This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Thursday's MLB main slate is modest, with seven games on tap after 7:05 p.m. ET. Below, you'll find which individual pitchers and hitters are primed to provide the best value, as well as the top lineup stacking options in this slate.
PITCHING
We have a limited number of quality arms in action here, and the most expensive pitcher in this slate -- Stephen Strasburg ($11,200) -- has a difficult matchup in Atlanta, so most owners will likely look further down the price spectrum.
Strasburg's opponent in this one carries plenty of strikeout upside himself. Braves lefty Max Fried ($8,300) has a 24.6 percent strikeout rate compared to a minuscule 6.9 percent walk rate, and his 3.36 xFIP suggests his 4.05 ERA is due to come down.
Kolby Allard ($7,700) has been a revelation for the Rangers since being acquired from the Braves. In five starts with Texas, Allard has a 2.81 FIP and 27:9 K:BB in 27 innings. He's been even better in three starts outside of hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington, bringing a 20:6 K:BB and .247 wOBA allowed over 16.1 road innings heading into this trip to Baltimore.
KEY VALUES/CHALK
The Red Sox, Rays and Pirates are set up for success in favorable matchups, but there's also value to be found outside of those three stackable lineups.
Owners who aren't believers in Fried should counter him with Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon ($4,400), who has a .444 wOBA against southpaws this season.
Astros second baseman Jose Altuve ($4,300) also excels against left-handed pitching, with a .488 wOBA in that split. That number could climb even higher against Mariners starter Marco Gonzales.
Switch-hitting Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco ($4,000) has a wOBA over .380 from the left side, and he should find further success against struggling Red Sox righty Nathan Eovaldi (6.23 ERA, 5.62 FIP).
STACKS
Red Sox vs. Twins (LHP Martin Perez)
J.D. Martinez (OF - $4,400), Xander Bogaerts (SS - $4,100), Sam Travis (C/1B - $2,800)
Perez has surrendered a .360 wOBA to batters from the right side on the road, and that number's likely to climb by the time Boston's high-powered lineup is through with him. Martinez has a tremendous .544 wOBA against lefties, Bogaerts has a .428 wOBA overall at Fenway Park, and the affordable Travis has a .391 home wOBA against southpaws.
Rays vs. Blue Jays (RHP Trent Thornton)
Austin Meadows (OF - $4,000), Nate Lowe (C/1B - $2,500), Avisail Garcia (OF - $3,100)
Thornton has a 5.34 ERA and 5.05 FIP overall this season, and he's been particularly hittable against the Rays, surrendering 14 runs in 11.1 innings over three starts. Meadows has a .386 wOBA against righties, and the left-handed slugger should add to Thornton's woes against Tampa Bay. Lowe also has the platoon advantage and a wOBA over .350 against righties, while Garcia has a .373 wOBA in righty-on-righty matchups at home.
Pirates vs. Marlins (RHP Elieser Hernandez)
Josh Bell (C/1B - $4,200), Bryan Reynolds (OF - $3,500), Adam Frazier (2B - $3,400)
Hernandez has struggled to get left-handed hitters out, allowing a .390 wOBA to the 134 batters he's faced from that side this season. The switch-hitting Bell has a wOBA over .400 from the left side, and the same is true for Reynolds. Frazier's over the .350 mark at home and leads off against righties.
