 WHIP, and 185 strikeouts.
Rodriguez did not allow an earned run in each of his last two outings while striking out seven. Like Lynn, Rodriguez and the Red Sox are road underdogs. Rodriguez will be pitching against the Tampa Bay Rays who are projected for the highest implied runs total on the slate (4.4 runs).
Rounding out the list of starting pitchers to pick from, Shane McClanahan from the Tampa Bay Rays is the highest rated pitcher in the Bales Model for FanDuel. McClanahan does have some October experience from last season’s run but is set to make his first career postseason start tonight. The Red Sox are familiar foes to McClanahan. He has pitched against them three times this season. Although he allowed a total of five earned runs in those three starts, fours runs came in one game. Today, the visiting Red Sox are projected for the lowest implied runs total on the slate (3.7 runs).
Hitters
Notable Stack
Today’s top projected points stack comes to you from the -131 Houston Astros:
- Michael Brantley (L)
- Alex Bregman (R)
- Yordan Alverez (L)
- Yulieski Gurriel (R)
The Astros are projected for the second highest implied runs total on the slate today (4.3 runs). On FanDuel, this stack will cost you $11.9k in salary and are projected for a combined 45.2 fantasy points. The Astros led MLB in several statistical categories. It will be interesting to see if these impressive offensive numbers continue into the postseason.
Value
Finally, here is a handful of batters to consider while completing your lineups today that are projected for a high fantasy points/salary:
- Yandy Diaz ($3400)
- Nelson Cruz ($3900)
- Bobby Dalbec ($3300)
- Yoan Moncada ($3500)
- Tim Anderson ($5100)
