They say everything is bigger in Texas, but I’m not sure Max Scherzer ($11000) and Justin Verlander ($10200) need the backdrop of the Lone Star State to hype up this matchup. The two-time former teammates will face off at 8:05 p.m. ET Wednesday as the Texas Rangers try to right the ship and the Houston Astros look to keep rolling.
If this battle seems too uncertain from a daily fantasy perspective, you can still roster an ace to build your stack. It’s worth noting that most rosters I built with the Contrarian Edge Optimizer today paired an ace with a cheaper option to lock in pitching value. The other ace taking the mound Wednesday is Spencer Strider ($12300) against St. Louis at Truist Park. Strider has at least 9 strikeouts each of his last three outings and will face a Cardinals team that is 4-6 in their last 10.
On the hitting side there are intriguing stacks to build around in a robust early slate or the main slate tonight. If you’re looking at the afternoon games, look no further than the Diamondbacks vs the Rockies' Chris Flexen at Chase Field. Flexen faced the D-Backs less than a month ago in Arizona and -- while he went six innings and struck out six -- he also gave up four earned runs including a home run to Christian Walker ($4600).
Walker will be leading my stacks today at 1B. He went 2 for 4 vs Flexen in August, but he’s been hot. Walker is slashing .319/.390/.593 with seven home runs over the last 30 days. Back him up with Geraldo Perdomo ($3400) for a cost-effective play at SS who has been on base at a .344 clip in the last month.
If you’re looking for a stack during the main slate on Draft Kings, check out Braves against the Cardinals. The Braves' Eddie Rosario ($4000) gives you a reasonably priced outfield option who has been slashing .308/.386/.522 with four home runs and two stolen bases over the last 30 days while hitting sixth in the best lineup in baseball. You can choose from a slew of elite options at the top of that lineup, but I like Ozzie Albies ($5700) at 2B. Albies has been excellent dating back to early August with a .333/.378/.507 slashline while hitting four home runs and stealing three bases.
Stacking Braves can be pricey, so pair that with a more cost-effective leadoff option from the Los Angeles Angels. Check the lineups before first pitch, as the Angels have played around with their lineups as of late. Nolan Schanuel ($3500) and Luis Regnifo ($4100) have been excellent at leadoff and could do damage against Kyle Gibson, who is gave up seven earned runs and struck out only two against the White Sox.
That outing was not an anomaly. Gibson has struggled in five games started dating back to August 5. He’s thrown 29⅔ innings with a whopping 7.89 ERA. While his 5.21 FIP indicates he’s been unlucky, that mark wouldn’t be a great month, either.
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