Justin Elick 
Happy Thursday everyone! There is a short slate of games for the evening starting at 7:05 ET. With just four games on the schedule, it may be tough to differentiate your stacks. Let’s dig in and find some good spots!
MLB DFS Aces
Zac Gallen vs San Diego Padres
In my mind, Gallen is the clear top option on this slate. His matchup isn’t one that we are excited about, but I will take the top pitcher on a small slate against just about anyone.
Gallen has been elite this season, posting a 165/32 K/BB over 155.2 innings of work with a 3.24 ERA and 1.07 WHIP.
His last outing came against this same Padres team, and he was dominant as usual, tossing 6 scoreless innings and allowing just 4 hits and a single walk with 8 strikeouts.
He also faced the Padres in April, throwing 7 shutout innings with just 2 hits and 11 strikeouts. The Diamondbacks are small -120 favorites here, but facing Rich Hill, that looks like a smash play to me.
Lance Lynn vs Milwaukee Brewers
It is well-documented that I am not a Lance Lynn fan. That said, he has been nothing short of fantastic since joining the Dodgers rotation.
He has totaled 24.2, 23.9, and 30.3 DraftKings points in his last three starts with a 22/4 K/BB.
I would much rather target the Brewers lineup with Lynn than take the risk with Corbin Burnes on the opposite side against the Dodgers.
Burnes could be a nice pivot in tournaments, but Lynn makes the most sense here.
Tarik Skubal vs Cleveland Guardians
Targeting a low-strikeout team like the Guardians is generally a low-ceiling play. However, with limited options, I like the skillset that Skubal brings into this matchup.
He still has a 36/6 K/BB over 32 innings of work this season, and has alternated scoreless outings over his six starts. By that logic, he is due for a scoreless outing, right?
I say that in jest of course, but among the cheaper options, he is the only one I have interest in tonight.
MLB DFS Stacks
New York Mets vs Adam Wainwright
Adam Wainwright’s fall from grace has coincided with the Cardinals’ disaster of a season. If Waino was anything but the St. Louis legend he is, there is no way he would be starting MLB games right now.
He owns an 8.78 ERA and 2.08 WHIP with just a 39/26 K/BB across 66.2 innings in 2023. He has easily been the worst starter in MLB this season.
He has allowed 15 ER in just 4 innings of work over his last two starts.
Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Alvarez, DJ Stewart, and anyone else who brings a bat to the plate is in play here. The Mets are the obvious chalk on Thursday night.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs Rich Hill
I mentioned above how I love the Diamondbacks in this spot, and that includes the bats. Rich Hill has been serviceable this season, but still has an ERA north of 5 and a WHIP above 1.5.
Christian Walker is on fire, Kyle Lewis is a known lefty-masher (when healthy), Corbin Cartoll, and Ketel Marte are my top targets here. Lourdes Gurriel left last night’s game with an injury, so i wouldn’t expect to see him in the lineup here.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Corbin Burnes
On a small slate, we have to get creative. Burnes is an excellent pitcher, but has a daunting task ahead of him tonight against the potent Dodgers lineup.
The White Sox reached base 11 times in 5.2 innings against him in his last start, with 5 crossing the plate.
Prior to that, he had seven consecutive starts allowing 2 ER or less. This is far from a good matchup for the Dodgers, but you can build a unique lineup with some LA bats here.
Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts are essentially matchup-proof. Chris Taylor is a cheaper option who us hitting well, and James Outman should be back in the lineup with a righty on the mound.
I won’t be prioritizing Dodger bats, but they are a sneaky stack on a small slate.
MLB DFS Summary
Get some Mets and Dbacks in your lineups and lets take down some money tonight!
Find the team in the Win Daily Discord channel and let’s chat about some plays!
Good luck and hope to see you in the green.
Check me out on Twitter @BigItaly42 and let me know who you are playing tonight! Always around to talk some MLB!
