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There are two slates on FantasyDraft tonight – the main slate starts at 7:05 pm eastern and covers 14 games, while the late slate starts at 9:40 pm. The early matchup in the Braves-Nats doubleheader and the 3pm Giants-Astros games are not included on any slate.
Must Play SP: Andrew Heaney, LAA ($17,300) vs DET
Heaney might not be an ace like some other starters going today, but he’s still a strong pitcher with a great matchup at a low price. Heaney has a 3.51 ERA in the last month, and he’s taken down some tough lineups like the Astros and Dodgers in that span. He should have no issues with the atrocious Tigers offense. Heaney can be afforded in all contests and should go deep into this game, as he’s gone six or more innings in each of his last six starts.
Honorable Mention: Zack Greinke, ARI ($19,400) vs PHI
Value SP: Tyler Glasnow, TB ($14,000) vs BAL
By this point, Glasnow should be stretched out to give you five or six innings, and that’s all you’ll need in this matchup with the Orioles. Baltimore has just a .303 wOBA versus righties, and Glasnow will be facing them in pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field. Glasnow may have been revitalized with the move to Tampa Bay, as in his first start he struck out five in three innings with just one walk, throwing 70% of his pitches for strikes. Of course, there’s still the risk that Glasnow blows up in your face, but there’s still real potential here. I’m snagging him in GPP contests at his low price.
Honorable Mention: Miles Mikolas, STL ($18,100) at MIA
IF/OF Dee Gordon, SEA ($8,400) at TEX (RHP Bartolo Colon)
Any time Bartolo Colon is on the mound, it’s a great opportunity to stack hitters against him. Colon has an awful 5.18 ERA and will be facing the Mariners at home in a hitter-friendly venue in Arlington. You might not be able to afford an entire Mariners stack, but you can definitely still grab Gordon as a standalone. Gordon will maximize his plate appearances against Colon as the Mariners leadoff hitter, so he will have many opportunities to produce. Gordon should score some runs and give you a shot at some steals as well.
Honorable Mention: IF Anthony Rendon, WAS ($8,400) vs ATL (Newcomb)
IF/OF Kyle Schwarber, CHC ($8,400) at KC (RHP Brad Keller)
I’m not a believer in the success that Royals starter Brad Keller has had this year – he’s still got just a 15.7% K-rate and is rocking a 5.67 Deserved Run Average. The Cubs lineup should have a big day against him, so Schwarber will be in line for lots of RBIs out of the five spot. Schwarber has a fantastic 133 wRC+ against righties, and is a great play in GPP contests for his power upside.
Honorable Mention: OF Justin Upton, LAA ($8,200) vs DET (Turner)
Value: OF Matt Kemp, LAD ($6,900) at OAK (LHP Sean Manaea)
I understand that Kemp has been bad lately, but his price has fallen way too low for the type of season he’s had. Kemp has obliterated left-handed pitching this year to the tune of a 147 wRC+ and is still batting in the middle of a loaded Dodgers lineup. Manaea 4.24 FIP and a 17.2% K-rate, so he’s not as good as his ERA would suggest. It’s tough to stay off of Kemp at this price.
Honorable Mention: OF Hunter Renfroe, SD ($7,500) at MIL (Anderson)
Top Stack: Rangers vs Mariners (RHP Felix Hernandez)
There are lots of affordable bats available against Felix Hernandez, who has a 5.49 ERA this year. Elvis Andrus ($8,100) and Adrian Beltre ($7,300) are great values, while Rougned Odor ($10,300) and Shin-Soo Choo ($9,100) are elite bats to consider.
Honorable Mention: Mariners at Rangers (Colon)