This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Wednesday's DFS action starts at 1:05 p.m. EDT with a three-game early-only slate. The main slate starts at 7:05 p.m. EDT and features 24 teams in action.
Pitching
This is probably going to sound crazy but considering the matchups, the Rangers' Mike Minor ($9,600) might be the best play for cash games. Chris Sale ($11,500) isn't a bad choice but is much more expensive than Minor, who has a great matchup at home against an Orioles squad that strikes out 26.7 percent of the time against left-handed pitching, the fifth highest mark in baseball. Since becoming a Ranger, Minor has actually pitched better at home, posting a 3.45 ERA last season (1.05 WHIP) and an even better 2.50 ERA (1.13 WHIP) in Arlington this season.
The Twins' Martin Perez ($8,900) is in a great spot tonight and is one of the better GPP options on the slate. Being on the road and coming off a -1 fantasy point performance will help keep his ownership at a low level, especially with Carlos Carrasco being only $400 more. Perez has as much upside as any pitcher on Wednesday's slate, scoring 34, 37, 48, 55 and 58 fantasy points in five of his nine starts this season. Cleveland's .287 wOBA against left-handed pitching is the sixth-worst in baseball.
The cap-saving dart throw of the night is Atlanta's Kevin Gausman ($6,500). He's ridiculously cheap, allowing for multiple stud bats in a GPP lineup. Gausman should bounce back from his worst start of the season in which he scored -18 fantasy points, a tough feat to accomplish. Over his previous four starts he scored 22, 28, 31 and and 43 fantasy points for an average of 31. If he gets just 30 fantasy points, that would mean dollar for dollar Sale would have to score 53 to deliver the same value. The Pirates aren't a bad matchup either, as their .313 wOBA against right-handed pitching is right at league average.
Key Values/Chalk
Even though he'll be home and get a park downgrade, Jesse Winker ($2,500) is firmly in play against Dakota Hudson. Winker typically hits cleanup against right-handed pitching and Hudson has struggled against left-handed hitting so far. In 27.1 innings, Hudson has allowed a .435 wOBA to opposing lefties.
The Rangers have one of the highest expected run totals of the night, so finding a way to get a Texas bat or two into a lineup seems like a wise play. Elvis Andrus ($3,600) has by far his best splits at home against left-handed pitchers (.540 wOBA... not a typo) and will get John Means tonight. Andrus is back running on the base paths too, going 10-for-12 after only attempting eight steals all of last season. Logan Forsythe ($2,900) should be in the lineup with the Rangers facing a southpaw, and is an enticing option if he is. While it's a small sample (58 innings), Means has a 5.34 road ERA as opposed to a 1.53 home ERA since joining the Orioles. Forsythe has a career .342 wOBA against left-handed pitching.
The Cardinals' Matt Carpenter ($3,200) checks a lot of boxes tonight, including a lefty vs. righty matchup and good BvP data. Carpenter has hit Anthony DeSclafani well, going 11-for-24 with three home runs (1.581 OPS). DeSclafani has struggled with the long ball this season (2.32 HR/9), leading to a 4.97 ERA.
At second base, the Astros' Jack Mayfield ($2,100) makes for a great punt play. It's a good matchup against Mike Leake (4.71 ERA), who has surrendered a .370 wOBA to right-handed hitters this season. While Mayfield isn't a huge prospect, he did have a .937 OPS at Triple-A before getting called up to the big leagues.
Stacks
Mets vs. Giants (Tyler Beede)
Pete Alonso (C/1B - $3,900), Michael Conforto (OF - $3,500), Jeff McNeil (OF - $2,700), Wilson Ramos (C/1B - $2,600)
This stack works nicely because there are two expensive players and two cheaper players, so it doesn't bust your budget. This is purely fading Beede, who has struggled over 20 innings in his limited career with the Giants.
Marlins at Brewers (Jimmy Nelson)
Starlin Castro (2B - $2,800), Garrett Cooper (OF - $3,100), Jorge Alfaro (C/1B - $2,900), Harold Ramirez (OF - $3,200)
The Marlins' bats came alive last night with a season-high 16 runs. Jimmy Nelson is making his first big-league start since injuring his shoulder in 2017, and it's tough to see him pitching deep into this game. Even with Tuesday night's outburst, a Marlins stack won't be a popular choice given their numbers on the season.
