Split slate today so will provide one early slate stack, and two ideas for the evening slate.  Currently, Arizona leads the way for the early slate, but will have to fade Cueto to fully have exposure to them.   Houston, the Cubs, and  Washington continue to be the typical strong teams to target for the eight game main slate tonight.  McCullers sits $1.5K above the next tier of pitching options in Lester and Price tonight on DK, but only $200 separate the three of FD.  Y! Has Odorizzi thrown into the mix as their second highest priced pitcher behind Lance.  Depending on which site you play, and which pitcher you build your team around, will help narrow down which stacks you can attack.  While the three big bat’s teams listed above are all in play, below are some other possible stacks to help separate yourself in gpp’s tonight.

As always, things can change based on lineups and weather, so do stay up to date using the Playbook Pro tools.  Below are my favorite stack options for the day.  Good luck!

Stacks for Thursday, June 8

Detroit

The Tigers join the D-Backs as what should be the two popular team targets for the early slate.  The Angels are sending J.C. Ramirez and his three straight road wins to the mound today.  He is sitting at a 4.11 ERA, and has allowed eight HR’s over his past five starts, including two in a loss to the Tigers.  The Tigers have the ability to score in bunches, scoring three or more runs in an inning 8.0% of their innings played this season (Rank: 2nd of 30 in MLB.)   While Ramirez doesn’t have horrible control issues, Tigers hitters have drawn 184 walks in 1,774 PAs (10.4%) versus RHP this season (Rank: 1st of 30 in MLB).

Top Stack Suggestions: 

Detroit:  Miguel Cabrera, Justin Upton, J.D. Martinez, Alex Avila.  Also like cheaper option in Romine.

Alternative Stack:  Arizona stack, or Giants against the 30yr old rookie call up in Espino.

Miami @ Pittsburgh

This is a game where I don’t see too many people targeting for stacking purposes tonight, but has the ability to be a high scoring affair.  Of course. There’s also the ability for a dud in this game, so if wanting to play it safer, Houston, Washington, and the Cubs in that order are my three favorite team for the evening slate. 

Cole receives the start for the Pirates tonight, and although at time he has looked like his old stuff, too many times he has not.  That includes 18 hits and 6 homer runs over his last two starts, both lasting five innings vs the Mets.  If thinking it was just the Mets who got to Cole, he allowed 10 hits and 2 HR’s the start before vs the Braves.  Those 8 total homers are one more than his total from his first nine combined starts.  While Stanton has taken Cole deep in the past, Yellich checks in with the BvP special, having gone 7-14 with 3 homers lifetime vs Cole.

The Marlins have Edinson Volquez, who threw a surprise no-hitter for his second straight win in his last start.  He had six straight losses before then, and has walked at least two batters in nine straight starts.  Edinson Volquez has walked 12 of 62 batters (19.4%) with RISP this season (Rank: 154th of 157 qualified SPs in MLB), but holding right-handed batters to hitting .190 against him this season (Rank: 18th of 179 qualified SPs in MLB; League Avg: .256).  The Pirates have been playing better as of late, but still head home on a two game losing streak. They have scored at least 5 runs in five of their last six games, including over 10 runs twice.

Top Stack Suggestions: 

Miami: Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, JT Realmuto, Tyler Moore or Riddle if starting.

Pittsburgh:  Andrew McCutchen, David Freese, Josh Bell,  Adam Frazier or Polanco depending on leadoff spot.

*Alternative to this stack:  Late night hammer Twins and Mariners full game stack.

Phillies @ Atlanta

This game is actually tied currently for the highest projected game total at 9.5 runs tonight, with the game practically sitting at a pick’em.

R.A. Dickey has zero control this season, which means team can sit and wait for him to force one over the plate.  He’s walked five batters in each of his last two games, and has allowed at least three runs in seven straight starts.  During that span, Dickey has a 6.05 ERA and only a 3.5 K/9 rate.  Saunders, Galvis, and Herrera have all taken him deep before, and only one of their projected starters has yet to record a hit against Dickey (Joseph).  Phillies hitters are averaging 4.0 Pitches per Plate Appearance versus RHP this season (Rank: 4th of 30 in MLB), so the patience is there for them.

The Mets face Lively tonight from the Phillies, who is making his second start after recording a win vs the Giants in his first game this season.  He only had 45 K’s in 56 innings in the minors, and failed to punch out a batter in seven innings vs the Giants.  The Braves have either scored double digit runs, or allowed that many in three of their last four games.  Two of the three games in this series totalled 15 runs.

Top Stack Suggestions: 

Phillies:  Michael Saunders, Odubel Herrera, Aaron Altherr, Freddy Galvis

Braves:  Matt Kemp, Matt Adams, Nick Markakis, Kurt Suzuki or whichever catcher starts.

Alternative stack:  Full game Houston at Royals, going risky against Lance.  Note:  Perez is 3-8 with 3 HR’s off Lance.