Top Tier
Julio Urias, Los Angeles Dodgers ($9.6K on DK and FD)
Looking for his 10th win, Urias takes the mound at home tonight as a -175 favorite according to the opening lines. He's won five of his last six starts and faces a Phillies team which owns the fifth highest strikeout rate (27.5 percent) versus left-handed pitching this season. Focus on his 3.56 ERA with 85 strikeouts against 11 walks over 78.1 innings along with a WHIP below one and pay up for an ace at home on this slate.
Trevor Rogers, Miami ($10K on DK and FD)
This recommendation comes with a little trepidation since the Cardinals hit southpaws well (.341 weighted on-base average) and .191 isolated power. But, going with talent over lineup in this match-up. Rogers has won seven of his 10 decisions this season with a 2.02 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 75.2 innings of work. Representing the consensus National League Rookie of the Year candidate, he can add to his resumé with a win over St. Louis on the road but he's a tournament option, not for cash games.
Mid Tier
Mike Minor, Kansas City ($9.2K on DK, $8.8K on FD)
If zigging against the grain, and saving money on Fan Duel with eyes on the win bonus, Minor's your guy. He's 2-1 his last four starts with a 3.24 ERA and a .189 batting average against through 25 innings. His last time out, he held the A's to one earned run over seven innings giving up three hits and a walk while striking out eight. Detroit's pesky but Minor possesses a 2-2 career record facing them with 40 strikeouts in 39.2 innings of work.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, Toronto ($9K on DK, $8.5K on FD)
Again, it's an odd slate with southpaws everywhere and similar price points. Ryu may be low owned with the Yankees on tap in Buffalo (Sahlen Field) but he's 1-0 versus them this year with a 1.50 ERA and a 12:2 K:BB during 12 innings. It's strange, but he has recorded a 2-1 record in Sahlen with a 3.28 ERA and a 31:10 K:BB at his home away from home. If looking for a pivot at low ownership, this may be the way.
Bargain Arms
Patrick Corbin, Washington ($7K on DK and FD)
Sometimes one needs to see the forest past the trees. Corbin's 6.21 ERA accompanies a 4.85 SIERA so there's potential for positive migration to the mean. He's not expensive on a slate heavily slanted towards hitters and the Pirates own a minuscule .138 isolated power facing left-handed pitching this season with a 78 weighted runs created plus metric (wRC+). Not saying Corbin notches the quality start bonus with a chance to win and five-plus strikeouts, also not saying it's out of the realm of possibilities. Feeling lucky?
Sammy Long, San Francisco ($6.2K on DK, $5.5K on FD)
Looking for your Hail Mary on this slate, search no further. He's not Sam "Mayday” Malone, however, he may be Sammy "K's in play” all night Long. During his major league debut, he struck out seven over four innings allowing a hit, an earned run and a walk. Working as the bulk reliever, this match-up sets up well facing a team with 20 straight road losses along with no announced pitcher at the time of this publishing. In the robust hitterish PCL, Long made two appearances racking up 15 strikeouts in 7.2 innings. Arizona enters tonight's game with a 25.2 strikeout rate on the road and a 76 wRC+. Cue up Lionel Richie, “All Night Long”...