This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Thursday's Main MLB slate is modest, with just seven games on tap after 7:07 p.m. ET. Below, you'll find which individual pitchers and hitters are primed to provide the best values, as well as the top lineup stacking options in this slate.
Pitching
This slate is headlined by a pair of top-tier starters in Justin Verlander ($12,000) and Patrick Corbin ($10,000), but neither has an easy matchup against the Athletics and Twins, respectively. As a result, owners may opt to spend big on bats and pinch pennies on the mound.
Cincinnati's Tyler Mahle ($6,600) is an intriguing option for owners following the latter strategy. His 3.91 xFIP suggests the 24-year-old righty has out-pitched his 4.94 ERA, and Mahle offers excellent strikeout upside in Seattle. His strikeout rate is 23.8 percent, while the Mariners whiff at the third-highest pace (9.79 times per game).
While Rich Hill ($7,800) looks like an appealing option on paper in Baltimore, the Dodgers' veteran lefty is only expected to pitch two innings in his return from a strained flexor tendon, so he's best avoided.
Key Values/Chalk
The Dodgers, Braves and Rangers are all set up for success here, but there's value to be found outside of those three stackable lineups as well.
Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers ($3,900) has a .409 wOBA against righties this season, and the left-handed slugger should continue his success against one-time Boston starter Clay Buchholz, who has a 5.31 ERA and 5.15 FIP for the Blue Jays.
Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez ($4,400) is another potent left-handed batter who has teed off on right-handed pitching. He has a .447 wOBA in that split, and A's starter Homer Bailey brings a 6.38 road ERA into this meeting in Houston.
Trey Mancini ($3,500) has a .360 home wOBA overall and a .401 mark at Camden Yards against lefties, so Baltimore's first baseman should find success against Hill and whomever follows him from the Dodgers' bullpen.
Stacks
Dodgers at Orioles (RHP Dylan Bundy)
Cody Bellinger (OF - $4,500), Joc Pederson (OF - $3,700), Matt Beaty (1B - $2,900)
Bundy has major problems with the long ball, having surrendered 69 home runs in 315.2 innings (1.97 HR/9) since the start of last season. The Dodgers are chock-full of left-handed power bats ready to add to Bundy's misery. Bellinger is the most obvious one, with 44 home runs overall and a .426 wOBA against righties in an MVP-caliber season. Pederson also brings excellent power out of the leadoff spot: All 32 of his home runs have come against right-handed pitching en route to a .376 wOBA in that split. Beaty lacks the raw power that his two above teammates offer, but he's been effective in his own right, with a .376 wOBA against righties that matches Pederson's.
Braves at Phillies (LHP Drew Smyly)
Ronald Acuna (OF - $4,100), Josh Donaldson (3B - $3,500), Ozzie Albies (2B - $3,400)
Smyly has tossed the occasional gem this season, but the southpaw's overall numbers (6.20 ERA, 6.44 FIP over 101.2 innings) leave a lot to be desired. Acuna has a .379 season wOBA and .397 career mark against lefties, while Donaldson's road wOBA against them this season is over .400. The switch-hitting Albies has always been much better from the right side, with a .442 wOBA from there this season compared to a meager .319 mark when batting left-handed.
Rangers vs. Rays (LHP Brendan McKay)
Delino DeShields Jr. (OF - $2,700), Elvis Andrus (SS - $3,200), Nick Solak (2B - $3,500)
McKay has had trouble getting righties out (.364 wOBA allowed), and things won't get any easier for the young lefty at Globe Life Park in Arlington, which boasts the league's second-highest park factor (1.19). DeShields has capitalized on the hitter-friendly conditions with a .459 home wOBA against lefties, Andrus has a .367 wOBA in that same split, and Solak has acclimated himself extremely well since debuting on Aug. 20, with an OPS over .980.
