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We’ve got three slates on FantasyDraft tonight, with the main slate starting at 7:05pm eastern and covering all 15 games. The two late slates begin at 8:05pm and 9:40pm.
Must Play SP: Rich Hill, LAD ($19,800) vs NYM
With 32 strikeouts in his last 28 1/3 innings, Hill now has a 26.2% K-rate on the year and has a ton of upside for this start. The Mets are the worst lineup in all of baseball against lefties with their minuscule .283 wOBA, and they’ve got the second-highest K-rate at 24.6%. “D. Mountain” should have no problems in dealing with the Mets and can rack up lots of strikeouts against them. He should be considered in all contests at this price.
Honorable Mention: Justin Verlander, HOU ($24,100) vs MIN
Value SP: Jake Arrieta, PHI ($14,800) at MIA
There are some important things to point out about Arrieta – he’s been outperforming his advanced metrics all year, so his ERA is probably lower than it should be, and he’s got just a 17.9% K-rate. However, Arrieta should still easily be able to give you a quality performance against the Marlins. Miami has just a .293 wOBA versus right-handed pitching and play in an extreme pitcher’s park. Arrieta is an option in cash games for his high floor at a low price.
Honorable Mention: Robbie Ray, ARI ($17,200) vs SD
IF Tim Anderson, CWS ($8,000) vs DET (LHP Francisco Liriano)
Anderson will be batting leadoff for the White Sox as they face a lefty, which puts him in an awesome position for fantasy points. With 18 homers and 25 steals this year, Anderson can put up impressive numbers on any given night. Francisco Liriano has an abysmal 5.77 FIP this year, so odds are that Anderson will be able to score some runs and perform well.
Honorable Mention: IF Evan Longoria, SF ($8,100) at COL (Marquez)
OF Andrew McCutchen, NYY ($8,300) at OAK (RHP Liam Hendriks)
McCutchen is another leadoff hitter to take advantage of. I like him in this spot against a “bullpen day” from the A’s, meaning that he will likely face some of the weaker pitchers on Oakland’s staff. Cutch will maximize his plate appearances in one of the best lineups in baseball, where he can get on base and score.
Honorable Mention: OF Roman Quinn, PHI ($8,400) at MIA (Richards)
Value: OF Marcell Ozuna, STL ($7,200) at WAS (RHP Erick Fedde)
Ozuna is an under-the-radar power upside play that you can get for real cheap. Erick Fedde has a 1.61 HR/9 this year with a 5.79 ERA. That means Ozuna has a good chance at taking him deep, or should at least get some RBIs out of the Cardinals cleanup spot. He’s an option for GPP contests.
Honorable Mention: IF/OF Dee Gordon, SEA ($7,500) vs BAL (Cobb)
Top Stack: Nationals vs Cardinals (RHP John Gant)
Gant might not be an awful pitcher, but his 4.62 SIERA suggests that he’s gotten quite lucky. There are some Nationals hitters that are way too cheap against him, such as Bryce Harper ($8,900) and Anthony Rendon ($8,300). If he’s starting tonight, consider Victor Robles at just ($5,500).
Honorable Mention: Yankees at Athletics (Hendriks)