Pitcher List is excited to be partnering with FantasyDraft, featuring advice articles every morning through the entirety of the 2018 season. Signup and play for free at FantasyDraft.
We’ve got three FantasyDraft slates tonight – the main slate starts at 7:05 pm eastern and covers 14 games, and there are 8:05 and 10:05 starts as well. The early Mets-Phillies matchup is not included on any slate.
Must Play SP: Carlos Carrasco, CLE ($21,600) vs BAL
Carrasco is on an absolute tear right now, as he’s got 43 strikeouts in his last 33 2/3 innings with a 1.60 ERA. He’s now got a stellar 3.14 FIP on the year with a 28.1% K-rate and should have another dominant outing against the Orioles. Baltimore has just a .310 wOBA versus righties this year, and they’ll be away from their hitter-friendly ballpark tonight. The Indians should easily get Carrasco the win against David Hess.
Honorable Mention: Max Scherzer, WAS ($24,700) vs MIA
Value SP: Robbie Ray, ARI ($14,600) at SD
With a dominant 30.7% K-rate, Robbie Ray has a ton of upside tonight against the Padres. San Diego has a 24.0% K-rate against lefties, the third-highest mark in the league, so Ray can put up some monster strikeout numbers. While his performance has been spotty, Ray’s 3.58 Deserved Run Average suggests that he’s been better than his ERA. Plus, the Padres have just a .303 wOBA against southpaws, so they shouldn’t hit him very hard anyways. Ray comes at a fantastic value in one of the best pitcher’s parks in the league.
Honorable Mention: Kyle Gibson, MIN ($16,100) vs DET
IF C.J. Cron, TB ($7,600) at BOS (LHP Brian Johnson)
Cron has hit lefties very well this season, to the tune of a 121 wRC+. He’ll be batting cleanup for the Rays, a spot where he can rack up lots of RBIs in an extreme hitter’s park in Boston. Brian Johnson has a 1.55 HR/9 at home this year, so I like Cron’s odds to go deep. He should have a productive day regardless, as Johnson has a 4.23 FIP, so Cron can take advantage of a weak lefty.
Honorable Mention: IF Jose Abreu, CWS ($8,000) vs KC (Junis)
OF Andrew McCutchen, PIT ($8,400) at CIN (RHP Anthony DeSclafani)
McCutchen has lots of value as the Giants leadoff hitter against DeSclafani, who has an awful 5.17 FIP this year. Cutch will maximize his plate appearances in a hitter-friendly park in Cincinnati and will get the opportunity to score some runs atop the Giants lineup. He’s been struggling lately, but this is a great spot to buy low on McCutchen.
Honorable Mention: IF/OF Whit Merrifield, KC ($7,700) at CWS (Shields)
Value: IF Salvador Perez, KC ($7,600) at CWS (RHP James Shields)
It’s rare that I recommend playing a catcher in your lineups, but Perez can give you big returns at this price. He went deep twice on Wednesday and now has 21 homers on the year, so he’s got legitimate power upside. Perez is facing a terrible pitcher in James Shields, owner of a 4.75 FIP, and Perez will be batting third against him.
Honorable Mention: IF Matt Duffy, TB ($7,300) at BOS (Johnson)
Top Stack: Angels at Rangers (RHP Drew Hutchison)
Drew Hutchison should not be starting a major league game right now, as his walk rate (14.8%) is nearly as high as his K-rate (15.6%). Hutchison’s 6.07 ERA is somehow lower than his 6.93 FIP, and he will have to face the Angels in a very hitter-friendly park. Kole Calhoun ($8,400) and Shohei Ohtani ($7,600) are outstanding values, while Justin Upton ($9,600) is worth paying up for.
Honorable Mention: Indians vs Orioles (Hess)