This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Tuesday's featured MLB slate begins at 7:05 p.m. EDT and includes 12 games. There are few enticing middling pitching options in this slate, so expect most lineups to pair an ace with a cheaper option. With some of the regular stack-able lineups facing tougher matchups, some unusual stacking candidates have emerged in this slate. Below, you'll find recommended pitchers and hitters to target, as well as some value plays and stacking options.
Pitchers
Yu Darvish ($11,300) should be worth paying up for as this slate's priciest arm. He's in the midst of a Cy Young-caliber campaign with a 1.77 ERA, 2.26 FIP and 33.6 percent strikeout rate for the Cubs ahead of a visit from the Indians' 26th-ranked offense (4.02 runs per game).
The sputtering Milwaukee offense has scored just seven runs in the team's last five games, and things won't get any easier against Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty ($9,400). Flaherty's 3.08 ERA is right in line with his career 3.19 mark, while his 25.0 percent strikeout rate is due to creep closer to his career rate of 28.9 percent.
Yankees rookie Deivi Garcia ($6,800) is a high-ceiling affordable option at home against Toronto. The 21-year-old righty has demonstrated impeccable control with an 18:2 K:BB over 17.2 innings through his first three starts. While the sample size is small, Garcia's 3.15 FIP suggests his 3.06 ERA is legit.
If you're looking to strike gold with an against-the-grain option, consider Rockies righty Antonio Senzatela ($6,900) against Oakland. While Coors Field is the opposite of a pitchers' paradise, Senzatela has actually performed significantly better at his home park in 2020. He has a 2.84 ERA and .293 wOBA allowed in 19 home innings compared to 4.15 and .323 marks in 34.2 road frames.
Top Targets
Mike Trout ($5,900) is rarely a bad choice when he has a favorable matchup, which is the case here. The Arizona version of Madison Bumgarner is far from what we grew accustomed to in San Francisco, as the big-name southpaw sports a 7.52 ERA and 9.05 FIP.
Trevor Story ($5,600) has a .468 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, which grows to .512 at hitter-friendly Coors Field. While Oakland's Sean Manaea is a tougher-than-average lefty, the Rockies shortstop is still an enticing option here.
Paul Goldschmidt ($4,800) has a massive .551 wOBA against left-handed pitching this season, and the Cardinals first baseman should keep up his strong production in that split against Brewers starter Brett Anderson, who has given up four earned runs over five innings in each of his past two starts.
Best Values
Dylan Moore ($3,800) has cooled off a bit recently, but Seattle's leadoff man still sports a terrific .265/.353/.513 line. He'll be at home against Giants southpaw Tyler Anderson, who has a 7.59 road ERA in 21.1 innings.
Phillies righty Jake Arrieta has a disastrous 8.25 home ERA this season, and Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo ($4,000) should help add to those struggles. The left-handed slugger has a .400 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season.
Michael Brantley ($3,600) is doing his best to hold down the fort for the injury-riddled Astros. The veteran outfielder has capitalized on his platoon advantage with a .423 wOBA against righties, and he has a nice opportunity to improve further in that split against Rangers opener Kyle Cody.
Stacks to Consider
Royals at Tigers LHP Matthew Boyd
Whit Merrifield (2B/OF - $4,800), Hunter Dozier (1B/OF - $3,900), Adalberto Mondesi (SS - $3,600)
Boyd has missed bats at a high rate, but he has also been hit hard this season, allowing a .447 wOBA to right-handed batters en route to a 7.63 ERA, which climbs to 9.16 at home. Merrifield owns a .458 wOBA against lefties on the road, and he would be on pace for 30 home runs and 24 steals if this was a 162-game season. Dozier only has 12 plate appearances against lefties this season, but he's 7-for-10 with three doubles and two walks over that small sample. The switch-hitting Mondesi has a .339 wOBA when batting right-handed compared to a meager .223 mark left-handed, and he's a major threat to add value with his legs whenever he gets on base, with 16 steals this season following a 43-steal campaign in 2019. Mondesi has been batting second recently and is enjoying a hot streak that includes three home runs, six RBI, seven runs and four steals in his last four games.
Orioles vs. Braves RHP Huascar Ynoa
DJ Stewart (OF - $2,400), Jose Iglesias (SS - $3,800), Pedro Severino (C - $4,000)
Things haven't been pretty for Ynoa, who has a 6.75 ERA in 14.2 innings overall this season and a 14.29 ERA in 5.2 innings as a starter. The affordable Stewart has the platoon advantage against Ynoa and sports a .473 wOBA against righties thanks to six home runs in just 41 at-bats. Iglesias occupies the two-hole and is slashing .370/.387/.504 after Monday's four-hit, four-RBI performance against Atlanta. Severino has a .379 wOBA in righty-on-righty matchups this season, and the catcher comes in fresh after getting a day off Monday.
Diamondbacks at Angels RHP Julio Teheran
Kole Calhoun (OF - $3,400), Christian Walker (1B - $3,200), Josh VanMeter (2B/3B - $2,000)
Teheran has an 8.23 ERA in 27.1 innings this season, and the righty has allowed seven home runs over his six starts and one long relief appearance. Arizona's lineup doesn't contain many big names, but it has some value options capable of capitalizing on Teheran's struggles. Calhoun played for the Angels from 2012-19 and is set up for success in his return to his old stomping grounds. The left-handed slugger has the platoon advantage against Teheran and a .370 wOBA against righties. Walker's a solid budget bat at first base if you plan to spend big elsewhere. Arizona's three-hole hitter has 31 RBI in 46 games and a .272/.332/.480 line. VanMeter was recently promoted to the two-hole in the lineup and has the platoon advantage against Teheran, so the versatile infielder could be worth a flier at just $2,000.
