This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
There's a nice four game early-only slate Wednesday kicking off at 1:10 p.m. EDT. Hopefully the Yankees and Orioles don't get rained out again. The main slate of games starts at the usual 7:05 p.m. EDT and features eight games with some good pitching matchups.
Pitching
The first pitcher to consider for cash games is Justin Verlander ($12,000) despite the huge price tag on him. He has at least 52 fantasy points in four of his last six starts and his other two games were 34 and 40 fantasy points. It's a prime matchup for Verlander, as the Tigers have the fourth-worst wOBA against right handed pitching (.284) and strike out at the seventh-highest rate (25.7 percent). Also, if you believe in the "revenge factor", Verlander might be more motivated playing again in Detroit.
Kenta Maeda ($8,300) is the best mid-priced option to use and he's a viable option in cash as well considering the savings from the upper tier of pitchers. He's pitched extremely well at home in a small sample, scoring 46, 42, 42 and 39 fantasy points in his four starts at Dodger Stadium. Since 2017, Maeda has been significantly better at home (3.12 ERA) than on the road (4.93) with an elite 10.0 K/9 mark. The Padres have the eighth-lowest wOBA (.297) against right-handed pitching and strike out at the second-highest rate (26.7 percent).
German Marquez ($8,700) is a great contrarian play for GPPs given his matchup with the Red Sox. Boston's bats have come alive as of late so most will pass on taking a shot with Marquez. Since the start of the 2018 season Marquez has had great numbers away from Coors with a 2.65 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and a 9.9 K/9 strikeout rate.
Key Values/Chalk
For the believers in BvP, tonight Michael Conforto ($3,700) is the guy to consider in GPPs. He's absolutely killed Patrick Corbin despite the lefty-on-lefty matchup, going 6-for-14 with four home runs and a double. Conforto has a .931 OPS this season and his approach at the plate has greatly improved as evidenced by his 36:29 K:BB rate. Again, only consider him for tournaments and go a safer route in cash games.
Nicky Lopez ($2,400) immediately was put in the second spot of the lineup Tuesday after being called up from Triple-A Omaha, where he had a .957 OPS. He's not an elite prospect, but he's put up numbers in the minors and has the speed to add to his fantasy value. He has a solid batting eye with a 5:20 K:BB rate at Triple-A this season and should continue to hit towards the top of the Royals' order.
It's hard to ignore Justin Turner ($3,400) whenever he's facing a lefty and that'll be the case tonight with Matt Strahm on the mound. Turner had a .433 wOBA against southpaws last season and has heated up with five home runs in his last five games. Strahm has pitched well this season, but everyone has an off day and the Dodgers have the ninth-best wOBA (.299) against left-handed pitching.
There seems to be a callup theme here so let's continue with Keston Hiura ($2,400). He'll take over second base duties with Mike Moustakas moving to third and Travis Shaw going on the IL. Hiura had a 1.106 OPS at Triple-A this season (11 home runs) and has some speed, swiping 15 bases last season over two levels in the minors. Jake Arrieta (3.78 ERA) isn't the greatest matchup but also isn't the worst at this point of his career.
It's a little tricky to find value at first base, but Ji-Man Choi ($2,800) fits the definition of a good value play. He's averaging just under 10 fantasy points per game this season and the matchup with Jose Urena is a good one. Choi has a .359 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season while Urena is allowing a .353 wOBA to left-handed hitters this season.
Stacks
Houston Astros vs. Gregory Soto (Tigers)
Alex Bregman (3B - $4,400), Carlos Correa (SS - $3,900), Michael Brantley (OF - $4,100), George Springer (OF - $4,600)
Soto, who gave up seven runs in four innings in his big-league debut, will be called back up from Double-A to make this start for Detroit. The Astros have been on fire with the bats as of late with 11, eight, 15 and 11 runs in their last four games. While this will be an obvious stack, using guys like Josh Reddick (OF - $2,700), Tyler White (C/1B - $2,300) or Tony Kemp (OF - $2,100) in place of those mentioned if they're in the lineup could be a winning combination. If the cap space allows, definitely use anyone from their lineup in cash as well.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Gio Gonzalez (Brewers)
Andrew McCutchen (OF - $3,700), Bryce Harper (OF - $4,100), Rhys Hoskins (C/1B - $4,400), Jean Segura (SS - $3,700)
Does anyone think Gonzalez (who struggled to find a big-league job in the spring) will come close to keeping his 1.69 ERA? There's a lot of correction coming soon and it will likely start against the Phillies. His success over his first three starts might have owners looking to stack elsewhere, so this is a good opportunity. Maikel Franco (3B - $2,800) and J.T. Realmuto (C/1B - $3,400) are other options to consider, but their numbers against lefties haven't been good.
