We have a fairly loaded set of starting pitcher rankings for Wednesday, regardless of which daily fantasy baseball slate you're playing. The main evening slate features an interesting mix of studs and sleepers, and you can go in a variety of directions when looking for the right SP on FanDuel and right combo of guys on DraftKings.
Robbie Ray (@ Rays), Charlie Morton (vs. D-backs), and Jack Flaherty (vs. Phillies) all go in the afternoon, but Brandon Woodruff (vs. Nationals) is nice alternative to those high-priced guys. He has an 11.2 K/9 ratio and a FIP (3.33) far lower than his actual ERA (4.71). Bottom line -- there are options despite only a handful of games.
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In the evening, Chris Sale (@ Orioles) and Matthew Boyd (vs. Angels) should be highly owned and have the most upside, but Kyle Hendricks (vs. Marlins) has the best matchup on the board. After his 81-pitch complete game last time out, he'll likely be on a lot of radars, especially at this bargain price, but he's an especially good SP2 on DraftKings. If you prefer to go a little cheaper, Jon Gray (vs. Giants) has been fantastic this year and gets a weak-hitting Giants team that just broke out for 14 runs last night. What are the odds they have it in them again? Conversely, what are the odds the Braves get dominated by a lefty (Clayton Kershaw) for a second night in a row?
Reynaldo Lopez (@ Indians) has a high K-rate and good matchup if you're willing to take a boom-or-bust ride in contests that include the 6:10 p.m. ET game, and Kyle Gibson (@ Blue Jays) could make it three Twins in a row to shut down the offensively challenged Blue Jays.
There are major rain worries in Colorado for the Giants-Rockies, so be sure to check with the Fantasy Alarm Weather Center closer to lineup lock.
MORE WEDNESDAY MLB: DFS picks | DK lineup | Betting picks (coming soon)
Today's Daily Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Rankings: Wednesday, May 8
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Opponent | Opp. wRC+ vs. LHP (rank) | Opp. wRC+ vs. RHP (rank) | FD | DK |
| 1 | Chris Sale | Red Sox | @ Orioles | 84 (T-21st) | N/A | $11,000 | $10,400 |
| 2 | Matthew Boyd | Tigers | vs. Angels | 75 (25th) | N/A | $10,300 | $9,500 |
| 3 | Charlie Morton | Rays | vs. D-backs | N/A | 96 (16th) | $9,500 | $10,100 |
| 4 | Kyle Hendricks | Cubs | vs. Marlins | N/A | 68 (30th) | $8,200 | $8,400 |
| 5 | Clayton Kershaw | Dodgers | vs. Braves | 110 (10th) | N/A | $10,200 | $10,200 |
| 6 | Shane Bieber | Indians | vs. White Sox | N/A | 105 (12th) | $10,000 | $9,200 |
| 7 | Jack Flaherty | Cardinals | vs. Phillies | N/A | 103 (14th) | $9,100 | $9,500 |
| 8 | Jon Gray | Rockies | vs. Giants | N/A | 82 (24th) | $7,500 | $8,000 |
| 9 | Sonny Gray | Reds | @ A's | N/A | 87 (T-20th) | $7,400 | $8,200 |
| 10 | Robbie Ray | D-backs | @ Rays | 93 (17th) | N/A | $8,500 | $9,100 |
| 11 | Brandon Woodruff | Brewers | vs. Nationals | N/A | 85 (T-22nd) | $7,700 | $7,700 |
| 12 | Matt Strahm | Padres | vs. Mets | 119 (5th) | N/A | $8,700 | N/A |
| 13 | Kyle Gibson | Twins | @ Blue Jays | N/A | 77 (26th) | $7,300 | $7,700 |
| 14 | Brad Peacock | Astros | vs. Royals | N/A | 109 (11th) | $7,600 | $8,600 |
| 15 | Tyler Skaggs | Angels | @ Tigers | 90 (18th) | N/A | $8,900 | $8,800 |
| 16 | Yusei Kikuchi | Mariners | @ Yankees | 99 (14th) | N/A | $7,200 | $7,300 |
| 17 | Brett Anderson | A's | vs. Reds | 104 (12th) | N/A | $7,100 | $6,500 |
| 18 | Reynaldo Lopez | White Sox | @ Indians | N/A | 70 (30th) | $8,000 | $6,800 |
| 19 | Mike Foltynewicz | Braves | @ Dodgers | N/A | 119 (3rd) | $7,800 | $9,000 |
| 20 | Jeremy Hellickson | Nationals | @ Brewers | N/A | 94 (17th) | $6,400 | $6,100 |
| 21 | Trent Thornton | Blue Jays | vs. Twins | N/A | 112 (T-7th) | $6,700 | $7,300 |
| 22 | Jerad Eickhoff | Phillies | @ Cardinals | N/A | 112 (T-7th) | $8,300 | $8,600 |
| 23 | Derek Holland | Giants | @ Rockies | 76 (24th) | N/A | $5,700 | $5,800 |
| 24 | Shelby Miller | Rangers | @ Pirates | N/A | 88 (19th) | $5,600 | $5,800 |
| 25 | Jonathan Loasiaga | Yankees | vs. Mariners | N/A | 116 (5th) | $6,000 | $8,400 |
| 26 | Jorge Lopez | Royals | @ Astros | N/A | 125 (1st) | $7,000 | $6,800 |
| 27 | Jose Urena | Marlins | @ Cubs | N/A | 121 (2nd) | $6,800 | $6,000 |
| 28 | Andrew Cashner | Orioles | vs. Red Sox | N/A | 99 (15th) | $6,500 | $5,400 |
| 29 | Wilmer Font | Mets | @ Padres | N/A | 85 (T-22nd) | $5,500 | N/A |
| 30 | Nick Kingham | Pirates | vs. Rangers | N/A | 111 (9th) | $5,500 | $7,300 |
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.