This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Even though the Twins-Tigers game was already postponed, Friday's slate is still full, albeit lacking true aces to stack your lineup around. There's also some rain expected for the Nationals-Pirates game so keep an eye on that before diving into those rosters, especially since Patrick Corbin could be a popular arm.
PITCHING
There isn't a dominant pitcher on the slate so there likely won't be a chalk play. Carlos Carrasco ($10,500) is most expensive and has some of the best odds, yet he hasn't made it more than five innings in either of his first two starts, giving up 16 hits. The Royals may not hit well, but their 19.6 K% against righty arms is reason enough to avoid Carrasco.
It makes a little more sense to back Patrick Corbin ($10,000) for slightly cheaper with better odds to win, though weather is an issue. He's gone six innings in both starts against the Mets and takes on a Pirates team that's only had 49 at-bats against lefty arms in the early season. Corbin may not reach last year's 30.8 K%, but even if he's close to that, should prove viable in most starts.
The most popular value play will likely be Drew Pomeranz ($6,500), who has hit at least 21 fantasy points in each of his first two starts. He may not have a ton of upside, but the Rockies usually struggle on the road and have managed a poor 25.6 K% and .270 wOBA against southpaws.
If you prefer looking in the mid-range, Jake Arrieta ($8,800) is a good bet and isn't overly expensive. He's walked nine batters in his first two outings, but only allowed four runs in 13 innings. Even better is that he faces the Marlins, who have a miserable 32.4 K% and .262 wOBA against righties.
KEY VALUES/CHALK
Most eyeballs will jump toward the over/unders in the Baltimore-Boston and Oakland-Texas games. The Red Sox are slowly figuring things out again and face an unreliable Davis Hess, who gave up a wretched .352 wOBA and 2.55 xFIP to lefty bats last year. That should mean even more love for Mitch Moreland ($4,000), who has homered in each of the last three games and even though Andrew Benintendi ($3,600) and Rafael Devers ($3,100) are struggling, they're also at discounts.
You can't overlook the Orioles against Eduardo Rodriguez, who has given up 16 hits and 11 runs in his first two starts. He had excellent numbers last year, but he's in a funk and it wouldn't hurt to test your luck with a righty bat like Trey Mancini ($4,100) or Jonathan Villar ($3,600).
If you want to follow everyone else, Drew Smyly hasn't gone more than 3.1 innings in either of his two starts and will likely have more trouble against the A's. That means any of their righty bats can be considered, though Khris Davis ($4,600) will likely be the most popular one with four homers in the last two games. If you prefer to save money, Chad Pinder ($3,200) and Jurickson Profar ($3,100) are at the top of the list for value. As for the Rangers, this is the perfect spot for Joey Gallo ($4,200) against Mike Fiers, who has never been a lockdown pitcher. Texas also has a few more value plays with Nomar Mazara ($3,500), Elvis Andrus ($3,400) and Shin-soo Choo ($3,300) all at reasonable rates.
If you want to go against everyone else, Chad Bettis has been beaten up for 11 runs in his first two starts and everyone on San Francisco is considered a value. The Giants may not be easy to trust, but guys like Brandon Belt ($3,000) and Buster Posey ($2,500) still have quality bats, with the former being more serviceable against righties with a .350 wOBA last season.
If you want to be a little safer and still find some value, Luke Weaver has continued to struggle against lefty bats after last year's .363 wOBA allowed and 4.88 xFIP. Finding a Padres lefty is difficult, but they're also cheap with Eric Hosmer ($2,900) one of the only regulars. I'd still consider Hunter Renfroe ($4,100) or a cheaper Manuel Margot ($2,400) since Weaver hasn't displayed many positives in his two starts.
STACKS
As usual, the Yankees should be a popular play at home against Lucas Giolito, who has picked up where he left last season with a 5.96 xFIP and .361 wOBA allowed to lefty hitters. That may not stop people from backing Aaron Judge ($4,800), but it'll be a little easier to use lefties in the lineup like Brett Gardner ($3,800) and Greg Bird ($2,800) even if their early numbers are underwhelming. You could either throw Luke Voit ($4,100) into the top of the lineup or revolve around Bird with Gleyber Torres ($4,400) and DJ LeMahieu ($3,800) in the middle, which would be a bit cheaper.
The A's continue to be a great stack, especially after the bottom of the order crushed the last time they faced a southpaw. You could test your luck with those guys again in Mark Canha ($2,600), Ramon Laureano ($3,000), Profar and Josh Phegley ($2,800), or play it safer where all the power is. That would have to mean throwing Davis into the lineup, likely with Pinder and Stephen Piscotty ($3,800). If you don't have the money for Davis, Marcus Semien ($3,900) can be used with the bottom of the order.
For GPP, the Padres could be in play against Weaver. That would have to involve Hosmer with Manny Machado ($4,200) and Renfroe if you have the money. But again, you could look near the bottom of the lineup with Luis Urias ($2,400) and Austin Hedges ($2,200) costing almost nothing against a pitcher that has struggled in his first two starts, going only 9.1 innings.
The Phillies always have the chance to go off and that includes against Sandy Alcantara, who only went four innings against the Braves last start, walking five. Grabbing Rhys Hoskins ($5,000) and Bryce Harper ($4,700) may not be possible, but anything with Maikel Franco ($4,000) near the bottom of the order could work. Odubel Herrera ($3,300) has a bit more power against righties, while Cesar Hernandez ($3,000) or Scott Kingery ($2,200) could be used in a value stack.
