This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Thursday's DFS action starts with an early slate at 12:10 p.m. EDT featuring two games. The main slate has nine contests and begins at the usual 7:05 p.m. EDT.
Pitching
It might sound crazy, but the Rockies' Jon Gray ($7,500) might be the best cash game option. He's pitched better at home (3.00 ERA) than on the road (5.06 ERA) this season and has a prime matchup against the Padres. He's already faced the Padres twice this season scoring 37 and 43 fantasy points against them. San Diego's 26.9 percent strikeout rate against right-handed pitching is the highest mark in baseball.
Looking at the more expensive options, Boston's David Price ($9,800) appears to be the best choice of the group due to his matchup. The Rangers strike out a lot against left-handed pitching; their 26.9 percent strikeout rate is the third-highest mark. Price has always pitched better at home in Fenway Park. His ERA there since 2017 sits at 2.53 with him striking out over a batter per inning.
Looking at the cheap options Toronto's Marcus Stroman ($7,200) is in a good spot. He should bounce back from a rough outing, and his ERA still sits at 3.31. The Orioles have a league-average 22.8 percent strikeout rate against right-handed pitching, but their .295 wOBA is the fifth-worst mark. Stroman is a great GPP play because of his upside; he's scored 37 or more fantasy points in four of his 14 starts.
Key Values/Chalk
Looking outside of the game in Colorado, the Rays' Tommy Pham ($3,600) is a great pick for the center of your lineup build. Oddly, he's hit better at home than on the road this season and has a .401 wOBA against left-handed pitching at Tropicana Field. Tyler Skaggs has his worst split on the road against right-handed hitters, to whom he's allowed a .381 wOBA.
Let's not forget how good the Dodgers' Justin Turner ($3,100) is against left-handed pitching. Last season, he had a .433 wOBA against southpaws and his career mark sits at .350. Jon Lester has struggled on the road this season with a .332 wOBA to opposing batters and is on the wrong side of 35 years old.
The White Sox's Tim Anderson ($3,400) checks multiple boxes for Thursday nights' games. He's not ridiculously expensive, has a career .332 wOBA against left-handed pitching and has gone 7-for-13 (1.462 OPS) against Yankees southpaw J.A. Happ. Anderson also has the speed ability in his back pocket, making him a solid pick no matter what the position is. Obviously at home and against a lefty, the Rockies' Trevor Story ($4,700) is always in play, and this is one of the few time to consider using a shortstop in the Utility spot.
The Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez ($3,100) has a positive matchup against southpaw Jon Lester. Hernandez has a .351 wOBA this season against lefties, and that inflates to a .379 number at home this season (.385 at home vs. lefties last season). That's enough of a reason to trust him, and he'll be in a good hitting spot.
While he's been more miss than hit this season, the Rockies' Mark Reynolds ($2,700) should be back in their lineup as the Rockies face a lefty. Reynolds had a .563 wOBA at home against left-handed pitching last season and is one of the few Rockies available at a sub-$3,000 price.
Stacks
Rockies vs. Padres (Matt Strahm)
Story, Reynolds, Ian Desmond (OF - $3,600), Nolan Arenado (3B - $4,800)
Arenado left the game Wednesday after being plunked by Cole Hamels and might not be in the lineup. Charlie Blackmon ($4,400) has been raking as of late and is always an option in Coors as well. While this is an obvious stack, it doesn't mean it should be ignored.
Tigers at Royals (Homer Bailey)
Niko Goodrum (SS - $3,300), Miguel Cabrera (C/1B - $2,900), Nicholas Castellanos (3B - $3,300), Christin Stewart (OF - $3,000)
Does anyone really trust Homer Bailey and his 5.90 ERA? The Tigers haven't been the greatest hitting team this season but still have the above bats who can do some damage. Goodrum (knee) is banged up, though, so check to see if he's in the starting lineup.
