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We’ve got two slates tonight on FantasyDraft – a 7pm eastern start, which covers all nine matchups, as well as a 9:40 start for the five late games.
Must Play SP: Kenta Maeda, LAD ($19,500) vs MIL
Maeda has a ton of upside for this start against the Brewers. He’s got a dominant 29.4% K-rate this season with a 2.94 FIP, so it’s surprising to see that his price isn’t higher. While the Brewers are a pretty good lineup, they’re away from their hitter-friendly park in Milwaukee, so Maeda can handle them. The real upside comes in their 25.1% K-rate versus righties, which is fifth-highest in the league. Maeda should be used in GPP contests for his K potential.
Honorable Mention: James Paxton, SEA ($18,800) vs HOU
Value SP: Robbie Ray, ARI ($15,200) vs TEX
Ray is a riskier but even higher upside play than Maeda, and you can get him for even cheaper. Ray was back to his dominant form last time out against the Cubs, where he struck out seven in six innings with just one earned run allowed. If he can take on a tough Cubs lineup that well, he can also perform against the Rangers at home in pitcher-friendly Chase Field. The Rangers also have a high strikeout rate at 23.3%, while Ray himself is rocking a 30.8% K-rate.
Honorable Mention: Carlos Martinez, STL ($15,300) vs COL
IF Justin Bour, MIA ($7,700) at ATL (RHP Julio Teheran)
Teheran is always a great pitcher to target, particularly when he’s at home in a fantastic offensive environment in Atlanta. Teheran has a 5.27 FIP with a 1.64 HR/9 and just gave up seven earned runs to the Marlins his last time out. I expect another strong showing from Miami, so Bour should be able to rack up some RBIs out of the cleanup spot. Bour still has a strong 122 wRC+ against righties, and he has good odds to go deep off of Teheran.
Honorable Mention: IF Evan Longoria, SF ($7,700) at SD (Lauer)
OF Melky Cabrera, CLE ($7,700) at MIN (RHP Ervin Santana)
Melky has been quietly mashing right-handed pitching over the last month, batting .407 with a 1.021 OPS. He’s batting sixth in a stacked Indians lineup, where he can drive in runs against Santana. Santana gave up three earned through five innings in his first start of the year, and while his results were good last year, he greatly outperformed his 4.46 FIP. If you can afford an entire Indians stack, go for it – otherwise, look for Melky as a standalone.
Honorable Mention: OF Steven Souza, Jr., ARI ($8,400) vs TEX (Perez)
Value: OF Teoscar Hernandez, TOR ($7,200) at OAK (RHP Edwin Jackson)
Jackson is another starter to target tonight, as he’s got just a 19.0% K-rate and a 5.57 Deserved Run Average. Hernandez has been cold lately, but that only drives his price down and makes him a buy low. He’s still got lots of power upside which makes him attractive in GPP contests.
Honorable Mention: OF Ender Inciarte, ATL ($7,700) vs MIA (Chen)
Top Stack: Athletics vs Blue Jays (RHP Marco Estrada)
The A’s lineup has been on fire lately, and that shouldn’t stop against Estrada, who has a 4.72 ERA this year. It’s surprising that Stephen Piscotty ($7,800) isn’t more expensive, while Marcus Semien ($7,600) and Matt Olson ($7,600) are also outstanding values. Anybody in the Oakland lineup is worth a look.
Honorable Mention: Braves vs Marlins (Chen)