Wednesday's 15-game schedule is split evenly between day games (7) and evening matchups (7) for MLB DFS slates (with the Braves-Reds game falling in between at 6:40 p.m. ET), but most of the top pitchers are going at night. Blake Snell is the clear No. 1 pick for the afternoon, but if you're going to fade him, you'll have to make a tough choice on FanDuel and tough choices on DraftKings. Based on our SP rankings for Wednesday, you're either targeting German Marquez (in Coors Field) or playing the matchups with someone like Clay Buchholz (vs. Giants) or Drew Pomeranz (@ Blue Jays) -- not exactly safe plays on any level.
If you're playing the main slate, the top three options all have difficult matchups, with Justin Verlander (vs. Twins), Cole Hamels (vs. Dodgers), and Walker Buehler (@ Cubs) all in precarious spots. Jordan Lyles (vs. D-backs) has the best numbers this year, but as you might epect from someone sporting a 0.53 ERA, his advanced numbers suggest a bit of a regression is coming (2.65 FIP, .237 BABIP), though they're still quite good. It's possible Lyles can keep the magic going in a semi-favorable home start.
Watch ChangeUp, a new MLB live whip-around show on DAZN
The DFS sleeper/season-long streamer camp has interesting matchup-based options. We already mentioned Buchholz and Pomeranz, and Merrill Kelly (@ Pirates) could be a nice contrarian play if you anticipate high Lyles ownership. Both Mike Soroka (@ Reds) and Tanner Roark (vs. Braves) aren't really options in DFS because of the odd first pitch time, but both are considerations in season-long leagues. Chris Paddack (vs. Mariners) has a tough matchup on paper, but he's pitched well this year and has the most strikeout upside of anyone outside the top tier. Felix Hernandez (@ Padres) and Jefry Rodriguez (vs. Marlins) are also low-upside value plays, with Rodriguez being an especially decent grab as a No. 2 on DK if you're just trying to get five decent innings and a win.
MORE: Wednesday's DraftKings lineup | Wednesday's MLB DFS picks
Today's Starting Pitcher Rankings: Wednesday, April 24
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Opponent | Opp. wRC+ vs. LHP (rank) | Opp. wRC+ vs. RHP (rank) |
| 1 | Blake Snell | Rays | vs. Royals | 56 (28th) | N/A |
| 2 | Justin Verlander | Astros | vs. Twins | N/A | 122 (4th) |
| 3 | Cole Hamels | Cubs | vs. Dodgers | 104 (11th) | N/A |
| 4 | Walker Buehler | Dodgers | @ Cubs | N/A | 117 (7th) |
| 5 | Jordan Lyles | Pirates | vs. D-backs | N/A | 97 (18th) |
| 6 | CC Sabathia | Yankees | @ Angels | 67 (T-24th) | N/A |
| 7 | German Marquez | Rockies | vs. Nationals | N/A | 101 (16th) |
| 8 | Vince Velasquez | Phillies | @ Mets | N/A | 103 (T-12th) |
| 9 | Merrill Kelly | D-backs | @ Pirates | N/A | 85 (22nd) |
| 10 | Clay Buchholz | Blue Jays | vs. Giants | N/A | 61 (30th) |
| 11 | Mike Soroka | Braves | @ Reds | N/A | 62 (29th) |
| 12 | Chris Paddack | Padres | vs. Mariners | N/A | 124 (2nd) |
| 13 | Tanner Roark | Reds | vs. Braves | N/A | 103 (T-12th) |
| 14 | Felix Hernandez | Mariners | @ Padres | N/A | 80 (23rd) |
| 15 | Eduardo Rodriguez | Red Sox | vs. Tigers | 85 (T-17th) | N/A |
| 16 | Drew Pomeranz | Giants | @ Blue Jays | 76 (23rd) | N/A |
| 17 | Anibal Sanchez | Nationals | @ Rockies | N/A | 63 (28th) |
| 18 | Jefry Rodriguez | Indians | vs. Marlins | N/A | 67 (25th) |
| 19 | Tyson Ross | Tigers | @ Red Sox | N/A | 79 (24th) |
| 20 | Adam Wainwright | Cardinals | vs. Brewers | N/A | 102 (T-14th) |
| 21 | Felix Pena | Angels | vs. Yankees | N/A | 115 (8th) |
| 22 | Jakob Junis | Royals | @ Rays | N/A | 119 (6th) |
| 23 | Jhoulys Chacin | Brewers | @ Cardinals | N/A | 123 (3rd) |
| 24 | Aaron Brooks | A's | vs. Rangers | N/A | 110 (9th) |
| 25 | Kohl Stewart | Twins | @ Astros | N/A | 120 (5th) |
| 26 | Kyle Dowdy | Rangers | @ A's | N/A | 94 (19th) |
| 27 | Sandy Alcantara | Marlins | @ Indians | N/A | 65 (27th) |
| 28 | Ervin Santana | White Sox | @ Orioles | N/A | 92 (20th) |
| 29 | John Means | Orioles | vs. White Sox | 91 (15th) | N/A |
| 30 | Jason Vargas | Mets | vs. Phillies | 99 (13th) | N/A |
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.