Welcome to today's daily fantasy post! Remember that you can find our posts on the new DFS home page, as well as the fantasy page. Bookmark those sites now!
Also, please scroll to the bottom of this article to see the latest tweets from Ryan Fowler (@FOXSportsFowler), D.J. Foster (@FOXSportsFoster), Adam Meyer (@FOXSportsMeyer) and me (@jhalpin37). That way, if information surfaces for any last-minute changes, you can see our thoughts instantly.
Let's get to today's interesting facts, using DraftKings prices. Remember that there's a six-game afternoon schedule that gets underway with Braves-Phillies at 12:10 p.m. ET, and note that the 12:10 Tigers-Indians game is not part of DK's "all-day" slate. Please note that much of the information in this post is being published several hours prior to game times, so check MLB lineups later to confirm that any recommended players are included.
5 Things to Watch:
1. Johnny Cueto is the highest-priced pitcher at $11,800, and the biggest favorite at -210 over the visiting Rockies. Cueto's game has the lowest projected run total at seven, with the highest being Rangers-Red Sox at 10.5. Doesn't anyone have faith in Martin Perez anymore?
2. Injury news that could affect your lineup choices: Jhonny Peralta left Tuesday's game with left thumb discomfort ... Shin-Soo Choo was removed from his game due to lower back tightness ... Nick Castellanos was scratched Tuesday due to an illness ... Denard Span (neck) hopes to be back in the lineup on Friday ... Justin Bour might be out all week with an ankle injury ... Brandon Moss (ankle) is on the DL, and Randal Grichuk ($3,400) has been called up to take his roster spot.
3. Yo, BvPers: Billy Butler ($3,000) has five homers in 37 at bats vs. Ervin Santana, but will the A's let him play? ... Troy Tulowitzki ($3,900) has three homers in 31 at bats vs. Ian Kennedy, and has homered three times in his last four games.
4. The D-backs rank seventh in wOBA over the last 30 days, but they've also struck out more than any other team over that span. Tonight, they face San Diego's Colin Rea ($7,200), who has whiffed 18 batters in 17 1/3 innings over his last three starts while averaging 20.2 DK points.
5. Of the batters facing lefthanded pitchers today, the one with the highest wOBA is Cardinals OF Stephen Piscotty ($4,600) at .453. Piscotty has a 1.067 OPS with three homers in 92 plate appearances vs. southpaws and figures to bat cleanup against Jeff Locke.
D.J. Foster's recommendations for the day are below!
Yesterday's recap:
Adam Meyer recommended the Blue Jays as his stack of the day, and they came through with eight runs on 13 hits. Even more impressively, Meyer pegged Rickie Weeks Jr. as his deal of the day ... and he homered! Let's try to keep the momentum going on Wednesday.
Must-Start of the day: Jacob deGrom, NYM
He hasn't been dominant this season, but he's a big favorite (-185) against Justin Nicolino and the Marlins. In his last 10 starts, deGrom has 61 K in 50 IP and a 1.04 WHIP, so a $10,000 price tag given his matchup isn't too shabby at all. He's the best value ace on Wednesday.
Deal of the day: Shelby Miller, ARI
He's been brutal this year, but at least he's going deep into games. Miller has gone at least five innings in seven straight starts, and I'm willing to take a chance on any pitcher priced at $4,600 against the Padres. It's risky, but with some run support, Miller could be in line for a win. It's the Padres, after all.
Avoid of the day: Anthony Rizzo, CHC
Rizzo struggles against Anthony DeSclafani, as he's just 1-for-17 with four strikeouts against him lifetime.
Stack of the day: Washington Nationals
The Nationals are big favorites (-180) against Matt Garza, who has struggled in his few starts this season as well as historically against Washington. Garza has allowed a .325 batting average to the Nationals in 117 at-bats, which bodes well for Washington's stack on Wednesday.
Starting pitchers:
Jacob deGrom, NYM: "Must-start of the day"
Shelby Miller, ARI: "Deal of the day"
Sonny Gray, OAK: I'm a glutton for punishment with Gray, who has burned everyone multiple times this year. Still, he's $5,900 against a Twins team that is 23rd in team OPS this season. For what it's worth, Vegas thinks this game is a pick 'em. I'll take Gray's upside at this price.
Catchers:
Travis d'Arnaud, NYM: Gets the lefty-righty matchup against Justin Nicolino, the lowest-priced pitcher on Wednesday.
Buster Posey, SF: Historically better against lefties than righties.
First basemen:
Chris Davis, BAL: Bud Norris has struggled against powerful left-handed bats, and Davis has 5 HR in his last 10 games.
C.J. Cron, LAA: Has five homers in his last five games, only $3,900 vs. Drew Smyly.
Second basemen:
Jose Altuve, HOU: Hard to go wrong with him against a mediocre (or worse) lefty.
Daniel Murphy, WAS: The Nationals have good BvP numbers against Matt Garza, and Murphy is hitting .347 this season.
Third basemen:
Kris Bryant, CHC: He has 6 HR in his last 10 games and DeSclafani struggles against good right-handed hitting.
Anthony Rendon, WAS: Part of our Nationals stack and is hitting .323 over his last 10 games.
Shortstops:
Jordy Mercer, PIT: He's a specialist against lefties, as he owns a .939 OPS against them this season.
Corey Seager, LAD: Hitting .361 over his last 10 games.
Outfielders:
Brett Gardner, NYY: He's 9-for-26 lifetime against Miguel Gonzalez.
Jayson Werth, WAS: 8-for-20 against Matt Garza.
Matt Holliday, STL: Always good against lefties and has a .950 OPS against Jeff Locke lifetime.
