This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
There's plenty of DFS action throughout the day on FanDuel with a three-game "very early" slate starting at 1:05 p.m. EDT. Then there's an "early only" slate at 3:05 p.m. EDT with another three games. Finally the main slate starts at the usual 7:05 p.m. EDT with nine games on tap.
Pitching
The obvious pitching option tonight will be the Nationals' Patrick Corbin ($9,800), who will take on the Marlins in Florida. Miami's 20.5 percent strikeout rate against left-handed pitching is actually one of the best marks in baseball; it's their .274 wOBA that makes them a team to target. That's the second-worst mark among all teams and it actually drops to .265 when at home. Corbin has over 50 fantasy points in six of his 15 starts this season, and there's a decent chance he turns in No. 7 here.
The other high-priced option to consider is the Tigers' Matthew Boyd ($9,400). The attraction with Boyd is mainly in his matchup with the Rangers, who have struggled against left-handed pitching this season. They've struck out 27.4 percent of the time against southpaws, the highest mark in the league. Meanwhile Boyd is working on a breakout season and has an elite 30.1 percent strikeout rate this season. This appears to be a case of the stars aligning for Boyd considering the matchup and breakout.
A cheaper option to use in GPPs is the Marlins' Zac Gallen ($7,800). He didn't disappoint in his first outing of the season, scoring 30 fantasy points. His numbers in the minors were excellent as he posted a 1.77 ERA supported by a 0.71 WHIP, and he struck out 112 batters in only 91.1 innings. Upon first glance one would think the Nationals are a bad matchup, but their 23.0 percent strikeout rate and .310 wOBA against right-handed pitching are both below league average.
Key Values/Chalk
The Phillies' Scott Kingery ($3,400) seems to still be under the radar despite raking this season. His wOBA against lefties is up to .435 in a small sample (44 PAs) and he could find himself hitting high in the order this game against Jason Vargas. Not surprisingly Vargas has struggled more against right-handed hitting during his career, allowing a .325 wOBA to that side of the plate.
Despite swinging a hot bat, it seems like the price for the Mariners' J.P. Crawford ($2,900) hasn't risen to a respectable level since his return from the IL. He's averaging over 10 fantasy points per game and has a decent matchup in Milwaukee. The Brewers will send Adrian Houser to the mound and it's likely he'll be on a pitch count, meaning the Mariners should get to the Brewers' second-tier bullpen arms quickly.
The Angels' Tommy La Stella ($3,000) is one of the better stories in baseball and he appears to thrive getting regular at-bats. He's crushing right-handed pitching this season with a .378 wOBA and will face righty Tanner Roark. Roark comes into the contest giving up a .375 wOBA to left-handed hitters this season.
Second base is an ugly spot to pick a player, so using the Astros' Jose Altuve ($3,800) seems like a logical choice even at his price. Altuve will get a good home matchup against rookie Dario Agrazal, who allowed two earned runs against the Marlins in four innings in his only other start this season. Altuve actually had a reverse split last season with a .374 wOBA against right-handed pitching.
The Brewers' Jesus Aguilar ($2,400) is a great value given he's shown signs of life at the plate as of late and had a lot of success against left-handed pitching last season with a .389 wOBA. He should find himself in the lineup against Wade LeBlanc, who has surrendered a .345 wOBA to right-handed hitters this season.
Stacks
Phillies vs. Mets (Vargas)
Kingery, Bryce Harper (OF - $4,100), Rhys Hoskins (C/1B - $4,300), Jean Segura (SS - $3,600)
This game has the biggest over/under total at 10.5 runs and Philadelphia is slightly favored, leaving them with one of the highest expected team totals. Segura has a .429 wOBA against lefties this season so he's in play in any type of contest. While the Phillies are favored it's not by much, meaning a Mets' stack could be a good contrarian play considering Nick Pivetta hasn't been very consistent.
Astros vs. Pirates (Agrazal)
Altuve, Michael Brantley (OF - $3,900), Josh Reddick (OF - $2,800), Alex Bregman (3B - $4,000)
As already stated, it's tough to see Agrazal lasting too long on the road facing this potent lineup. The Astros are in play on any night and they have the second-lowest strikeout rate (18.1 percent) and the ninth-best wOBA (.334) against right-handed pitching.
