It’s another Thursday with a lot of day games around baseball, so we’re only left with five games to build our SuperDraft rosters on the main slate. SuperDraft has a unique way to play with the “multiplier” mode where there is no salary cap, so enjoy picking everyone you want. Instead, the safer/chalkier players have lower multipliers, while the players that appear to have more risk have higher multipliers, allowing for more upside.
There appears to be rain in Philadelphia that could complicate the game between the Pirates and Phillies. Make sure that game plays and all your players are in their lineups.
Pitchers
Lance McCullers Jr., Houston Astros (1.4x score multiplier)
McCullers is having arguably the best season of his career and is in a good spot against an Angels team that has only scored 42 runs over the last 14 days (28th in MLB). The Angels have not fared well against right-handed pitching all season with a 24.4% strikeout rate (11th in MLB), .306 wOBA (19th) and 93 wRC+ (18th). This will also be the fifth time he has faced the Angels this season. He has been fantastic against them in the other four with 29 strikeouts in 25.2 innings pitched while allowing just six earned runs. If he can limit Shohei Ohtani and Jared Walsh (combined 4-27 against McCullers) then he should put up plenty of points.
Steven Matz, Toronto Blue Jays (1.75x)
Matz just faced this Twins team in his last start Saturday, recording his third straight win after striking out five batters in 5.2 innings, allowing two earned runs. Left-handed pitchers have had success against the Twins this season with a 23.2% strikeout rate (12th in MLB), .311 wOBA (22nd) and 97 wRC+ (21st). He also is pitching on the road where his ERA and WHIP both drop and his strikeout rate increases. It may feel risky, but the multiplier makes it worth it.
Hitters
Nick Castellanos, Cincinnati Reds (1.15x)
Castellanos is one of the premier hitters against left-handed pitching, so I’m just happy we get a multiplier above 1.0. Patrick Corbin has been very up and down this season giving up five or more earned runs in a whopping nine of his 29 starts. Five of those starts have come since Aug. 8. Going back to 2019, Corbin is allowing a .345 wOBA, .208 ISO and 37.2% hard contact rate to right-handed hitters.
Kyle Farmer, Cincinnati Reds (1.85x)
Farmer may not be a huge power hitter, but he gets a lot of hits and with this multiplier his points can rise quickly. Since 2019 he has done very well against left-handed pitching with a .357 wOBA, .208 ISO, and 45.5% hard contact rate. I’m surprised his multiplier is this high, so I’ll take advantage of it.
Alex Bregman, Houston Astros (1.25x)
Alex Cobb has been better since July, but he has only made five starts so I’m not putting much stock into that streak. Since 2019, Cobb has been vulnerable against right-handed hitters, allowing a .327 wOBA, .190 ISO and 40.4% hard contact rate. Bregman is known for being a great hitter against left-handed pitching, but he’s also lethal against righties (.366 wOBA, .214 ISO, 40% hard contact rate since 2019).
Slate overview
I don’t want to use Luis Castillo because he has been very inconsistent this season and the Nationals don’t strike out very often. I have no issues with playing Aaron Nola, I just prefer the pitchers above with much higher multipliers. For hitters, the Reds are my favorite stack. They are in the best hitters park on the slate, Corbin has been shelled multiple times this season, and the Reds need a win to keep pace in the Wild Card race. I think the Rangers are in a good matchup as well but with them being the Rangers there is a lot more risk in my opinion.
This article expresses the personal views of the writer and does not reflect the view(s) of SuperDraft in any way.
Click here to join today’s $20 MLB MoonShot Challenge with $2,000 in guaranteed prizes!
Like this content? Subscribe to FTN today to receive the latest in fantasy news. Use promo code: SUPERDRAFT to receive 10% off on all packages on all 3 sites (FTNFantasy, FTNDaily, FTNBets).
