This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Tuesday features 13 games with rain a major worry for Cleveland-Boston so if you plan on backing David Price, keep an eye on the radar. The good news for this slate is that it's not dire to put everything into pitcher with a few options at the mid and lower levels.
PITCHING
It's kind of a weird pitching slate since the most expensive options probably aren't the best way to go. Stephen Strasburg ($11,800) has given up multiple runs in his last four starts and the Braves have a stout 20.2 K% against righties in the last month. The same goes for Frankie Montas ($11,300), who saw a big price jump, yet the Angels are best in the league at not striking out with a 16.5 K% against righty arms.
I'd rather move to the next level with Rich Hill ($10,800) and Lucas Giolito ($9,900). The former is probably the better route because in addition to being cheaper, he's hit 20 fantasy points in his last four starts including four hits allowed to the Astros in nine innings. If you don't prefer chalk plays, Matthew Boyd ($10,300) will be less popular and should have 30-point upside against the Orioles, who have a 28.3 K% in the last month against southpaws.
On the opposite side of Boyd, Dylan Bundy ($8,500) got a big boost in price since he's facing the Tigers, who have a .266 wOBA against righty arms this month. He's not easy to trust, but he's had some decent outings, surpassing 25 fantasy points in two of his last four.
Lower down the list, I'd take a crack at Marco Gonzales ($6,900), who has pitched seven innings in both starts against the Rangers this season. While he only struck out three last outing, he had nine Ks in the first game and he should finish somewhere between those numbers. Plus, Texas has a 30.8 K% against lefties in the last month. Clayton Richard ($6,200) is another possibility if he can reach 70 or 80 pitches after throwing 54 in his first start. Either way, the Rays also have a bad K rate against lefty arms at 30.5%.
KEY VALUES/CHALK
There's almost no getting around the Arizona-Colorado game in cash games. With two questionable arms on the mound, the over/under opened at 12.5 runs. Merrill Kelly has allowed 14 runs in his last four starts, while Antonio Senzatela has a 7.27 ERA and given up 19 hits in three home starts. Nolan Arenado ($5,900) has been on a tear, but if you don't want to spend that much, the Rockies have a slew of lefty bats like Raimel Tapia ($4,300) and David Dahl ($4,200). It's a similar situation for the Diamondbacks with Ketel Marte ($5,800) and Eduardo Escobar ($5,700) at lofty prices. Due to injury, Arizona's lineup is a bit messy, but Tim Locastro ($4,600) and Ildemaro Vargas ($4,300) are worthy gambles, while Alex Avila ($4,300) is always in play for GPP against a righty.
The Astros should also be plenty popular against Jon Lester, who has allowed 17 hits and nine runs in his last two starts. Alex Bregman ($4,800) has cooled off, but you can save some money on guys like Jake Marisnick ($4,000), Yuli Gurriel ($3,200) and Tyler White ($2,900). It'll be a little harder to spend on the Red Sox since they're going against a new pitcher in Zach Plesac. Also, Rafael Devers ($5,600) got a major price bump and Andrew Benintendi ($4,700) has lacked consistent power all season.
If you're looking for value, this isn't a terrible day for the Tigers or Marlins. Bundy has had some decent outings, but he still has an ugly .375 wOBA allowed to righties and 5.52 xFIP against lefties. Miguel Cabrera's ($3,700) price has steadily gone up with a .371 BABIP in his last 88 PA against righty arms. For GPP, Niko Goodrum ($3,500) is slowly finding a groove and Bundy has a lower 17.0 K% against lefty bats, which should help. Any Marlins lefty can be used against Jeff Samardzija, who has allowed a .335 wOBA. The downside is that Miami is lacking lefties with Neil Walker ($3,900) and Curtis Granderson ($3,800) the main options.
The A's are a possible stack, but I'll look at value instead. Nick Tropeano is making his first start of the season after allowing a .354 wOBA to lefties last year. You could go with Robbie Grossman ($3,800) or Jurickson Profar ($3,600) at decent rates, or use righty Ramon Laureano ($3,400).
STACKS
Mariners vs. Adrian Sampson, Jesse Chavez, opener (Rangers)
(1B Edwin Encarnacion - $4,600), (OF Domingo Santana - $4,600), (SS J.P. Crawford - $3,300)
Sampson has had a couple good outings, but he's not a big strikeout pitcher and that could bite him against the Mariners, who are all about power with a .224 ISO against righties in May. You could throw Daniel Vogelbach ($5,200) or Mitch Haniger ($4,600) into this stack, but I went with a decent mix and the early lineup will first face Chavez, who hasn't allowed a run in his last 13.1 innings. Encarnacion provides the main power, Santana is a mix and Crawford has a .393 BABIP against righties in the last month.
Cardinals vs. Nick Pivetta (Phillies)
(OF Marcell Ozuna - $4,800), (OF Harrison Bader - $3,900), (OF Dexter Fowler - $3,600)
Pivetta was called back up after he started the season in the rotation, sporting an 8.35 ERA in four starts. He has allowed a career wOBA above .335 against both sides of the plate and that should benefit a Cardinals squad, which is struggling a bit. Ozuna is the power play with a .242 ISO in his last 102 PA against righty arms, while Bader leads the team with a .500 BABIP in his last 50 PA. If you prefer the lefty-heavy route, Matt Carpenter ($4,100) and Kolten Wong ($3,600) come at decent prices.
White Sox vs. Brad Keller (Royals)
(3B Yoan Moncada - $4,500), (OF Charlie Tilson - $3,500), (2B Yolmer Sanchez - $2,700)
The White Sox are another pick slightly under the radar, but in a good spot to produce against Keller. The righty hurler has an ugly 19.3 BB% against lefty bats and while he isn't giving up homers, he's giving up runs because of all the walks. You can throw Jose Abreu ($4,700) in for more power, but this stack is purely about getting on base against a guy that lets people get on base. Tilson has a .419 BABIP in the last month against righties (66 PA) and if James McCann ($4,100) starts, he's right behind on that list.
