This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Wednesday brings eight games that make up the main evening slate on DraftKings. The night will generally be short on top-tier pitching options, which could lead to some high-scoring games. With that in mind, let's discuss some players to consider for your lineups.
Pitchers
Sean Manaea ($9,600) recorded a career-worst 4.50 ERA last season, but his 3.71 FIP indicated that he didn't pitch that poorly. He has an even better 3.32 FIP this season, which has propelled him to a 3.86 ERA. He's also bounced back in the strikeout department, posting a 24.2 percent strikeout rate that is nearly four percentage points higher than last season. He could keep things rolling in his road matchup against the Mariners, who entered Tuesday with the worst OPS in baseball.
While his 4.22 ERA still isn't anything to write home about, Jordan Montgomery ($9,300) has at least improved significantly from his 5.11 ERA last season. He had a much better 3.87 FIP, so he didn't exactly pitch as poorly as his ERA would lead you to believe. His FIP this season checks in at 3.68 and he's done a good job of keeping hitters inside the ballpark, allowing 1.2 HR/9. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him provide value in a matchup against the Rays, who have struck out the most times in baseball. In three previous starts against them this season, Montgomery allowed nine runs and recorded 20 strikeouts across 17 innings.
Talk about a way to make a debut in the majors. Alek Manoah ($8,200) was lights out against the Yankees, striking out seven batters over six scoreless innings. Despite the start coming at hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium, Manoah only allowed a total of four baserunners. The Jays' star prospect will have a better matchup in his second start, which comes against the Marlins, who entered Tuesday with the fifth-worst OPS in baseball.
Top Targets
Matt Harvey ($5,200) hasn't been as bad as his 6.84 ERA would lead you to believe based on his 4.37 FIP. However, it's difficult to have much faith in a pitcher who is on pace for his third straight season with a WHIP of at least 1.54. The seemingly ageless Nelson Cruz ($4,600) is an excellent option for Harvey's matchup with the Twins.
It's been a rough season for Drew Smyly ($7,200), who enters his start against the Nationals with a 5.95 ERA and an even worse 6.43 FIP. His 1.30 WHIP isn't terrible, but he's given up a staggering 13 home runs across 42.1 innings. This could be an ideal matchup to deploy Trea Turner ($5,500), who has been one of the Nationals' best hitters with 10 home runs and a .365 wOBA entering Tuesday.
Bargain Bats
Going back to the Twins' matchup against Harvey, Miguel Sano ($4,000) could also be someone to consider. He's once again having trouble making contact, generating a 38.7 percent strikeout rate entering Tuesday. However, that might not be a problem against Harvey, who hasn't had a strikeout rate of at least 20 percent since 2015.
After a dreadfully slow start, Ryan Mountcastle ($3,100) has started to show signs of turning things around, entering Tuesday having hit 8-for-31 (.258) with two home runs and a double over his last nine games. It might be worth taking a chance on him at this cheap salary against Randy Dobnak ($5,500), who doesn't miss many bats given his career 15.9 percent strikeout rate.
Stacks to Consider
Rangers vs. Antonio Senzatela ($6,000), Rockies: Adolis Garcia ($5,000), Nate Lowe ($3,700), Joey Gallo ($4,300)
Senzatela's 3.44 ERA last season seemed like a mirage given his 4.57 FIP. He's come back to reality this season with a 4.97 ERA that is almost right on par with his career 5.00 ERA. The Rangers should be a popular team to stack with this game being at Coors Field and Garcia figures to be one player to build such a stack around. He's been an excellent source for power, entering Tuesday with a .303 ISO.
Rockies vs. Jordan Lyles ($5,700), Rangers: Ryan McMahon ($5,600), Charlie Blackmon ($5,400), Raimel Tapia ($4,800)
This could be a disastrous start for Lyles, who is on pace to allow at least 1.6 HR/9 for the third straight season. He also has a 1.50 WHIP, which comes on the heels of his 1.56 WHIP last season. While the Rockies don't have nearly the lineup that they've had in the past, they are still a team to stack when they get a favorable matchup like this at home. Tapia has some crazy career splits, posting a .262 wOBA on the road, but a .363 wOBA at home.
Astros vs. Nick Pivetta ($8,700), Red Sox: Alex Bregman ($5,000), Yordan Alvarez ($3,900), Kyle Tucker ($3,500)
Have we started to see the demise of Pivetta? After getting off to a strong start, he's allowed nine runs (eight earned) across 11 innings in his last two starts. If Pivetta can't start to improve on his 11.6 percent walk rate, his ERA could continue to climb. The Astros received a big boost with Alvarez returning to the lineup Tuesday given that he entered the contest with a .369 wOBA. Overall, they have the second-best OPS in baseball.
