This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
There are several day games across baseball on Thursday, and a doubleheader, which leaves just four night games for the main slate on DraftKings. Let's dive into the limited options and discuss some players to consider.
Pitchers
Trevor Bauer ($11,300) stands out among the starting pitching options for this slate. He's off to a fantastic start, posting a 2.53 ERA and a 0.66 WHIP across his first five outings. His FIP isn't quite as impressive at 3.45, but his strikeout rate remains elite at 37.8 percent. This is a favorable matchup for him against the Brewers, who entered Wednesday with the second-most strikeouts in baseball.
Another pitcher with a matchup is to potentially exploit is Luke Weaver ($7,700), who is facing the Rockies at home. The Rockies have been terrible away from Coors Field, entering Wednesday with a .544 OPS across eight games. That number is abnormally low, but they only had a .670 OPS on the road last season, and that was with Nolan Arenado. Now that he's a member of the Cardinals, the Rockies' lineup is even further compromised.
Top Targets
Rafael Devers ($5,200) saw his strikeout rate spike to 27.0 percent last season, which was significantly higher than his career mark of 21.6 percent. He looks to be back on track this season, though, with a 21.3 percent strikeout rate entering Wednesday. He's also increased his walk rate to an impressive 10.6 percent, all while recording a .268 ISO. Add in his career .363 wOBA against right-handed pitchers and he has the potential to be productive in a matchup against Kyle Gibson ($7,000), who has just an 18.1 percent strikeout rate for his career.
Ronald Acuna Jr. ($5,800) is a top option most nights, but he's especially someone to target for a slate with so few other elite hitters available. He's off to another stellar start, recording a lofty 1.233 OPS entering Wednesday. Expect him to be a tough out for Adbert Alzolay ($7,200), who has allowed nine runs across his first 15 innings despite each of his first three starts coming against the struggling Brewers' lineup.
Bargain Bats
Adolis Garcia ($3,800) has worked his way into regular player time, partly because of the struggles of Leody Taveras, who has now been optioned to the Rangers' alternate site. Garcia's 32.2 percent strikeout rate entering Wednesday is a major red flag, but he's coupled it with a monstrous .321 ISO. A matchup against Martin Perez ($5,700) and his paltry 15.0 percent strikeout rate makes Garcia an intriguing option.
Unlike his teammate Garcia, Isiah Kiner-Falefa ($3,900) makes a lot of contact. He only has a 17.1 percent strikeout rate for his career, although it comes with just a .092 ISO. Still, if he can find his way on base a time or two against a pitcher in Perez who doesn't have an overwhelming arsenal, he could provide value.
Stacks to Consider
Dodgers vs. Eric Lauer ($6,700), Brewers: Mookie Betts ($5,400), Justin Turner ($5,000), Chris Taylor ($4,500)
With Brett Anderson (hamstring) on the IL, Lauer is expected to make his first start of the season for the Brewers. He started all but one of his appearances during his two seasons with the Padres and has mostly been underwhelming with a career 4.75 ERA and 4.43 FIP. Betts could be a key player to build any Dodgers' stack around, while Turner and Taylor are excellent targets with a lefty on the mound. Turner recorded a wOBA of at least .385 versus left-handed pitchers in three of the last four seasons and Taylor has recorded a wOBA of at least .350 against them in two of the last four seasons.
Cubs vs. Bryse Wilson ($6,700), Braves: Willson Contreras ($5,300), Kris Bryant ($4,700), Anthony Rizzo ($4,000),
The Braves are in a tough spot after a recent doubleheader messed up their starting rotation. They've decided to start Wilson on short rest, which likely means they will turn to their bullpen to pitch the majority of the innings. This trio has provided plenty of power out of the gate, entering Wednesday with a combined 17 home runs. To put that into perspective, three entire teams have hit 18 or fewer home runs.
