This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Thursday's main slate features a modest five games with totals at nine runs or under. Outside of Julio Urias and Steven Matz, there really isn't another upper-tier pitcher yet it'll likely be one of those other arms that pays off in a GPP. Let's take a look at the slate.
Pitching
Julio Urias, LAD vs. COL ($9,600): It's flipping a coin between Urias and Matz today as both have decent matchups and have a similar salary cap hit. I'm going to lean Urias here with him being at home and the Dodgers being a -300 favorite. Urias just held these same Rockies to only one earned run in Colorado over seven innings. Colorado has had success against left-handed pitching this season, but all of that has come at home.
Sean Manaea, OAK vs. DET ($6,700): This is a great home matchup for Manaea. The Tigers are off to a slow start against southpaws with a .255 wOBA (second lowest) and a 29.1 percent strikeout rate. Manaea has been better at home in virtually every category throughout his career, owning a 3.72 ERA and only a .293 wOBA allowed.
Patrick Corbin, WAS vs. ARI ($8,100): I love Corbin in tournaments because this is a great bounce-back spot for him at home, and he's one of the more expensive pitchers which should keep his roster rate low. He was able to throw 80 pitches in his first start and should see that number extend to around 90 today. There's no way I'd let him enter the circle of trust quite yet, so keep him limited to GPPs until he proves consistency.
Top Targets
Mookie Betts, LAD vs. COL ($4,600): This is wearing the Captain Obvious hat considering he's the top hitter on tonight's slate. He's scored at least 12.2 fantasy points in every game this season, giving him a nice floor, and a game of 33.7 fantasy points shows where his ceiling is. It doesn't hurt that he'll face lefty Austin Gomber, and Betts has a career. 374 wOBA against lefties.
Juan Soto, WAS vs. ARI ($4,400): It's totally possible to use either Urias or Matz and have enough room for Betts and Soto. Soto has crushed right-handed pitching with a career. 419 wOBA and has actually walked (19.2 percent) more than he's struck out (19.0 percent) against that handedness. Merrill Kelly has struggled on the road (5.25 ERA) for his career.
Ramon Laureano, OAK vs. DET ($3,900): Laureano is off to a ridiculous start, averaging over 17 fantasy points per game fueled by eight stolen bases. He also has some pop in his bat with two doubles, a triple and a home run thus far. He'll get lefty Tarik Skubal and Laureano has a career .340 wOBA against southpaws.
Value Bats
Victor Robles, WAS vs. ARI ($2,800): There's some good news and bad news when it comes to Robles' fantasy production so far this season. He's hit leadoff in every game except for one with a .353 OBP. He's reached base every game (nine games) and drawn five walks. The bad news is he's done little other than that. Six of his seven hits have been singles and he's only stolen one base despite the OBP. However, the case has been made against Kelly and I would use Robles if he's back in the leadoff spot tonight.
Yandy Diaz, TB vs. TEX ($2,600): Diaz should be hitting cleanup for the Rays, but a quick look at his numbers this season aren't impressive. However, he's reached base in nine of 10 games and has a 6:6 K:BB so far. The Rangers seem to be unable to quit Jordan Lyles who, in case you forgot, had a 7.02 ERA in 57.2 innings last season fueled by allowing 12 home runs.
Elvis Andrus, OAK vs. DET ($2,100): Andrus has gotten off to a dismal start but appears to be warming up at the plate. He's hit safely in four of his last five games and doesn't need a ton of fantasy points to make value here. Elvis has a .322 wOBA against lefties for his career, which is a respectable number for a shortstop.
Stacks To Consider
Washington vs. Kelly: Robles, Soto, Trea Turner ($4,000), Kyle Schwarber ($3,300)
As mentioned I only like Robles here if he's batting leadoff and if not, I'd pivot to Josh Bell ($3,400). Bell is a solid option over any of the three not named Soto if you prefer him and have the extra salary cap space. Kelly's given up nine earned runs in only 10 innings through two starts, so getting shelled by the Nationals is a real possibility.
Rays vs. Lyles: Diaz, Joey Wendle ($3,400), Randy Arozarena ($4,000), Austin Meadows ($3,600)
I like Wendle a lot here as he has dual eligibility (2B/3B). A small advantage here is not having to worry about this game being postponed due to weather and again, this is a complete fade of Jordan Lyles who could easily blow up.
