This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
The players featured in this piece will be building blocks that can work in several lineup configurations (cash and GPP). While there are only two day games on the schedule Wednesday, there are plenty of options to choose from in the main evening slate on FanDuel.
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STARTING PITCHER
Jameson Taillon, PIT vs. CIN ($9,300): Taillon finished with a 1.48 WHIP in 2017, but he was the victim of an abnormally high .352 opponents' BABIP. He's normalized to a .298 BABIP allowed this season, helping reduce his WHIP to 1.20 in the process. He's not a major source of strikeouts, but he has a respectable 8.3 K/9 to go along with a career-high 10.7 percent swinging strike rate. Taillon has remarkably allowed three earned runs or fewer in 17 straight starts, leaving him with a high floor Wednesday.
GPP Fade: Tanner Roark, WAS vs. STL ($8,300): Roark has 14 losses this season, but he hasn't really pitched that poorly based on his 4.03 ERA and 4.20 FIP. He has only issued a 2.6 BB/9, helping lead to a 1.23 WHIP. However, his upside is limited based on his 7.5 K/9. He's also had trouble at home this season, posting a 4.88 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP at Nationals Park. The Cardinals have averaged 5.3 runs across their last 10 games and they have the fourth-highest OPS on the road (.766) in baseball this year, so it might be best to stay away from adding Roark to your entry.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Tyler Glasnow, TB at TOR ($6,700): The Rays finally cashed in Chris Archer and his team-friendly contract by trading him to the Pirates in a deal that netted them Glasnow and Austin Meadows. Glasnow had worked out of the bullpen for the Pirates before being traded, but the Rays wasted no time inserting him into their starting rotation. He's provided immediate dividends, recording a 3.23 ERA and a 3.44 FIP over six starts. He has a sparkling 0.85 WHIP, although he has been aided by a .194 BABIP allowed. He's shown improved control and has been a major source of strikeouts with an 11.2 K/9 since joining the team. With that kind of strikeout upside, he's someone to consider in tournament play at this cheap price.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Ian Desmond, COL vs. SF ($3,400): The Rockies should be a popular stack against left-hander Andrew Suarez, who has a 5.55 ERA and 1.60 WHIP on the road this year. Desmond stands out as one of their hitters to target not only because of his reasonable price tag, but because he also has a .367 wOBA against lefties.
SECOND BASE
Joey Wendle, TB at TOR ($3,200): Wendle is finishing the season on a high note, batting .347 with a 145 wRC+ over his last 25 games. He doesn't draw a lot of walks, but he only had a 12.8 percent strikeout rate during that stretch. He'll face the struggling Aaron Sanchez, who has allowed 11 runs and 18 hits over 8.1 innings in two starts since being activated from the DL.
THIRD BASE
Alex Bregman, HOU vs. MIN ($4,700): Bregman has been a tremendous source of power this season with 28 home runs and 46 doubles. His batting average hasn't suffered at .296 and he actually has more walks (79) than he does strikeouts (71). He's firing on all cylinders heading into this game, batting .435 with five homers and eight doubles in his last 16 contests.
SHORTSTOP
Trevor Story, COL vs. SF ($4,700): Story stands out as someone to build your lineup around against Suarez. Not only does he have a .418 wOBA at home, but he also has a .435 wOBA against left-handed pitchers. He's known for his excellent power, but he also has 25 steals this season, six of which have come over his last eight games.
OUTFIELD
Shohei Ohtani, LAA at TEX ($3,500): The Angels figure to be another popular stack facing Bartolo Colon. Colon isn't fooling many hitters with a 5.0 K/9 and he's had a hard time keeping them inside the park, allowing a 1.9 HR/9. Ohtani could prove to be a very tough out for Colon considering his 178 wRC+ against right-handed pitching.
Adam Frazier, PIT vs. CIN ($3,400): Frazier got off to a slow start this season, posting a .239 batting average and a .355 slugging percentage before ultimately being sent down to the minors. He's been a completely different hitter since he was recalled, batting .352 with a .620 slugging percentage over 34 games. He'll face Homer Bailey and his 1.65 WHIP in this contest, giving him an excellent opportunity to continue his recent run of success.
Kole Calhoun, LAA at TEX ($2,800): Calhoun also got off to a slow start for the ages as he entered the month of July batting .162 with a .224 slugging percentage. He's salvaged his season since that point, batting .287 with a .584 slugging percentage. He has a 191 wRC+ against right-handed pitching during that stretch, making him another Angel to consider against Colon.
UTILITY
Ji-Man Choi, TB at TOR ($3,000): Choi only has four home runs in 128 plate appearances with the Rays, but he's batting .286 with a .367 OBP. He's also chipped in 10 doubles, helping him post a .500 slugging percentage. He's been awful with a -18 wRC+ against lefties this year, but he's someone to consider against Sanchez based on his 147 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers.
