This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
There are 10 MLB games Wednesday night starting at 7:05 p.m. EDT or later, which means plenty of options for your DFS lineup. On the other hand, not having the afternoon games means missing out on the big bats of the Blue Jays and White Sox, as well as missing out on Luis Castillo going against the Pirates' futile offense. That being said, the Reds and Pirates are playing at 12:35 p.m., and on a Wednesday that might be a little early for DFS players. Let's stick to the evening slate.
PITCHING
Walker Buehler, LAD at COL ($9,400): Normally, I would like Buehler a lot. However, this is a game at Coors Field. Still, Buehler is 14-4 with a 2.39 ERA and his career FIP is 3.16. While Buehler would not be my top choice Wednesday, I don't think it's ever a bad idea to take a shot on him. The Dodgers pitcher has made two starts at Coors this year and allowed only four runs over 13.0 innings.
Chris Sale, BOS vs. NYM ($10,000): There are also more concerns about Sale than usual. The lefty has a 2.40 ERA in six starts and the Mets are in the bottom five in runs scored. However, Sale is coming off the COVID-19 list and hasn't pitched more than 6.0 innings in a start this season. I don't see the 32-year-old going more than five innings, but that would be enough to qualify for a win.
Zack Wheeler, PHI vs. BAL ($10,700): Wheeler's 2.83 ERA is impressive, but his 2.65 FIP is even better. He's also striking out double-digit batters per nine innings for the first time in his career. Philly is fighting for a playoff spot while Baltimore has nothing to play for and ranks 26th in runs scored. This might be my top pick at pitcher Wednesday.
Joe Ryan, MIN at CHC ($7,700): The three pitchers I have recommended thus far all have higher salaries. If you want to save a little cash, I like Ryan. He's made three starts this season and posted a 2.12 ERA. Ryan only made two starts at Triple-A before that, but he had a 2.00 ERA there. The Cubs are in the bottom 10 in runs scored and traded away their three best bats at the deadline.
TOP TARGETS
Ozzie Albies, ATL at ARI ($3,800): Albies is racking up counting stats, which makes fantasy players happy. He's got 29 homers, 17 stolen bases, 97 RBI, and 93 runs. Merrill Kelly has a 4.41 ERA, and I will be interested to see how the switch-hitting Albies faces him. The second baseman will hit left-handed against the righty pitcher, but Kelly has allowed a .233 average to lefties this year versus a .299 average to righties.
Yordan Alvarez, HOU at LAA ($3,800): Alvarez has that proverbial light-tower power, as his career slugging percentage is .581 and he has 31 home runs this season. He'll be facing Janson Junk, and admittedly part of me just wanted to write the name "Janson Junk". Junk may have a 2.25 ERA over his eight innings in MLB, but he has a 7.40 FIP because he's allowed three home runs in those eight innings.
VALUE BATS
Gleyber Torres, NYY vs. TEX ($3,100): Torres has lost his power, but he does have 14 stolen bases. Also, he's hit better against lefties and at home, with his slugging percentage against southpaws getting all the way up to .403. Lefty Taylor Hearn has largely pitched out of the bullpen, and even so he still has a 4.93 FIP.
Omar Narvaez, MIL vs. STL ($2,400): Narvaez has put up a .277/.355/.420 slash line, impressive for a catcher. He can't hit lefties, but he has an 829 OPS versus righties this year. Miles Mikolas didn't pitch in 2020, and this year he's only made seven starts. In that time, though, he has a 4.59 FIP.
STACK TO CONSIDER
Phillies vs. Keegan Akin: Bryce Harper ($4,400), J.T. Realmuto ($3,300), Andrew McCutchen ($3,200)
Akin is on a bit of an impressive streak in a way, as he's allowed a home run in seven straight games. On the season, he's allowed 1.71 home runs per nine innings. His 5.98 ERA at home is bad, but on the road it balloons to 7.71.
Harper has been one of the best hitters in baseball, slashing .313/.429/.621. Now, you might be concerned because he is a lefty and so is Akin. However, Harper has an .896 OPS versus southpaws since 2019. Also, Akin has allowed lefties to hit .313 against him in 2021. Realmuto is a righty, and he has hit 15 home runs and stolen 13 bases. Additionally, he has a .349 OBP. McCutchen has 24 home runs, and he has extreme lefty/righty splits. He hasn't hit righties, but he has an 1.056 OPS versus lefties this season.
