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With all 30 teams playing on tonight’s slate, we’ve got tons of different lineups to make on FantasyDraft. Here are some of my favorite picks – and don’t worry, I will not be making any May the 4th jokes.
Must Play SP: Gerrit Cole, HOU ($23,700) at ARI
Cole is the most expensive pitcher on tonight’s slate, but he’s completely worth the price if you’re looking to build around an ace. He’s been basically untouchable this season, posting an absurd 39.4% K-rate with a 5.2% walk-rate and a 1.73 ERA. Chase Field has been very friendly to pitchers this season now that they’re using the humidor, and he should get a win against Kris Medlen. Cole is particularly valuable in cash formats, where you may want to avoid more volitaile starters, but I’d recommend playing him in any contest.
Honorable Mention: Jose Berrios, MIN ($18,500) at CHW
Value SP: Zack Wheeler, NYM ($13,700) vs COL
Wheeler has a solid 3.66 FIP in four outings this year and looked great in his last start, where he struck out nine batters in five innings. He gets a fantastic matchup on Friday at home against the Rockies, who are awful against righties. They have just a .285 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season, ranking them third-lowest in all of baseball. Wheeler is an outstanding value at this price.
Honorable Mention: Miles Mikolas, STL ($14,900) vs CHC
IF Cesar Hernandez, PHI ($7,700) vs WAS (LHP Gio Gonzalez)
Hernandez has quietly been destroying the ball for the Phillies this season, posting . Notably, he’s increased his walk rate all the way up to 17.3%. Hernandez has been better against left-handed pitching throughout his career, including an outstanding 181 wRC+ vs LHP this year, and is facing a lefty in Nats starter Gio Gonzalez on Friday. While Gonzalez is having a good season, Hernandez is still leading off in a great hitter’s park, which is always valuable in DFS. With how well Hernandez has hit lefties this year, he should give you strong production.
Honorable Mention: IF Rafael Devers, BOS ($8,400) at TEX (Colon)
OF Eddie Rosario, MIL ($7,700) at CHW (RHP Carson Fulmer)
Rosario has caught fire in the last week, hitting three homers with a 1.185 OPS. He’s finally looking like the hitter who swatted 27 bombs and batted .290 last season. He’s in a great spot batting fifth against Carson Fulmer, one of the worst pitchers on tonight’s slate. Fulmer has just a 15.8% K-rate with an 11.4% walk-rate, and has an awful 5.46 SIERA. Rosario’s price is only going to be rising as he continues to hit, so buy in now while you can.
Honorable Mention: OF Christian Yelich, MIL ($8,900) vs PIT (Kingham)
Value: IF Justin Bour, MIA ($6,800) at CIN (RHP Sal Romano)
It’s odd to see Bour at such a low price, as he continues to hit well this season. He’s got a .244/.346/.433 line this year, and his average is only going to go up, as he’s got just a .266 BABIP. Bour will have lots of opportunities for RBIs as he bats cleanup in Great American Ballpark, which is a hitter’s paradise. He’s got a good chance at a home run against Sal Romano, who has a 1.74 HR/9 in six starts, as well as a 12.4% K-rate that’s barely higher than his 10.2% walk-rate.
Honorable Mention: OF Aaron Hicks, NYY ($7,200) vs CLE (Tomlin)
Top Stack: Red Sox at Rangers (RHP Bartolo Colon)
Bartolo Colon has fallen back down to Earth after his insane start against the Astros, with just four strikeouts in his last 12 1/3 innings and a 4.97 ERA. He’s going to have a tough time against this loaded Red Sox lineup which includes stud hitters Mookie Betts ($10,700) and J.D. Martinez ($10,600). Cheaper bats to consider include Eduardo Nunez ($7,700) and Jackie Bradley Jr. ($7,500)
Honorable Mention: Yankees vs Indians (Tomlin)