Pitching Ace: Blake Snell, San Diego Padres

When it comes to MLB DFS top pitchers, Blake Snell stands out like a shining star. Snell, the front-runner for the National League Cy Young Award, is a must-have in your daily fantasy baseball lineups tonight. He’s set to face the Colorado Rockies on his home turf in San Diego, presenting a golden opportunity for fantasy points.

Why Snell Shines:

• Cy Young Favorite: Snell’s -900 MLB odds to win the NL Cy Young make him the heavy favorite.
• Exceptional ERA: With an MLB-best 2.43 ERA, Snell’s pitching prowess is undeniable.
• Strikeout Machine: Snell’s 11.69 K/9 ranks second in the Majors, a recipe for racking up fantasy points.
• Home Run Suppression: He allows homers at a mere 0.81 per 9 rate, the fourth-lowest in the league.
• Winning Streak: Snell is on a roll with 14 wins this season, close to his career-best.

The Rockies’ Struggles: The Colorado Rockies have been struggling offensively all year. With a wRC+ of 78, they sit at the bottom of the league. When it comes to facing lefties like Snell, they have an abysmal 59 wRC+, a high strikeout rate at 28.3%, and a low walk rate at 6.8%.

Expect Snell to cruise through this matchup, keeping his opponents at bay while amassing enough run support to potentially secure his 15th win of the season.

Luis Castillo: A Solid Option

Don’t overlook Luis Castillo, who’s available at $10,900 and faces the Oakland Athletics with a modest 3.13 implied team total. The A’s have struggled against right-handed pitching this season, with a fantasy-friendly 24.8% strikeout rate.

While Castillo may not have the sheer firepower of Strider or Snell, his 3.69 SIERA, 27.2% strikeout rate, and 6.4% walk rate make him a strong candidate in this favorable matchup.

Zac Gallen: The High-Ceiling Option

Zac Gallen, priced at $10,600, presents an interesting high-ceiling option in a neutral matchup against the San Francisco Giants. Gallen’s recent performances have been a bit of a rollercoaster, but he has the potential to explode for fantasy points.

Gallen boasts a 25.7% strikeout rate, which is solid but not elite. However, his 5.3% walk rate ranks eighth among qualified starters, allowing him to go deep into games. He’s second in innings pitched this season, keeping him inside the top 10 in total strikeouts.

While Gallen might not be the safest choice, his upside is undeniable, and he’s likely to be less popular than other top pitchers.

Value Play: Clarke Schmidt

If you’re looking for a value play, consider Clarke Schmidt at a budget-friendly $7,500. He’s set to face the Toronto Blue Jays, who are expected to start six right-handed hitters.

Schmidt’s performance against righties this season has been impressive, with a 3.53 xFIP, 26.0% strikeout rate, and 4.2% walk rate in same-handed matchups. He’s also been given more pitch count leeway lately, regularly exceeding 94 pitches in his last five outings.

While Schmidt may not match the top-tier pitchers in fantasy points, his affordable price tag can free up valuable salary cap space for other positions in your lineup.