Three MLB Stacks to Target: Thursday, April 25th
Stacking has become a common strategy used in tournaments on FanDuel. The concept is simple – roster multiple players from teams with the best MLB odds to score the most runs.
This article will take a closer look at the three teams on FanDuel’s main slate with the highest implied run totals for April 25th.
Boston Red Sox (5.7 implied run total)
The Boston Red Sox will look to even their 4-game series with the Detroit Tigers as they host Jordan Zimmermann and a poor Tigers bullpen on Thursday night. Zimmermann has struggled to start the season with a 5.01 SIERA. His struggles center around having trouble generating soft contact (11.8%) and his inability to miss bats (17% strikeout rate).
This is a plus matchup for the Red Sox, who have seemingly been priced a tad too low for their matchup. J.D. Martinez ($4,000) is my favorite Boston bat to target, but other outfielders Mookie Betts ($3,900) and Andrew Benintendi ($3,800) are strong plays at their price tags as well. Rafael Devers projects to be a low-owned third base option at just $2,800 and is a good way to round out your Red Sox stack with a little power.
Seattle Mariners (4.7 implied run total)
Thursday night marks the opening game of a 4-game weekend series between the Rangers and Mariners in Seattle. A beleaguered Texas rotation called up Taylor Hearn to make a spot start for this game after scheduled starter Adrian Sampson was forced to throw three innings out of the bullpen on Wednesday.
This will be Hearn’s first Big League start and he’s looked relatively unimpressive to start the season in the Minors despite a high strikeout rate. Hearn has struggled with both walks (11.9 BB%) and HRs (1.35 HR/9) in the Minors. Struggles in both categories typically doesn’t translate to success against Big League hitters. All of Edwin Encarnacion ($3,500), Mitch Haniger ($4,300), Domingo Santana ($3,800) and Ryon Healy ($3,300) have power upside in this matchup. Daniel Vogelbach ($3,800) doesn’t have the platoon advantage against Hearn, which should lead to low ownership despite his extreme power surge to start the season.
Philadelphia Phillies (4.5 implied run total)
Thursday’s matchup between the Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies will pit Caleb Smith and Aaron Nola against each other. Smith has been excellent to start the season (3.10 SIERA, 33.3 K%) but will have to navigate a powerful Phillies lineup that has posted a .203 ISO against left-handed pitching to start the season.
Smith’s early season success should lead to relatively low ownership on Philadelphia hitters, especially Bryce Harper ($4,600), who won’t have the platoon advantage and is more expensive than other high-priced outfielders in better matchups (J.D. Martinez, Mookie Betts, et al.). Rhys Hoskins, who also figures to be low-owned, is coming off a big fantasy performance on Wednesday when he parlayed a triple and a HR for 37.4 fantasy points. J.T. Realmuto ($3,300) and Andrew McCutchen ($3,600) round out the Phillies top four hitters and are a good way to round out a full stack if you’re looking for low ownership with plenty of upside.