With all 30 MLB teams in action today, the options are endless. Picking the winning combination is often difficult, but BetsToday is here to help you decipher the chaos. We like to start by looking at pitching and getting a broader view of what the slate looks like. Analyzing pitching matchups is a critical part of choosing which batters to start or sit. Let’s jump in and figure this out.
Must Start Pitchers
Spencer Strider – Braves ($12,200 DK, $11,500 FD)
Spencer Strider has been lights out for the Atlanta Braves on the mound this year. He is 4-1 with an ERA of 2.51. Strider is averaging 30.98 fantasy points over his last five appearances and has 52 strikeouts over that span. The New York Mets’ offense is ranked 19th and has struggled against better pitchers. Strider is on the pricey side but is well worth it, considering how hot he has been on the mound. We project Strider to put up over 20 points today.
Yu Darvish – Padres ($10,200 DK, $10,400 FD)
Yu Darvish is 2-2 this year with an ERA of 3.16. He is averaging 19.2 fantasy points per game. But in his last five starts for the San Diego Padres, Darvish is averaging 23.76 points. The Kansas City Royals have not been that good this year, and while they have been playing better as of late, Darvish will silence their bats today. Like Strider, he is on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for. We see Darvish scoring 17-22 points today.
Sleeper Pitcher of the Day: Ryne Nelson – Diamondbacks ($6,800 DK & FD)
Ryne Nelson has struggled this year, but the Oakland Athletics is a terrible team, and he should have a good day on the mound. This is one of those picks that most people won’t use, but for $6,800, if he gets you 10 to 12 fantasy points, it was well worth it. The Athletics offense is ranked 26th, and their team batting average is a meager .230. We like Ryne Nelson today against a struggling Oakland lineup and project Nelson to put up 15-18 fantasy points today.
Must Start Hitters
We have our pitchers, and now we look at picking our batters. I like to pick the hot hand regardless of their price first. Then I look for favorable matchups at the other positions. I have learned that you never take a batter that is facing one of your pitchers. Stacking is one of the best ways to maximize your lineup. Whether it be 4-3, 3-2, or 5-1: stacks work. Let’s get to it and pick some hitters.
Ronald Acuna Jr. – Braves ($6,200 DK, $4,600 FD)
Ronald Acuna Jr. has been on an absolute tear lately and should be in your lineup today. He is batting .348 with ten home runs and 26 RBIs. Acuna Jr. is averaging 12.7 points per game this year. Over his past four games, he is averaging 17.75 points per game. He faces the Texas Rangers again today, and in their first two games, he put up a combined 35 points. We project Acuna Jr. to score double-digit points again today.
William Contreras – Brewers ($3,700 DK, $2,900 FD)
William Contreras is more of a value play. He is batting .256 with three home runs and 11 RBIs. Contreras is averaging 6.4 fantasy points per game this year. He faces Matthew Liberatore today, who is making his season debut and is liable to be a little rusty. We see Contreras putting up over seven points today.
Michael Harris II – Braves ($3,400 DK, $2,700 FD)
Sensing a theme yet? You should. Michael Harris II is batting .206 with one home run and five RBIs. He is averaging 5.8 fantasy points per game. Harris II has not been very productive this year but is in a good spot today. Don’t let the fact that Eovaldi is pitching scare you. As mentioned in our Braves vs. Rangers Betting Prediction, we think Atlanta gets to Eovaldi early and often. We project Harris to score between 8-10 points today.
Best Stack of the Day
We love Atlanta today as a team to stack. They have been scoring at will, and while some will stray from this game with Nathan Eovaldi pitching, we will not. We believe a four-stack here is the key to winning. Since we already discussed Acuna Jr. and Harris II, we would add Matt Olson and Austin Riley or Sean Murphy. Again, this option is on the pricey side, but if you value hitters more than pitchers, then you can pay down and load up with hitters easily.
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Dusty’s Optimal Main Slate Lineup
DraftKings
| Position | Player | Price |
| P | Spencer Strider | $12,000 |
| P | Mike Clevinger | $6,500 |
| C | William Contreras | $3,700 |
| 1B | Matt Olson | $5,300 |
| 2B | Kolten Wong | $2,600 |
| 3B | Austin Riley | $5,200 |
| SS | Pablo Reyes | $5,200 |
| OF | Ronald Acuna Jr. | $6,200 |
| OF | Michael Harris II | $3,400 |
| OF | Rob Refsnyder | $2,800 |
FanDuel
| Position | Player | Price |
| P | Spencer Strider | $11,500 |
| C/1B | Jose Abreu | $2,400 |
| 2B | Kolten Wong | $2,300 |
| 3B | Austin Riley | $2,900 |
| SS | Gabriel Arias | $2,000 |
| OF | Michael Harris II | $2,700 |
| OF | Ronald Acuna Jr. | $4,600 |
| OF | Rob Refsnyder | $2,400 |
| UTIL | Matt Olson | $4,100 |
