This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
The main contest slate for Wednesday starts at 7:00 PM ET, which cuts out a few afternoon games, but you still have 10 games worth of players to choose from. However, even with 20 teams in action the pitching options aren't great. Hopefully with my recommendations you can get past that, though, and the lack of pitching talent on the mound could mean a lot of offense. If you choose the right bats, it could be a big day for your lineup.
PITCHER
Zack Wheeler, NYM at BAL ($10,400): Wheeler has found that old form he had before injury derailed his career. The hurler has a 3.45 FIP and has struck out 8.91 batters per nine innings. Additionally, over his last 10 starts he has a 2.60 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. The Orioles' offense has been better recently, but they still rank 25th in runs scored. Wheeler is one of the two pricey starters in action Wednesday night, but if you don't want to take a gamble, he's a great choice.
GPP Fade: Vince Velasquez, PHI vs. BOS ($7,300): Velasquez has a respectable 3.98 ERA, but at home his ERA is a less impressive 4.78. However, the most concerning thing here for the Phillies pitcher is the matchup with the Red Sox. They lead the league in runs scored by a wide margin. Seriously, they've scored 661 runs while the team in second, the Yankees, has 617. Unless you are talking about an elite ace, any pitcher going up against the Red Sox are probably in trouble.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Robbie Erlin, SDP vs. LAA ($6,300): Erlin has mostly pitched out of the bullpen, but his 3.21 FIP is still good. He's also definitely benefited from pitching in Petco Park half the time, as he has a 2.37 ERA and 0.82 WHIP at home. The Angels normally have a good offense, but they also usually have Mike Trout. They don't right now, which makes this matchup quite different.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Yonder Alonso, CLE at CIN ($3,400): Alonso had a late-career breakout last season, but he's carried that into this year. The 31-year-old has 20 homers in 109 games, doing most of his damage against righties. In those matchups, he has a .798 OPS and 16 home runs. Robert Stephenson, who is getting the start for the Reds, is right-handed, and he also has a 5.16 ERA in his career.
SECOND BASE
Daniel Murphy, WAS at STL ($3,300): Murphy got off to a slow start after returning from injury, but over his last 30 games he's slashed .389/.437/.589. There's no need to worry about him at this point. Austin Gomber has pitched in 20 games for the Cardinals this year, but the rookie has made only three starts. Despite that, he has a 4.51 FIP. He also had a 3.61 FIP as a starter at the Triple-A level this year.
THIRD BASE
Johan Camargo, ATL vs. MIA ($3,200): Camargo gets overlooked with all the bright young stars on the Braves, but he has a career slash line of .281/.339/.455. He's shown a bit more power this year as well, as he has 13 home runs in 96 games. Jose Urena has a 4.74 ERA this year, which is right in line with his career 4.72 ERA.
SHORTSTOP
Aledmys Diaz, TOR at KAN ($3,000): Diaz doesn't walk, which keeps his OBP down, but the man has power for a shortstop. He has a .462 slugging percentage with 15 homers in 90 games. Jorge Lopez will be starting for the Royals in this one. It will be his first start with Kansas City, and also his first start since 2015. In 13 career appearances, he has a 3.89 FIP.
OUTFIELD
Bryce Harper, WAS at STL ($4,300): Despite having a .236 batting average Harper has a .885 OPS and 30 home runs. However, even those batting average concerns have disappeared recently. Over his last 30 games he has a .293 batting average, and also a .994 OPS. As previously noted, Cardinals starter Gomber has a 4.51 FIP this year.
Michael Conforto, NYM at BAL ($3,700): Conforto has struggled with his batting average as well, but he still has a .354 OBP. He also has 16 home runs after hitting 27 last season. Dylan Bundy is having the worst season of his career, as he has a 5.19 FIP. He's also allowed 2.07 homers per nine innings, so it wouldn't be a surprise if Conforto went yard.
Brett Gardner, NYY vs. TAM ($3,300): Gardner doesn't steal bases like he used to, but he has still swiped 10 bags while also hitting 10 homers. Last season he had 21 home runs and 23 stolen bases as well. Tampa's Jake Faria hasn't pitched as a starter since May, missed two months with an injury, and he has a 4.97 ERA as well. All of Gardner's stolen bases have come against righties, so having a righty on the mound could help on that front.
