This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Thursday's featured MLB slate is a modest one, beginning at 7:10 PM Eastern time and consisting of six games. Below, you'll find which individual pitchers and hitters are primed to provide the best value, as well as the top lineup stacking options in this slate.
Pitching Overview
There are a number of vulnerable pitchers among the scheduled starters, as well as a clear top tier of three guys price-wise. Lucas Giolito and Masahiro Tanaka should have their hands full with the Twins and Red Sox, respectively, so Jose Berrios ($10,600) stands out as the guy to target if you're paying up for a pitcher. Berrios' 3.84 FIP is concerning, but he will face a bottom-five White Sox offense and brings a 2.96 ERA into this matchup.
Jose Suarez ($8,200) of the Angels is a high-risk, high-reward option at home against the Orioles. He's given up 20 runs and 10 homers in 32.2 major-league innings this season, but Suarez also has 37 strikeouts, so he could catch fire and deliver a gem against Baltimore's bottom-five offense.
A less risky value play on the mound is Cleveland's Adam Plutko ($6,700). Plutko is whiffing a paltry 15.7 percent of opposing batters, but he pitched seven innings of one-run ball against the Royals in his last start and draws Kansas City again here. He has held the opposition to two earned runs or fewer in six of nine appearances (eight starts).
Value Plays/Chalk
The Indians, Angels and Yankees are all set up for success offensively, but there's value to be found outside those three stackable lineups.
Mariners first baseman Daniel Vogelbach ($4,200) has a wOBA over .400 against righties, and the left-handed slugger has a pair of two-homer performances in the past week. Another power surge could be on tap against Tigers righty Drew VerHagen, who has allowed 10 earned runs in six innings of major-league action this season.
Rangers outfielder Hunter Pence ($4,800) has a .410 wOBA against lefties this season, and that number climbs to over .500 on the road. His success in that split should continue against Oakland's Brett Anderson, who will be coming off paternity leave.
Staying in Oakland, Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman ($4,800) has a .441 home wOBA this season, while Rangers starter Ariel Jurado has surrendered a .366 mark in righty-on-righty matchups this season.
Stacks
Indians vs. Mike Montgomery (Royals)
Jordan Luplow (OF - $4,200), Jose Ramirez (3B - $4,600), Carlos Santana (1B - $4,600)
Cleveland should give Plutko plenty of support against Montgomery, who has a 6.83 ERA and 6.40 FIP in 29 innings between the Cubs and Royals this season. Luplow occupies the cleanup spot against lefties and has a terrific .445 wOBA in that split. Ramirez has finally heated up after a slow start, batting over .300 and slugging over .600 in July. Santana's a proficient switch-hitter who boasts a wOBA over .370 from both sides.
Angels vs. Tom Eshelman (Orioles)
Shohei Ohtani (OF - $4,900), Mike Trout (OF - $5,700), David Fletcher (3B/OF - $4,000)
Eshelman has struggled through three major-league starts, allowing 15 runs (11 earned) in 14.1 innings. Los Angeles' top hitters are primed to add to the rookie righty's struggles. Ohtani has a .377 wOBA against righties, which grows to .457 at home. Trout is a top-three hitter in baseball year in and year out, so he's worth paying up for in favorable matchups like this one. Fletcher can be deployed at third base or in the outfield, and the Angels' leadoff man has a .374 wOBA in righty-on-righty matchups at home.
Yankees vs. Rick Porcello (Red Sox)
Didi Gregorius (SS - $4,900), Gleyber Torres (2B/SS - $4,700), Austin Romine (C - $3,300)
Porcello has a 10.57 ERA over his past five starts, including an outing against the Yankees in London during which he surrendered six earned runs while recording only one out. Bouncing back will be difficult against New York's top-ranked offense. Gregorius' road wOBA against righties is nearly .500, and he comes in hot as can be after compiling eight hits and 10 RBI in his last two games. Torres' road wOBA in righty-on-righty matchups is almost .400, and Romine can help you fill the light-hitting catcher position for cheap. Whichever one of Romine or Kyle Higashioka ($3,200) starts this one with Gary Sanchez (groin) on the injured list should get some opportunities to pick up RBI or runs despite batting near the bottom of this potent lineup.
