This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
The MLB action Thursday is almost all in the afternoon, which means I would recommend trying to play an all-day slate. Since Cleveland and the White Sox are playing a doubleheader, you don't have to worry about the first game of the day. You still have 10 games worth of players to choose from, with the first game of the slate starting at 2:10 p.m. EDT. Here are my recommendations for your DFS lineups.
PITCHING
Max Scherzer, LAD at COL ($11,300): Right now, the 1927 New York Yankees could show up and challenge Scherzer and the Dodgers, and I still wouldn't shy away from starting him in my lineup. If you are willing to pony up for his salary and trying to scrimp in other places, "Mad Max" will likely pay off. In 58.0 innings with the Dodgers, Scherzer has a 0.78 ERA and has struck out 79 batters. Even at Coors Field, I have no fear.
Logan Webb, SF at SD ($9,800): Webb has completely turned around his career in 2021, posting a 2.76 FIP over 23 starts. Yes, his numbers are better at home than on the road, but San Diego has an even better park for pitchers than San Francisco. In spite of some big names in the lineup, the Padres are actually in the middle of the league in scoring. They have also collapsed down the stretch and are 2-8 in their last 10 games.
Aaron Nola, PHI vs. PIT ($9,100): Nola's performance has been up and down, though he has struck out 11.26 batters per nine innings. While his 4.48 ERA is nothing to write home about, his 3.30 FIP is much better. Mostly, though, this is about the fact the Pirates are last in runs scored.
TOP TARGETS
Mookie Betts, LAD at COL ($4,000): Betts missed a chunk of the season with injury, so maybe that's why we are overlooking a guy with a .275/.377/.502 slash line, 21 home runs and 10 stolen bases? I may not be afraid of Scherzer at Coors, but I do not feel the same way about Kyle Freeland. He has a 6.50 ERA in his home ballpark since 2019.
Cedric Mullins, BAL vs. TEX ($3,400): Mullins has risen to the level of a top target. The dude is one home run away from being a 30-30 guy and he's hitting .302. Mullins is crushing righties (.955 OPS) and crushing at home (.990 OPS). He will be facing Glenn Otto, who has the name of a 1950s NHL goalie and kind of pitches like one. Across four starts he has a 9.37 ERA.
VALUE BATS
Mark Canha, OAK vs. SEA ($3,100): Canha isn't hitting for average, but he has a .360 OBP. On top of that, the righty has 17 home runs and 12 stolen bases. Yusei Kikuchi wipes out lefties, but due to his struggles against righties he has a 4.58 FIP. Specifically, right-handed batters have hit .282 against him since 2019.
Andy Ibanez, TEX at BAL ($2,800): Sure, 28-year-old hitters don't tend to suddenly become reliable MLB players, even when they post a 1.051 OPS in Triple-A like Ibanez did this year. However, in 66 games of action he's put up a .269 average and has taken the second base job for the Rangers. Also, he does have an .884 OPS versus lefties. Zac Lowther is starting for the Orioles and he's managed a 9.61 ERA and has allowed 2.29 home runs per nine innings.
STACK TO CONSIDER
Reds vs. Patrick Corbin: Nick Castellanos ($3,800), Jonathan India ($3,700), Kyle Farmer ($2,800)
Signing Corbin has worked out increasingly poorly for the Nationals. This year, he's managed a 6.11 ERA in 29 starts. He's striking out the fewest batters per nine of his career (7.19) while allowing the most home runs per nine (2.04). Now, like many southpaws he can still get his fellow lefties out, but righties are hitting .307 against him. Basically, Corbin turns right-handed hitters into batting title contenders, so I have three righties right here for you.
Castellanos is already hitting .309, so he doesn't need help to post an impressive average. He also has a 1.090 OPS at home. India is making a run at the NL Rookie of the Year with a .269/.376/.457 slash line, 20 home runs and 11 stolen bases. Farmer is a little under the radar, but he has a .263 average with 15 home runs and has an .811 OPS in September.
