This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
If you usually spend top dollar on pitching, this probably isn't the slate to do it. Only two pitchers cost more than $9,400 so a lot of cash should go to hitting. Even better, the heat remains and there are no questions about Friday night's weather.
PITCHING
Jacob deGrom ($11,200) is the most expensive pitcher, though a tough matchup likely means he won't be the most popular option. He's pitching well and racking up strikeouts, yet while he went 8.1 innings against the Braves last meeting, I'm not sure I'd test my luck against them, especially at this price. They lead the league with a .266 ISO and .379 wOBA in June against righties.
That said, there isn't another hands-down option that'll put you at ease. Mike Clevinger ($9,400) probably has the best matchup and while he's coming off the DL, it was for a sprained ankle, so throwing 100 pitches isn't off the table. He has 29 strikeouts in three starts and the Orioles have a 25.3 K% and .283 wOBA against righty arms this month. Jose Berrios ($10,500), Cole Hamels ($9,200) and Lance Lynn ($9,000) are all viable, but Clevinger might be easiest to trust. Hamels may be the next safest as he's gone at least seven innings in his last five starts. The only worry is that the Reds have an 18.7 K% against southpaws in the last month. Lynn's matchup is a bit better as the Rays have fallen off with a 25.1 K% and .301 wOBA against righties in June.
The cheapest I'd go is either Anibal Sanchez ($8,400) or Eric Lauer ($7,700). Sanchez may get some love from his former Detroit fans and while his K% is down this year, he's gone six innings in each of his last three starts. Of course, the only reason to use him is that the Tigers have a 25.6 K% and .284 wOBA against righty hurlers this month. Lauer is in that same mold in that his lack of Ks is keeping his total numbers down. I'm still intrigued in this matchup because the Cardinals have been one of the worst against lefties in the last month with a 23.7 K% and .278 wOBA.
KEY VALUES/CHALK
The Dodgers-Rockies total is the highest on the slate (11.5), though it's not as high as normal, mostly because Hyun-Jin Ryu is on the mound. Ryu has awesome numbers this season, but Nolan Arenado ($4,500) will likely draw attention with a .609 OBP in 21 at-bats between the two. You could go with any Rockies righty, though I'd still be slightly concerned against Ryu, even at Coors. It's a little easier to go against Antonio Senzatela, who has allowed a .403 wOBA to lefty bats. Cody Bellinger ($5,100) fits into that boat, as well as Max Muncy ($4,100) and Joc Pederson ($4,000).
The Pirates-Braves game is also a good place to focus with two iffy pitchers on the mound. Neither Chris Archer nor Jhoulys Chacin have had success returning to form. Archer is allowing at least a .349 wOBA to both sides of the plate and Chacin is at .335, though he's worse against righties. You could stack against either guy and feel good about it. Archer's 2.76 HR/9 allowed to lefties is worth attacking because that leads to Milwaukee's power bats in Christian Yelich ($4,600) and Mike Moustakas ($3,800). Keston Hiura ($2,200) is back in the squad and could be a popular value play with a .339 OBP in his last 56 plate appearances against righties.
If you like righty-righty matchups, Sonny Gray has allowed seven runs and four homers in his last two outings to go with a .351 OBP allowed to righty hitters. Kris Bryant ($4,000) and Javier Baez ($3,600) should be better in GPP because not many will spend on them, while David Bote ($2,500) is worth a look with a .222 ISO in his last 51 PA against righties.
STACKS
Pirates vs. Jhoulys Chacin (Brewers)
(SS Kevin Newman - $3,100), (OF Bryan Reynolds - $3,400), (1B Josh Bell - $4,500)
I prefer stacking the Pirates over the Brewers because you may get an extra inning of at-bats, especially as the underdog. Chacin's allowed 2.09 HR/9 to righties, but has a 6.47 xFIP against lefties, so anyone is viable. This stack is at the top of the order, but you could go cheaper and grab Adam Frazier ($2,700), Jose Osuna ($2,800) or Elias Diaz ($2,500). As a team, the Pirates have roped righties in June with a .360 OBP and .350 wOBA, two of the better rates in the league.
Nationals vs. Daniel Norris (Tigers)
(3B Anthony Rendon - $4,500), (OF Juan Soto - $4,200), (1B Howie Kendrick - $3,100)
It's hard not to use at least one National against Daniel Norris, who gives up multiple runs every start and has a wOBA allowed above .330 against both sides of the plate. You could go all out with this roster, but I threw in Kendrick to make it a more reasonable stack. It helps that he has a .486 OBP in his last 35 PA against southpaws, while Soto and Rendon are slightly behind. All three provide power, as well, so that shouldn't be a problem. Brian Dozier ($2,500) has cooled off, though he's cheap and sports a .389 OBP and .382 ISO in his last 36 PA against lefties.
Royals vs. Sean Reid-Foley (Blue Jays)
(OF Whit Merrifield - $3,700), (1B Cheslor Cuthbert - $2,800), (OF Jorge Soler - $3,100)
There aren't many recent numbers that support stacking the Royals, but I'd rather back them than Reid-Foley in this spot. He gave up three runs in two innings in his first start and has a 5.87 ERA in 13 Triple-A starts. If anyone is to have success for KC, it'll likely be this trio. They all have OBPs above .330 against righties in the last month, though Soler is the only one bringing pop with a .344 ISO. The prices are low for a reason, but in the right matchup, this team can hit.
