Top Stack: Houston Astros
As mentioned in the hitting coach, four game slates are tough to figure out. Those that max enter lineups could likely cover a large majority of the stack options available, which makes the single, or limited entry gpp’s your best option. Although Verlander will be the popular and expensive pitcher, the Astros hitters also slide into the role of the top stack team for me. I know they are DK only, but not 100% sold on the Indians vs Rodon today.
Montas takes the mound for the A’s today, and will try to slow down a Houston offense that has scored 19 runs over the first two games of this series. Montas has only allowed three earned over 21.2 innings this year, but got hit hard in two appearances from the bullpen vs. the Astros last year.
Evan Gattis has led the way for Houston in this series with three homers, and ten RBI over his last two games. While the top options in José Altuve , Carlos Correa , and George Springer are all in play, taking Gattis with some cheaper Houston bats in Josh Reddick and possibly Marwin González will allow for a Houston stack with Verlander. Marwin took Montas deep in their matchup last season, while Reddick could be in a spot to drive in all the power bats in front of him.
Contrarian Stack: Colorado Rockies
For FD, I don’t mind a sneaky Marlins stack, but I like the Rockies across the board as a possible low owned stack for this afternoon. The Rockies are starting to play better on the road, and are looking for a series win vs. the Phillies with Velasquez taking the mound. He’s coming off a career worst ten earned over 3.2 innings to the Brewers. He wasn’t horrible before that blow up, but has allowed ten homers at home this year, including eight over his last five home starts. Once again, if taking Verlander on DK, feel free to look at a cheaper Carlos González , who is 6-12 with a homer off of him. While Gattis is hot for Houston, Trevor Story is on a streak of five straight games with multiple hits. Charlie Blackmon is batting over .325 over his last ten games, but could go sneaky with a lower owned Nolan Arenado , who just can’t find his bat on the road so far this year.
Overall, I’m thinking the Astros and Indians will be the popular stacks, which leaves the other teams all in play as solid pivot options, except for the A’s in my opinion. I actually think you could see some solid ownership numbers with a White Sox stack, but prefer the Rockies more if looking for an underdog to target.