This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Wednesday's MLB main slate begins at 7:05 PM Eastern time and offers no shortage of selections, with 11 games on tap. Below, you'll find which individual pitchers and hitters are primed to provide the best value, as well as the top lineup stacking options on this slate.
Pitching Overview
There's no shortage of top-tier pitching options but also plenty of exploitable guys priced near the bottom for more hitting-inclined owners. Those who can afford Justin Verlander ($12,200) will be getting the Astros' ace in an ideal matchup against Detroit's league-worst offense.
Another enticing but expensive option is Nationals southpaw Patrick Corbin ($10,300) in Pittsburgh. The Pirates rank 29th in OPS against lefties, while Corbin has gone undefeated over his past 11 starts. He has a 2.37 ERA, 2.72 FIP and nine quality starts over that stretch, as well as an 86:20 K:BB in 68.1 innings.
Adam Wainwright ($7,100) has looked like his vintage self at Busch Stadium heading into this matchup with the middling Milwaukee offense. In 65.2 home innings this season, the Cardinals righty has a 2.19 ERA, .292 wOBA against and 68:23 K:BB.
Value Plays/Chalk
The Red Sox, Rangers and Athletics all have plenty of appealing options against some vulnerable lefties, but there's value to be found outside of those three stackable lineups as well.
Second baseman Whit Merrifield ($3,400) has been a rare bright spot for the Royals this season, producing a .370 wOBA against both righties and lefties on the road. He should find further success against Orioles righty Aaron Brooks, who comes in with a 6.49 ERA and 5.95 FIP.
Owners with more money to spend at second base can spring for Jose Altuve ($4,400) against Tigers southpaw Daniel Norris. The diminutive Houston star is in the midst of another sensational season when it comes to roughing up left-handed pitching, with a .500 wOBA in that split.
Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo ($4,200) has a wOBA over .400 against righties, and the left-handed slugger should continue to find success against Giants starter Dereck Rodriguez, who comes in with a 4.79 ERA and 5.11 FIP.
Stacks
Red Sox vs. Drew Smyly (Phillies)
J.D. Martinez (OF - $4,200), Sam Travis (1B - $3,000), Xander Bogaerts (SS - $4,000)
Offense hasn't been the problem this season for the Red Sox, who are neck and neck with the Twins for the second-most runs per game behind the Yankees. Boston's bats should keep mashing against Smyly, who has a 7.09 ERA and 6.92 FIP over 80 innings of work this season. Martinez is almost always a strong choice against left-handed pitching given his .525 wOBA in that split. Travis' .367 wOBA against lefties is almost 100 points higher than his .274 mark against righties, and the former number climbs to .418 at Fenway Park. Bogaerts will also have the platoon advantage as a right-handed slugger, and he's excelled at his hitter-friendly home venue -- which ranks third with a 1.12 park factor -- to the tune of a .440 wOBA.
Rangers vs. Patrick Sandoval (Angels)
Hunter Pence (OF - $3,900), Elvis Andrus (SS - $3,100), Delino DeShields Jr. (OF - $2,600)
Sandoval has left a lot to be desired through three major-league appearances, as the rookie lefty hasn't been able to last more than five innings in an outing while surrendering nine earned runs and 21 base runners over 14 frames. Things get even more difficult for him here at Globe Life Park in Arlington, which ranks a comfortable second behind Coors Field with a 1.18 park factor. Pence is in the midst of an excellent season, with a wOBA well north of .400 against southpaws. Andrus has a .390 home wOBA against lefties, while DeShields' home wOBA in that split is over .500.
Athletics vs. J.A. Happ (Yankees)
Matt Chapman (3B - $3,900), Mark Canha (OF - $3,000), Stephen Piscotty (OF - $3,200)
Happ is 10-7 this season, but that says more about the potent offense backing the veteran lefty than Happ himself, given his 5.40 ERA and 5.55 FIP. Oakland has no shortage of potent right-handed bats ready to add to Happ's struggles. Chapman has a wOBA over .400 at home, and Canha isn't far below that mark. Meanwhile, Piscotty has a .428 wOBA against left-handed pitching overall this season.
