This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
It's back to normal Friday night with every team in action to go with little threat of rain. Jacob deGrom stands over everyone in terms of price, but on a huge slate, there are plenty of ways to go if you don't want to throw all your money at a pitcher.
PITCHING
There's a clear pitcher at the top of the list in Jacob deGrom ($12,000), but at that price, you're looking for another 70-point outing. He hit that number in his first start against the Marlins, but only struck out eight last week against them, accruing 52 points. Either way, 50 points is a good bet against a team that remains at the bottom of the charts with a 24.8 K% and .259 wOBA against righties in the last month.
If you don't want to spend that much, both Max Scherzer ($10,800) and Gerrit Cole ($10,500) have been mostly matchup proof due to K%s above 30. They're equal favorites (depending where you look), though Scherzer has the slightly better matchup since the Cubs are striking out more in the last month at 22.1%. The bonus for Cole is that Boston hasn't shown as much power with a below average .171 ISO.
Still, I'd probably go with Martin Perez ($9,500) above Scherzer or Cole. He wasn't great against the Tigers last outing, hence his price, but still has a couple 50-plus-point performances and that's something he can do against the Mariners, who sport a high 28.3 K% against southpaws since the middle of April. At the least, he's shown more upside than both Cole Hamels ($9,300) and Frankie Montas ($8,800), who have been between 30 and 40 points every outing. If you don't care about upside, Montas has the better matchup against the Tigers.
If you prefer to spend on hitting, this is a decent slate to go with a cheaper arm. The over/under isn't friendly (9), but Ivan Nova ($7,200) has given up just two runs in his last two starts to go with eight strikeouts. Jefrey Rodriguez ($7,400) is a bigger favorite and has consistently been around 30 fantasy points, though doesn't have upside with a lack of Ks. According to recent numbers, Nova has the better matchup as Toronto has a 24.5 K% and .281 wOBA against righty arms in the last month.
The bigger gamble is either Joey Lucchesi ($6,200) or Matt Harvey ($6,100). Lucchesi only gave up one run at Coors Field last start and the Pirates have a 27.1 K% against lefty arms over the last month. He's the better GPP play than Harvey, who only made this list because he hit 43 fantasy points a few weeks ago against the Royals.
KEY VALUES/CHALK
There are a few games that stand out in terms of over/under, but with none of them over 9.5 runs, it's likely there won't be one that's complete chalk. Of course, with how the Astros are hitting, any of their cheap guys will be popular plays. Aledmys Diaz ($3,200) is the hottest with at least 12 fantasy points in the last five games, including three homers. Josh Reddick ($2,900) is the more reasonable play against Rick Porcello, who is allowing a brutal .422 OBP to 91 lefties faced. That also means if Tony Kemp ($2,100) starts, he'll be over owned.
There could be some Mike Trout ($4,700) love since he faces a guy that's allowed five runs in three of his last four outings. Brad Keller isn't a big strikeout guy and his -1.8 K-BB% against lefty bats wont help. That immediately puts points to Shohei Ohtani ($3,600), Tommy La Stella ($3,400) and Kole Calhoun ($3,300) for a possible stack.
I'd be willing to take a stab at either side of the Dodgers-Reds game. Rich Hill has given up five homers in his three starts, while Anthony DeSclafani has had issues in his last two outings with seven runs allowed in only 10 innings. Jose Iglesias ($2,600) is getting on base almost every game and has a .370 BABIP against southpaws this year. Jose Peraza ($2,100) and Curt Casali ($2,000) are true value plays and you get what you pay for. The Dodgers options aren't as cheap, though they have a string of cheaper lefties in Corey Seager ($2,900), Max Muncy ($2,800) and Alex Verdugo ($2,800).
If you're looking for GPP options, the Giants fit the mold against Merrill Kelly, who has allowed at least one homer in all but one start. As for the Giants, they have a decent .204 ISO and .330 wOBA against righty hurlers in the last month. They have a roster full of value lefties with Steven Duggar ($2,900), Joe Panik ($2,700) and Stephen Vogt ($2,600) fitting the bill.
STACKS
Cardinals vs. Jose Leclerc, Adrian Sampson (Rangers)
(OF Marcell Ozuna - $4,100), (OF Jose Martinez - $3,200), (OF Dexter Fowler - $2,900)
LeClerc has never started in the majors, so there's a chance he doesn't work out. Either way, Sampson will likely pitch behind him and has allowed 16 hits and 10 runs in his last two starts (8.1 IP). Sampson's career numbers are worse against righties (.437 wOBA allowed) so you don't have to go with majority lefties. This stack is as balanced as it gets since Ozuna provides the power with a .286 ISO, while Martinez and Fowler lead the Cardinals in terms of BABIP against righty arms.
White Sox vs. Aaron Sanchez (Blue Jays)
(3B Yoan Moncada - $3,700), (C James McCann - $2,900), (SS Tim Anderson - $3,500)
I'm fine with jumping on the train against Sanchez, who has given up 12 runs and four homers in his last three starts. That includes the 9 H, 5 ER, 2 HR stat line he had against the White Sox last outing and he still had an abnormal 11 strikeouts. There's not much to dislike about this Chicago trio. Moncada leads with a .315 ISO against righties, while McCann and Anderson are best on the teams in terms of BABIP, .438 and .372 respectively.
Diamondbacks vs. Jeff Samardzija (Giants)
(OF Jarrod Dyson - $3,300), (OF Ketel Marte - $3,600), (C Alex Avila - $2,800)
Samardzija hasn't gone more than 5.1 innings in his last five starts and has given up four homers in his last two. He still has an issue against lefty bats with a .357 wOBA allowed this year, following a 1.55 HR/9 allowed the last time he pitched a full season (2017). This is a play on a bunch of lefty bats with Avila possibly being a bit chalky. He has a .444 BABIP in 26 plate appearances against righty arms, while Marte serves as power insurance with a .200 ISO.
