3 MLB FanDuel Studs to Target on 8/15/18
Gerrit Cole, P, Houston Astros
Price: $10,400
Gerrit Cole owns both the lowest skill-interactive ERA (SIERA; 2.96) and highest strikeout rate (34.2%) among the starting pitchers in action on Wednesday. It's not especially closer, either, with the next-best SIERA coming in at 3.13 and the next-best strikeout rate sitting at 31.3%. Both of those marks belong to Hyun-jin Ryu, who will likely be limited as he returns from the DL. And if we look beyond Ryu? A 3.22 SIERA or 26.7% strikeout rate are the best you can do.
As the clear-cut top arm in action today, Cole's matchup helps lock him in as the top fantasy play, as well.
The Colorado Rockies have been awful against right-handed pitching this season, ranking only 29th in wRC+. Their .158 ISO and .295 wOBA when facing righties away from Coors are also good for only 20th and 28th, respectively, among all teams in that particular split.
The Houston Astros are the day's second-biggest favorites (-202 moneyline) and the Rockies have the lowest implied total (3.14), making Cole an elite option in all formats.