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FantasyDraft is offering us two different slates today, with an early slate starting at 1pm eastern and a 7pm slate. This article will cover players on both slates, which cover all 30 teams.
Must Play SP: Jacob deGrom, NYM ($25,800) vs MIA
On a Wednesday with all 30 teams playing, it feels like there’s not a ton of pitching to choose from on either slate. That’s why I’m comfortable with paying up big for deGrom (or Verlander on the early slate) to lock in an ace and try to find some cheaper bats. deGrom has been absurdly dominant this season, especially in his last outing where he struck out 13 batters over seven scoreless innings. The Marlins are the second-worst lineup in baseball against righties according to their .279 wOBA against right-handed pitching. Look for another monster outing from deGrom.
Honorable Mention: Justin Verlander, HOU ($25,100) vs SF
Value SP: Erick Fedde, WAS ($12,800) vs SD
Fedde is making his first appearance of the year in a spot start against the Padres on Wednesday. Pretty much anybody who starts against the Padres can be considered in GPP contests, as their lineup is so bad that it’s tough for a pitcher to give you a poor outing against them. The Padres have just a .284 wOBA versus righties this year and a 26.4% K-rate, the second highest in the majors. Fedde also has the Nationals lineup to provide him with a win. I’d try to avoid Fedde in cash games, as he doesn’t have any track record of major league success, but the upside exists in GPPs.
Honorable Mention: Kenta Maeda, LAD ($18,900) vs COL
IF Yoan Moncada, CWS ($8,200) vs BAL (RHP Alex Cobb)
Moncada hasn’t done much since coming off of the disabled list, but his power/speed combo atop the White Sox lineup gives him a ton of potential every night. He’s got six homers and four steals despite missing some time to injury and has a great matchup against Alex Cobb. Cobb has a pathetic 11.3% K-rate, which means Moncada’s risk of striking out will be greatly reduced on Wednesday. Moncada will get plenty of plate appearances as Chicago’s leadoff hitter, which gives him lots of opportunities to produce.
Honorable Mention: IF Anthony Rendon, WAS ($7,300) vs SD (Ross)
OF Corey Dickerson, PIT ($7,200) at CIN (RHP Homer Bailey)
It’s like a holiday for a lineup when they get to face Homer Bailey, one of the worst regular starting pitchers in the game. Bailey has a 6.05 FIP and is pitching at home in one of the best offensive environments in the league. It’s tough to go wrong with any Pirates hitter today, but I like Dickerson in particular at this price. CDick has a strong .351 wOBA this year and is only striking out 10.7% of the time, a remarkable improvement from his career numbers.
Honorable Mention: OF Ronald Acuna, Jr., ATL ($7,200) vs PHI (Arrieta)
Value: Alex Bregman, HOU ($6,600) at SF (RHP Jeff Samardzija)
This price is a sick value for Bregman, who hasn’t even been bad this year, as he’s got a 124 wRC+ with a career-high 13.7% walk-rate, which is even higher than his 11.7% K-rate. Bregman’s got a .938 OPS in the last 15 days and is in a position to rack up runs and RBIs as the Astros two-hitter, batting between George Springer and Jose Altuve. Opposing starter Jeff Samardzija has been a train wreck this season, so pairing Bregman with a teammate or two would be an effective stack.
Honorable Mention: OF Eddie Rosario, MIN ($7,500) vs DET (Fulmer)
Top Stack: Braves at Phillies (RHP Jake Arrieta)
Phillies starter Jake Arrieta may seem like somebody you would want to avoid stacking against, but his peripherals show that there could be some regression headed his way. He’s got just a 15.6% K-rate and is getting by on a .246 BABIP and 5.6% HR/FB rate, two numbers that are likely to rise. Arrieta has a 4.36 Deserved Run Average and Citizens Bank Park won’t be doing him any favors on Wednesday, as it’s an extreme hitter’s park. Getting one of Ozzie Albies ($10,000) or Freddie Freeman ($10,100) is always a good move, and Ronald Acuna, Jr. is just way too cheap at $7,200.
Honorable Mention: Astros vs Giants (Samardzija)