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In case I've not made in clear in this space before, I do not enjoy split slates, especially when they lead to four-game (or smaller) slates. I don't like the lack of options and I don't like the lineup similarity we'll see. That doesn't mean I won't play at all. I'll just play less. I'm going to write less also, but I'll at least give you a pitcher and stack from each slate and an early lineup.

Starting Pitchers

Aaron Nola ($7,200, $8,600)

I wrote Jake Arrieta up Wednesday, and he's clearly the top option. But with a four-game slate in the afternoon, it's going to be extremely tough to find enough hitting at his price tag. Nola is off to an outstanding start to the year with a WHIP of just 1.00 and at least as many strikeouts as innings in every start. A word of caution, though: His only bad start did come against this Nationals offense.

Kenta Maeda ($9,100, $10,000)

There's an argument to be made for Clay Buchholz, but that argument is all about the Braves because Buchholz has not been good. Maeda has been spectacular and gets a great matchup at home against the Marlins. I don't think Maeda is going to be an ace with his profile, but on this slate against this offense, I believe he's easily to the top play of the evening slate.

Stack Attack

The Coors game is on the early slate, which may be the only bonus of this split slate. If you're tired of Coors, you can easily avoid it. If you're playing the day slate, I'd be much more interested in playing Pirates against Tyler Chatwood than Rockies.

Athletics @ Tigers

If you want to play Jake Arrieta, this is the way. The Athletics offer several cheap hitters with big upside against Anibal Sanchez. I don't think Sanchez is necessarily bad, but I do believe he has a high implosion potential. Jed Lowrie would be my top play, but Stephen Vogt and Josh Reddick aren't far behind.

Cardinals @ Diamondbacks

Rubby De La Rosa is a disaster against left-handed batters, and the Cardinals have plenty of them. Which Cardinals you play will depend greatly on the lineup, which seems to change every day now. I feel fairly confident that Matt Carpenter will be involved, and can only hope Jeremy Hazelbaker is as well.

Lineups

I'm going to offer my early take on a cash game lineup, but of course you should always check out our Sportsline projections for lineup changes right up to lock. Also, check out our podcast on iTunes for extended thoughts on each slate from Chris Towers, Mike McClure and myself.

FanDuel

P Aaron Nola $7,200
C Stephen Vogt $2,700
1B John Jaso $3,600
2B Jed Lowrie $2,400
3B David Freese $3,500
SS Addison Russell $3,000
OF Carlos Gonzalez $3,900
OF Gerardo Parra $3,500
OF Andrew McCutchen $5,000

DraftKings

P Aaron Nola $8,600
P Tanner Roark $7,800
C Stephen Vogt $3,100
1B Anthony RIzzo $4,900
2B Jed Lowrie $2,800
3B Kris Bryant $4,700
SS Addison Russell $3,800
OF Carlos Gonzalez $5,100
OF Andrew McCutchen $5,400
OF Josh Reddick $3,700