This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Today's action kicks off at 1:10 EDT with a nice seven-game slate. There's a Coors Field game and some upper-tier pitching options to choose from.
Pitching
Jose Berrios, MIN vs. SEA ($9,600): There's nothing wrong with rostering Berrios in cash games, and essentially he'll be a rake-free option in cash with others choosing to deploy a more economical pitcher. Berrios had 12 strikeouts (64 fantasy points) in his first start and has a plus matchup at home against the Mariners.
Taijuan Walker, NYM vs. MIA ($7,700): Walker is slated to make his first start for the Mets, and it's in a good home matchup against the Marlins. He doesn't carry much of a hit to the salary cap and there's a lot of upside here considering he's had a sub-3.50 ERA the last four seasons.
Brad Keller, KC at CHW ($6,900): He should only be used in GPPs given his -14 fantasy point performance in his first outing. However, that'll keep his roster rate very low and make him the ultimate contrarian play on the slate. The White Sox are striking out 26.2 percent of the time in a limited sample against right-handed pitching this season, which helps the argument for Keller.
Top Targets
Charlie Blackmon, COL vs. ARI ($3,900): Blackmon is easily my favorite play of the day, and it's not a stretch to back the likely cleanup hitter on the team with the highest projected run total. Blackmon was given the day off Wednesday after a slow start and should be ready to go off on Merrill Kelly. Trevor Story ($4,100) is also a good option who doesn't need further explanation on why to use him.
Xander Bogaerts, BOS at BAL ($3,300): I feel like a turncoat because I used to love Matt Harvey (even as a Yankees fan) and now whenever I see him pitching I try to figure out how to exploit him. Bogaerts had a .398 wOBA against right-handed pitching in the bigger sample of 2019, showing that he should be able to take advantage of this matchup.
Nelson Cruz, MIN vs. SEA ($4,200): While this is a bit of salary cap hit, the ageless Cruz is off to a hot start and is facing a lefty at home. In case you haven't heard, he hits lefties very hard, sporting a career .401 wOBA against them.
Value Bats
Matt Carpenter, STL vs. MIL ($2,200): Carpenter has been a streaky player in the past and while he's not off to a great start, he's way too cheap. He should be hitting in the middle of the lineup and has a good home matchup against Corbin Burnes.
Jake Marisnick, CHC at PIT ($2,200): Marisnick is hitting sixth in the lineup today and has hit left-handed pitching better than right-handed pitching. He's put up 9.7 and 12.2 fantasy points in his two starts this season, and either one of those numbers today would make him a great value.
Stacks To Consider
Colorado Rockies vs. Kelly: Blackmon, Story, C.J. Cron ($3,900), Garrett Hampson ($3,200)
Hampson had three stolen bases last night and this is the obvious stack of the day. Pivoting to Hampson off another player hitting in the lineup is a bit of a contrarian move that could pay off.
Minnesota Twins vs. Marco Gonzales: Cruz, Byron Buxton ($3,800), Miguel Sano ($3,100), Mitch Garver ($2,400)
All of these players hit left-handed pitching well and this stack could be under the radar with the Coors game drawing attention. Buxton is averaging 17.4 fantasy points per game to start the season and while Garver has struggled a bit, that's helped bring his salary down. Remember that there can be a 1-0, 2-1 or 2-0 game even in Colorado so stacking elsewhere could pay off.
