This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
There's a slight worry for rain in Kansas City, but otherwise, it's mostly clear for Friday night. Even if that game gets cancelled, there are numerous routes to take whether you want to spend on a strikeout king or put a little more cash into bats at Coors Field.
PITCHING
There's a nice range of pitching options Friday and I don't think the most expensive guys are worth it. Blake Snell ($11,200) is a bit pricey for someone that has only gone more than six innings once, while Chris Sale ($10,800) faces the Astros again. Both can hit 10 strikeouts, but there are ways to save money.
Noah Syndergaard ($10,600) is inconsistent, though faces the Tigers, who have lost nine straight and sport a 26.5 K% and .270 wOBA against righties in the last month. Walker Buehler ($10,100) has hit at least 40 fantasy points in his last three starts and should be near that number against the Pirates, who have a .309 wOBA against righty arms in the last month (that number jumped after hitting four HR and scoring 14 runs Thursday). Jose Berrios ($9,900) is a little harder to trust since he's given up 20 hits and nine runs in his last two starts, but Chicago strikes out a ton against righties (26.6 K%).
Robbie Ray ($8,700) is in the next level and while he isn't going deep into games, his 29.5 K% has helped him average 32.4 points per start. If you're looking to save more money, Pablo Lopez ($7,500) hasn't put together good back-to-back outings, but there's hope after allowing just one hit last start. It also helps that the Nationals are struggling to hit righty arms with a 25.1 K%, .115 ISO and .261 wOBA in the last month.
Joey Lucchesi ($7,000) is the furthest I'd stretch having allowed three runs or less in six of his nine starts. The Blue Jays struggle against southpaws with a 24.7 K% and .281 wOBA since the beginning of April. If you want to incorporate more risk into your squad, Drew Smyly ($5,600) and Kyle McGowin ($5,500) are in reasonable spots, but don't blame me if that doesn't work.
KEY VALUES/CHALK
There's a game at Coors Field and that's where most eyeballs will jump at first glance. John Means has posted respectable numbers for the Orioles, yet still has a 5.49 xFIP and minimal 14.7 K% against righty bats. If you back anyone from Colorado, it has to be a righty like Nolan Arenado ($4,700) or Trevor Story ($4,600). Of course, Brendan Rodgers ($3,100) could turn into a chalk play after some early success. It's less certain for the Orioles, but Jeff Hoffman doesn't have good career numbers in the majors, notably allowing a .384 wOBA to righties. Still, the most intriguing options for Baltimore are lefty bats like Jonathan Villar ($3,600) and Stevie Wilkerson ($3,400).
If you want to fade the sheep, there are other choices such as the Braves and Cardinals. Miles Mikolas gave up nine hits and seven runs in his last start, while Mike Foltynewicz has a 6.91 ERA through five outings. The lefties are the way to go for both teams, but Foltynewicz has an ugly .383 OBP allowed to 62 righties faced. That could lead to some extra love for Marcell Ozuna ($4,200), but Austin Riley ($3,600) will get looks given what he's doing, already with five homers in nine games. Otherwise, Nick Markakis ($3,600) and Dexter Fowler ($3,100) provide decent value for lefties, while Ozzie Albies ($2,900) and Brian McCann ($2,800) are bigger gambles.
The Angels are in a good situation because of Drew Smyly, but their numbers at home are mediocre against southpaws with a .157 ISO. I'm more intrigued by the Twins, who have a .253 ISO against righties at home over the last month. Reynaldo Lopez has looked better in recent starts, but has still allowed a .391 wOBA, 2.00 HR/9 and 3.1 K-BB% to lefty bats. That's perfect for the top of Minnesota's lineup with Jorge Polanco ($4,300), Eddie Rosario ($4,100) and Max Kepler ($3,600) a reasonably priced stack.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to look at the Brewers, who roasted Jerad Eickhoff for eight hits and five runs in only four innings just 10 days ago. Yasmani Grandal ($3,200) homered in that game, while both Keston Hiura ($2,700) and Orlando Arcia ($2,300) managed a hit against Eickhoff. Eric Thames ($2,700) is also in play if he can stay in the starting squad.
STACKS
Yankees vs. Jakob Junis (Royals)
(1B Luke Voit - $3,900), (SS Gleyber Torres - $3,900), (3B Gio Urshela - $2,800)
The Yankees are getting healthy and that's meant bad things for opposing pitchers, which will be the case for Junis, who has allowed a wOBA above .350 to both sides of the plate. You could use any mix of players and I'm only avoiding Gary Sanchez ($4,500) because he could be most popular. The listed trio provides upside (Torres), but also three of New York's most consistent bats against righties in the last month in terms of BABIP.
Athletics vs. Wade LeBlanc (Mariners)
(3B Matt Chapman - $3,700), (OF Stephen Piscotty - $3,100), (1B Matt Olson - $3,000)
LeBlanc has given up at least six hits in four starts and has already allowed six homers to only 70 righties faced. That's not a good stat against the Athletics, who have a .260 ISO against lefty arms at home since the beginning of April. Khris Davis has an injured hip, but this lineup is still potent. Chapman and Olson provide plenty of pop and Piscotty has a .500 BABIP in 47 PA against lefty arms. If you need to save a few more, Mark Canha ($2,800) and Chad Pinder ($2,600) are also viable.
Mets vs. Gregory Soto (Tigers)
(OF J.D. Davis - $2,600), (3B Todd Frazier - $2,500), (1B Pete Alonso - $3,900)
It's been a good strategy to go against the Tigers the last couple weeks and I'll employ that method here. Soto likely won't pitch more than four or five innings and Detroit's bullpen is sketchy at best. For Soto, his stat line through three starts isn't pretty: 10 IP, 16 H, 6 BB, 7 K, 12 ER. The Mets have also hit lefty arms well at home with a .238 ISO and .375 wOBA since the beginning of April. It makes sense to attack early because Soto won't pitch long, but due to injuries, Carlos Gomez ($2,300) and Juan Lagares ($2,000) provide nice value.
