It's an eight-game Thursday, with all but two games taking place in the afternoon. Many will likely sit out MLB DFS contests today, but if you're getting in early or just can't resist the two-game late slate (that might be one because of weather), we still have our daily starting pitcher rankings for you.
Noah Syndergaard (vs. Reds) checks in as our top-ranked guy, and this is one of the few times you can get him at a "value" price. As only the fourth highest-priced pitcher on DraftKings and sixth on FanDuel, Syndergaard is priced down, likely because of his early-season struggles. But his advanced stats are much better than his standard numbers, and the Reds are dead last in wRC+ against righties. Just as his teammate Jacob deGrom did last night, Syndergaard could easily get right against Cincinnati.
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There are several other solid pitchers on today's slate, and Ks should be easy to find. Mike Foltynewicz (vs. Padres) is probably the biggest wild card considering this is just his second start, but we like the value he brings on DraftKings. Jose Berrios (vs. Astros) hasn't been striking guys out at quite the level of some of the other top guys, but he usually works deep into games. He's priced up and has a brutal matchup, but conditions should favor pitchers today in Minnesota. Still, Syndergaard, Charlie Morton (@ Royals) and Stephen Strasburg (vs. Cardinals) probably offer more bang for your buck, especially the first two.
Tonight, you're looking at either David Price (@ White Sox), Lucas Giolito (vs. Red Sox), Tyler Skaggs (vs. Blue Jays), or Aaron Sanchez (vs. Angels). Price is clearly the top (and most expensive) option, but Giolito is a sneaky contrarian play consider he has the highest K-rate of the group. He also carries the most risk, as Boston's bats are heating up, but he's not a terrible option in tournaments. Skaggs vs. Sanchez is a matchup of pretty similar pitchers, at least in terms of advanced stats being worse than standard numbers, but Skaggs' significantly lower BB-rate gives him an edge.
The weather forecasts show a possibility of rain in Chicago for the Red Sox-White Sox tonight, so check the Fantasy Alarm Weather Center closer to lineup lock.
Today's Starting Pitcher Rankings: Thursday, May 2
Rank | Pitcher | Team | Opponent | Opp. wRC+ vs. LHP (rank) | Opp. wRC+ vs. RHP (rank) | FD | DK |
1 | Noah Syndergaard | Mets | vs. Reds | N/A | 68 (30th) | $9,000 | $9,400 |
2 | Charlie Morton | Rays | @ Royals | N/A | 104 (14th) | $9,400 | $9,000 |
3 | David Price | Red Sox | @ White Sox | 99 (T-13th) | N/A | $9,800 | $10,100 |
4 | Stephen Strasburg | Nationals | vs. Cardinals | N/A | 118 (T-3rd) | $10,900 | $10,300 |
5 | Mike Foltynewicz | Braves | vs. Padres | N/A | 78 (25th) | $9,200 | $7,800 |
6 | Jose Berrios | Twins | vs. Astros | N/A | 118 (T-3rd) | $10,300 | $9,900 |
7 | Brad Peacock | Astros | @ Twins | N/A | 113 (T-7th) | $7,500 | $7,600 |
8 | Jon Gray | Rockies | @ Brewers | N/A | 100 (15th) | $8,400 | $8,000 |
9 | Tyler Mahle | Reds | @ Mets | N/A | 97 (T-16th) | $7,000 | $5,900 |
10 | Tyler Skaggs | Angels | vs. Blue Jays | 80 (21st) | N/A | $8,300 | $9,400 |
11 | Freddy Peralta | Brewers | vs. Rockies | N/A | 73 (T-26th) | $6,200 | $8,600 |
12 | Aaron Sanchez | Blue Jays | @ Angels | N/A | 109 (10th) | $7,200 | $8,000 |
13 | Danny Duffy | Royals | vs. Rays | 99 (T-13th) | N/A | $6,300 | $6,400 |
14 | Dakota Hudson | Cardinals | @ Nationals | N/A | 94 (18th) | $6,000 | $6,800 |
15 | Matt Strahm | Padres | @ Braves | 133 (3rd) | N/A | $7,700 | $8,100 |
16 | Lucas Giolito | White Sox | vs. Red Sox | N/A | 92 (19th) | $6,900 | $6,400 |
wRC+ is defined by Fangraphs as "[measuring] how a player’s wRC compares with league average after controlling for park effects. League average for position players is 100, and every point above 100 is a percentage point above league average. For example, a 125 wRC+ means a player created 25% more runs than a league average hitter would have in the same number of plate appearances. Similarly, every point below 100 is a percentage point below league average, so a 80 wRC+ means a player created 20% fewer runs than league average." For more on the stat, click here .