We have a 12-game main MLB DFS slate on Wednesday, and finding a decent pitcher shouldn't be a problem. Jake Arrieta (@ Padres) and Kenta Maeda (@ Diamondbacks) are both in the top 10 of our daily starting pitcher rankings, but both pitch in the afternoon, taking them out of the equation for FanDuel and DraftKings main slate contests.
Two of the tougher calls today are James Paxton (@ Blue Jays) and Jimmy Nelson (vs. Marlins). Both have dominant stuff and great matchups, but as we saw from Paxton in his first start back from the DL last week, getting even five innings might be a stretch. Nelson will be making his first major lerague start since 2017, and even though he's been ramping up in the minors, chances are the Brewers will still take it easy with him. Both carry risks relative to their prices, especially on FanDuel, where quality starts are so important.
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Martin Perez (@ Indians) offers great value on DK, and Felix Pena (vs. A's) looks like the best value on FD, though he's also a concern in terms of lasting six innings (especially if the Angels use an opener in front of him). Yu Darvish (vs. Rockies) remains a major boom-or-bust GPP option, as does Carlos Carrasco (@ Twins), who has a much tougher matchup. Spencer Turnbull (vs. Rays), Trent Thornton (vs. Yankees), Anthony DeSclafani (@ Cardinals) are also boom-or-bust plays worth considering in tournaments.
Check the Fantasy Alarm Weather Center closer to lineup lock for the latest weather reports.
MORE WEDNESDAY MLB: DFS picks | Betting picks (coming soon)
Today's Daily Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Rankings: Wednesday, June 5
Updated wRC+ stats coming soon
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Opponent | Opp. wRC+ vs. LHP (rank) | Opp. wRC+ vs. RHP (rank) | FD | DK |
| 1 | Chris Sale | Red Sox | @ Royals | N/A | $11,500 | $10,600 | |
| 2 | Charlie Morton | Rays | @ Tigers | N/A | $10,400 | $11,600 | |
| 3 | James Paxton | Yankees | @ Blue Jays | N/A | $10,000 | $11,300 | |
| 4 | Kenta Maeda | Dodgers | @ D-backs | N/A | $8,700 | $8,800 | |
| 5 | German Marquez | Rockies | @ Cubs | N/A | $9,000 | $10,300 | |
| 6 | Mike Minor | Rangers | vs. Orioles | N/A | $9,600 | $10,800 | |
| 7 | Brad Peacock | Astros | @ Mariners | N/A | $8,600 | $9,600 | |
| 8 | Martin Perez | Twins | @ Indians | N/A | $8,900 | $7,400 | |
| 9 | Jake Arrieta | Phillies | @ Padres | N/A | $8,100 | $8,000 | |
| 10 | Felix Pena | Angels | vs. A's | N/A | $6,700 | $7,800 | |
| 11 | Jimmy Nelson | Brewers | vs. Marlins | N/A | $8,500 | $8,200 | |
| 12 | Carlos Carrasco | Indians | vs. Twins | N/A | $9,300 | $9,000 | |
| 13 | Yu Darvish | Cubs | vs. Rockies | N/A | $8,200 | $7,100 | |
| 14 | Spencer Turnbull | Tigers | vs. Rays | N/A | $8,000 | $8,600 | |
| 15 | Kevin Gausman | Braves | @ Pirates | N/A | $6,500 | $6,700 | |
| 16 | Trent Thornton | Blue Jays | vs. Yankees | N/A | $7,800 | $7,300 | |
| 17 | Joe Musgrove | Pirates | vs. Braves | N/A | $7,600 | $5,600 | |
| 18 | Anthony DeSclafani | Reds | @ Cardinals | N/A | $6,000 | $6,800 | |
| 19 | Anibal Sanchez | Nationals | vs. White Sox | N/A | $7,100 | $7,300 | |
| 20 | John Means | Orioles | @ Rangers | N/A | $7,200 | $5,800 | |
| 21 | Dakota Hudson | Cardinals | vs. Reds | N/A | $7,300 | $6,200 | |
| 22 | Sandy Alcantara | Marlins | @ Brewers | N/A | $6,100 | $6,600 | |
| 23 | Cal Quantrill | Padres | vs. Phillies | N/A | $6,200 | $6,000 | |
| 24 | Daniel Mengden | A's | @ Angels | N/A | $6,900 | $6,900 | |
| 25 | Dylan Covey | White Sox | @ Nationals | N/A | $6,100 | $5,000 | |
| 26 | Jason Vargas | Mets | vs. Giants | N/A | $6,400 | $7,200 | |
| 27 | Mike Leake | Mariners | vs. Astros | N/A | $7,000 | $6,000 | |
| 28 | Tyler Beede | Giants | vs. Mets | N/A | $5,900 | $6,400 | |
| 29 | Jakob Junis | Royals | vs. Red Sox | N/A | $6,200 | $7,000 | |
| 30 | Jon Duplantier | D-backs | vs. Dodgers | N/A | $5,500 | $6,100 |
wRC+ is defined by Fangraphs as "[measuring] how a player’s wRC compares with league average after controlling for park effects. League average for position players is 100, and every point above 100 is a percentage point above league average. For example, a 125 wRC+ means a player created 25% more runs than a league average hitter would have in the same number of plate appearances. Similarly, every point below 100 is a percentage point below league average, so a 80 wRC+ means a player created 20% fewer runs than league average." For more on the stat, click here.