This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Thursday's DFS action kicks off early with a 12:10 p.m. EDT "early only" slate of two games. The main group will start at the usual 7:05 p.m. EDT and will feature six contests.
Pitching
Not surprisingly, the top pitching option for cash games, the Twins' Jose Berrios ($9,300), is also the most expensive. Berrios has scored 32 and 39 fantasy points, respectively, in his other two outings against the White Sox, showing he's had past success against them. Chicago has the fifth-lowest wOBA against right-handed pitching (.301), and its 25.9 percent strikeout rate is the third highest. Berrios has allowed three or fewer runs in 10 straight starts and should be able to make it 11 facing a weak offensive team like the White Sox.
Given his inconsistency this season, Oakland's Brett Anderson ($7,800) is difficult to trust for cash games, but he's a great GPP option. The matchup against the Rangers is as good as it gets when looking at their numbers against left-handed pitching. Texas' 27.4 percent strikeout rate against southpaws is the highest in baseball, and its .304 wOBA is the seventh lowest. Anderson had 25 and 29 fantasy points, respectively, in the two other meetings with Texas, although he'll have the home advantage in this contest, something he didn't have working in his favor the other two games.
Looking at the really cheap options, the Angels' Jose Suarez ($6,200) stands out for tournaments due to his matchup with the Orioles. Baltimore has struggled against left-handed pitching this season with a .302 wOBA (fifth-lowest) and a 26.5 percent strikeout rate (second-highest). While Suarez has struggled in the majors this year, he had a 3.62 ERA at Triple-A while striking out 8.63 per nine innings.
Key Values/Chalk
The Indians are facing a lefty in Mike Montgomery, therefore Jordan Luplow ($2,800) is in play. He should be hitting cleanup, and his wOBA against lefties sits at .445. Oddly, his ownership in cash games has been low recently when he's faced southpaws for whatever reason. He might see that ownership go back up to a higher level in this matchup, but it's not a spot to fade in cash.
The Yankees' Didi Gregorius ($3,300) appears to be hitting his stride at the plate and has finally seen his price creep over the $3,000 mark. He's still in play despite that increase and has had some big games looking at his box scores over the last month since returning from the injured list. Boston righty Rick Porcello has allowed a .363 wOBA to left-handed hitters this season.
While Suarez was recommended as a GPP play, the Orioles' Renato Nunez ($3,200) is in play across the board. He has a .368 wOBA against left-handed pitching this season and should be hitting in the cleanup spot. Nunez is averaging 10.3 fantasy points per game, and did anyone have him penciled in for 24 home runs at this point?
The Angels' David Fletcher ($2,800) has been a pleasant surprise for the Halos hitting .291 out of the leadoff spot. He also has reverse splits as a right-handed hitter with his best split being facing right-handed pitching at home, where he has a .374 wOBA.
The Mariners' Omar Narvaez ($2,500) will likely be overlooked tonight, considering he's a catcher and a first baseman could be used in his spot instead of him. Narvaez will face a right-handed pitcher in Drew VerHagen and has a .353 wOBA at home this season against that handedness. VerHagen had a 4.42 ERA at Triple-A and isn't considered a good prospect, putting all of Seattle's bats in play.
Stacks
Indians at Royals (Mike Montgomery)
Jordan Luplow (OF - $2,800), Jose Ramirez (3B - $4,000), Francisco Lindor (SS - $4,100), Carlos Santana (C/1B - $3,700)
Montgomery has been awful this season allowing more earned runs (22) than strikeouts (19). The Indians are tough against lefties, and these four have good splits against that handedness.
Mariners vs. Tigers (Drew VerHagen)
Omar Narvaez (C/1B - $2,500), Daniel Vogelbach (C/1B - $3,500), Kyle Seager (3B - $2,600), Mallex Smith (OF - $3,000)
All of these players will get a favorable matchup as left-handed hitters facing VerHagen. Vogelbach has a .399 wOBA against right-handed hitters this season, while Seager has a career .337 mark.
