Wednesday features a split slate of MLB DFS contests, with most of the action taking place tonight. Our daily SP rankings include both slates, plus the second game of the Royals-Cardinals doubleheader that isn't included on either FanDuel or DraftKings. We also have three openers today, so the list below is packed with names. The top of the rankings is as good as we've had in a while, and they're headlined by a Cy Young vs. Cy Young duel in New York.
While deciding between Jacob deGrom (vs. Nationals) and Max Scherzer (@ Mets) is a fun exercise on the evening slate, paying up a a bit more for Gerrit Cole (vs. White Sox) is probably the best move if you're paying a premium for pitching. For the afternoon slate, Luis Castillo (@ Brewers) is clearly the top option.
Watch ChangeUp, a new MLB live whip-around show on DAZN
There are plenty of other good pitchers a little further down the price scale, with Max Fried (@ Giants) and Frankie Montas (@ Indians) both having excellent matchups on paper. The former goes at night and the latter goes in the afternoon. Martin Perez (@ Angels), Marco Gonzales (@ Rangers), Zach Davies (vs. Reds), Rick Porcello (@ Blue Jays), and Daniel Norris (vs. Marlins) also make for great sleepers/SP2's on DraftKings.
Most of the tough matchups are reserved for bad pitchers, so there aren't really any obvious fades today.
No games are danger of being postponed today, but it's still always smart to check with the Fantasy Alarm Weather Center closer to lineup lock.
MORE WEDNESDAY MLB: DFS picks | DK lineup | Betting picks
Today's Daily Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Rankings: Wednesday, May 22
(O) = Opener | (PLR) = Primary long reliever
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Opponent | Opp. wRC+ vs. LHP (rank) | Opp. wRC+ vs. RHP (rank) | FD | DK |
| 1 | Gerrit Cole | Astros | vs. White Sox | N/A | 92 (19th) | $11,700 | $12,000 |
| 2 | Jacob deGrom | Mets | vs. Nationals | N/A | 83 (23rd) | $10,800 | $10,500 |
| 3 | Max Scherzer | Nationals | @ Mets | N/A | 97 (16th) | $11,100 | $11,100 |
| 4 | Luis Castillo | Reds | @ Brewers | N/A | 102 (13th) | $10,000 | $11,100 |
| 5 | Max Fried | Braves | @ Giants | 66 (T-29th) | N/A | $9,000 | $8,500 |
| 6 | Frankie Montas | A's | @ Indians | N/A | 77 (T-26th) | $8,700 | $9,500 |
| 7 | Cole Hamels | Cubs | vs. Phillies | 96 (16th) | N/A | $8,400 | $9,500 |
| 8 | Rich Hill | Dodgers | @ Rays | 90 (18th) | N/A | $8,300 | $10,200 |
| 9 | Jon Gray | Rockies | @ Pirates | N/A | 88 (20th) | $7,900 | $9,200 |
| 10 | Martin Perez | Twins | @ Angels | 77 (T-25th) | N/A | $9,400 | $8,700 |
| 11 | Marco Gonzales | Mariners | @ Rangers | 86 (21st) | N/A | $6,900 | $7,100 |
| 12 | Zach Davies | Brewers | vs. Reds | N/A | 75 (28th) | $8,600 | $8,600 |
| 13 | Daniel Norris | Tigers | vs. Marlins | 66 (T-29th) | N/A | $6,800 | $6,900 |
| 14 | Rick Porcello | Red Sox | @ Blue Jays | N/A | 77 (T-26th) | $7,800 | $8,200 |
| 15 | Aaron Sanchez | Blue Jays | vs. Red Sox | N/A | 106 (11th) | $7,200 | $7,200 |
| 16 | CC Sabathia | Yankees | @ Orioles | 80 (24th) | N/A | $7,500 | $7,400 |
| 17 | Yonny Chirinos (PLR) | Rays | vs. Dodgers | N/A | 116 (T-3rd) | N/A | $7,800 |
| 18 | Cole Irvin | Phillies | @ Cubs | 107 (9th) | N/A | $8,100 | $6,800 |
| 19 | Michael Wacha (G1) | Cardinals | vs. Royals | N/A | 100 (14th) | $7,500 | N/A |
| 20 | Adam Wainwright (G2) | Cardinals | vs. Royals | N/A | 100 (14th) | N/A | $7,800 |
| 21 | Homer Bailey (G2) | Royals | @ Cardinals | N/A | 108 (10th) | N/A | N/A |
| 22 | Eric Lauer | Padres | vs. D-backs | 122 (4th) | N/A | $6,700 | $6,400 |
| 23 | Merrill Kelly | D-backs | @ Padres | N/A | 81 (24th) | $8,000 | $6,900 |
| 24 | Jeff Samardzija | Giants | vs. Braves | N/A | 105 (12th) | $6,000 | $6,400 |
| 25 | Jose Urena | Marlins | @ Tigers | N/A | 68 (29th) | $7,100 | $6,200 |
| 26 | Jefry Rodriguez | Indians | vs. A's | N/A | 93 (T-17th) | $7,000 | $7,300 |
| 27 | Brad Keller (G1) | Royals | @ Cardinals | N/A | 108 (10th) | $6,200 | $6,700 |
| 28 | Adrian Sampson (PLR) | Rangers | vs. Mariners | N/A | 113 (7th) | N/A | $5,000 |
| 29 | Ivan Nova | White Sox | @ Astros | N/A | 127 (1st) | $6,600 | $4,400 |
| 30 | Matt Harvey | Angels | vs. Twins | N/A | 117 (2nd) | $6,500 | $5,500 |
| 31 | Dan Straily | Orioles | vs. Yankees | N/A | 111 (9th) | $5,500 | $4,800 |
| 32 | Ryne Stanek (O) | Rays | vs. Dodgers | N/A | 116 (T-3rd) | $5,500 | $5,000 |
| 33 | Jesse Chavez (O) | Rangers | vs. Mariners | N/A | 113 (7th) | $5,500 | $5,000 |
| 34 | Montana DuRapua (O) | Pirates | vs. Rockies | N/A | 79 (25th) | $5,500 | $4,000 |
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.