This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
A cold front swept across the country Monday, but most of the rain should be gone by night, which means 28 teams will be in action. There are plenty of viable arms on the slate, though Justin Verlander should still be plenty popular even at a hefty price.
PITCHING
Justin Verlander ($11,300) is a huge favorite and a lot of that has to do with Houston's hitting. He's in good form and has 33.4 fantasy points in each of his last two outings, but there are ways to save money with good matchups. Caleb Smith ($10,400) has been just as consistent as Verlander, hitting 20 fantasy points in seven of his eight starts. The Tigers are better against southpaws, but that doesn't matter with how they're playing, scoring 12 runs in the last six games.
Zack Greinke ($10,200) is the play if you want to bank on strikeouts. He struck out 16 in two prior starts against the Padres and that number should let him reach at least 20 fantasy points, especially since they have the highest K% (29.3) against righties in the last month. Domingo German ($9,900) is slightly cheaper and a bigger favorite, coming off a smooth 7 IP, 1 ER, 8 K performance against the Orioles.
If you don't want to spend major money, the last place I'd look for my top arm is Zack Wheeler ($9,000) and Eduardo Rodriguez ($8,900). Rodriguez has held a safe floor with a 25.7 K% and that should work against the Blue Jays, who don't have any good numbers against southpaws with a 25.2 K%, .111 ISO and .274 wOBA since the beginning of April. Wheeler is a little harder to trust after giving up 11 hits and six runs to the Nationals last outing, though it's hard to ignore Washington's 25.2 K% and .272 wOBA against righty arms in the last month.
For value, Spencer Turnbull ($7,800) has been viable with 19 Ks in his last three starts and he faces the Marlins, which is usually a good route to take. Gio Gonzalez ($7,400) is in that same mold and there's also he chance he surpasses 90 pitches after staying under that total in his first four starts. He isn't striking many out, but he isn't allowing runs and Cincinnati has been mediocre all year against southpaws sporting a .303 wOBA. If you want to test your luck, Tommy Milone ($5,700) has a 3.38 ERA in Triple-A this season and could post decent numbers against the Rangers, who have a 29.1 K% against lefty arms.
KEY VALUES/CHALK
Everyone on the Astros has a juiced price, but for good reason and that's only enhanced with Dylan Covey on the mound, who has given up three homers to Toronto in his last two starts. Alex Bregman ($5,400) will probably be most popular since you can save a few bucks and he sports a .447 wOBA since the beginning of April (and George Springer didn't play Monday because of a stiff back). Michael Brantley ($5,300) provides a lefty bat, though Josh Reddick ($4,400) will likely be chalk if he gets the start. Of course, if Tony Kemp ($3,900) or Tyler White ($3,400) make the squad, they'll be over owned.
The Twins-Angels game is a good place to turn with two shaky options on the mound in Michael Pineda and Trevor Cahill. You can find a bit more value in the Angels and it doesn't hurt that Pineda has given up six homers in his last two outings. That puts Mike Trout ($5,600) at the top of the list, but all of the lefties have crushed at home with the shorter fence. The trio of Tommy La Stella ($4,400), Shohei Ohtani ($4,200) and Kole Calhoun ($4,200) is a worthy stack.
Sonny Gray has given up three runs in each of his last three starts and that could continue against the Brewers. While a lot of their power is expensive, Ben Gamel ($3,900) and Jesus Aguilar ($3,600) are fairly cost effective with decent .387 and .357 BABIPs against righties in the last month, respectively.
Royals-Cardinals has the feeling of a rivalry game that will feature runs. Neither Michael Wacha nor Homer Bailey has been easy to project this season, both getting shelled often with subpar K%s. You can find slightly more value on the Royals, helped by Wacha's .375 OBP allowed to righty bats. That usually means Jorge Soler ($3,900), but I wouldn't oppose whoever starts behind plate between Cam Gallagher ($2,300) and Martin Maldonado ($2,200).
The real gamble is making a play in the Marlins-Tigers game. The best route is with the Tigers since they have a decent .327 wOBA against southpaws this season. Miguel Cabrera ($3,300) remains a value and leads the regulars with a .500 BABIP in 27 plate appearances against lefty arms. The same goes for Nicholas Castellanos ($3,700), who has been more consistent against lefties with a .368 BABIP.
STACKS
Twins vs. Trevor Cahill (Angels)
(OF Max Kepler - $4,200), (SS Jorge Polanco - $4,900), (1B Eddie Rosario - $4,500)
This will likely be one of the more popular stacks since Cahill gave up six runs last start against the Twins and has allowed 18 in his last four. He's already given up 14 homers overall to go with a .416 OBP allowed to lefty bats. These three bats are the best way to go for the Twins with cheaper options like Marwin Gonzalez ($3,600) and Luis Arraez ($3,200) possibilities.
Yankees vs. David Hess (Orioles)
(C Gary Sanchez - $5,200), (1B Kendrys Morales - $3,600), (2B/SS Gleyber Torres - $5,100)
The Yankees are another popular route so make sure to pick the right players. Hess gave up four homers to the Yanks in his last start and is surprisingly giving up more power to righties after allowing 2.55 HR/9 to lefties last year. Sanchez has 11 of his 13 homers against righty arms, while Torres is coming off two homers and has hit safely in his last nine. It also helps that those two have a combined five home runs in 14 at-bats against Hess. I threw Morales in the mix to make this a reasonable stack since it's hard to fit another high-end bat into the squad.
Mariners vs. Lance Lynn (Rangers)
(1B Daniel Vogelbach - $4,900), (C Omar Narvaez - $4,700), (SS Tim Beckham - $3,800)
Lynn has an early .352 wOBA allowed to righty bats and more importantly has given up 14 runs and 25 hits in three home starts (17.1 IP). The Mariners have a .240 ISO against righty arms in the last month and can capitalize again. No matter what stack you use, Vogelbach has to be involved with five homers in the last six games. Beckham is one of the cheaper options and will probably start for Ryon Healy again due to a back issue. A lot of people will also turn to Jay Bruce ($4,400), who has a .422 OBP against Lynn in 39 career at-bats.
