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). Wednesday brings 14 games on the MLB schedule, 10 of which will make up the main evening slate on FanDuel.
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STARTING PITCHER
Carlos Carrasco, CLE vs. CWS ($11,200): Carrasco continues to be one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball. He enters this start with a 3.43 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP, which would mark his fifth consecutive season with an ERA of 3.63 or lower and a WHIP of 1.15 or lower. He also has a 10.5 K/9, which would be the third time in the last four seasons he's struck out at least 10 hitters per nine innings. This is also a great matchup against a White Sox team that is averaging 3.2 runs across their last 10 games and has had trouble scoring runs in general this season. In his two previous outings against them, Carrasco allowed one unearned run and recorded 20 strikeouts over 14 innings.
GPP Fade: David Price, BOS at NYY ($9,300): Price is having a strong finish to the season, posting a 1.56 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and a 9.4 K/9 across his last nine starts. Over that stretch, he's allowed only two home runs in 57.2 innings. The problem for this game is that Price has really struggled in Yankee Stadium. In five starts there over the last three seasons, he's allowed 29 runs over 20 innings. Even taking into consideration his recent hot streak, Price might be too much of a risk to add to your entry.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Chris Archer, PIT vs. KAN ($7,800): The move from the American League to the National League can sometimes be a big win for starting pitchers, but that hasn't been the case so far for Archer. In eight starts with the Pirates, he has a 5.49 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. His FIP is better at 4.50, but he's had trouble keeping batters inside the ballpark, allowing seven home runs over 39.1 innings. With that being said, this is a great matchup against a Royals team that has scored the sixth-fewest runs and hit the fifth-fewest home runs in baseball. They also won't have the benefit of using the DH with this game being in Pittsburgh.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Gary Sanchez, NYY vs. BOS ($3,100): This has been a lost season for Sanchez. He's played only 80 games due to injury and has been a disaster defensively. He's still hit for power with 16 home runs and 16 doubles, but his .198 BABIP has helped drag his batting average down to .187. His price in DFS has understandably dropped significantly, but he's someone to target Wednesday considering he is 6-for-12 with five home runs in his career against Price.
SECOND BASE
Jonathan Villar, BAL vs. TOR ($3,200): Toronto's catchers must have nightmares about Villar. He's played them eight times since being acquired by the Orioles and has eight stolen bases in those contests. Over his last 16 games overall, Villar has a .356 wOBA to go along with four home runs and seven steals. He gets a great matchup against Marco Estrada and his 1.44 WHIP.
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner, LOS vs. COL ($4,200): Turner is firing on all cylinders as the Dodgers make a push for the playoffs, hitting 12-for-25 (.480) during his current seven-game hitting streak. He's had great success versus left-handed pitchers this year with a 183 wRC+ against them. He'll face a struggling one in Tyler Anderson, who has an 8.92 ERA and 1.78 WHIP since August 1.
SHORTSTOP
Jose Peraza, CIN at MIL ($3,500): Known for his speed, Peraza hasn't disappointed with 23 stolen bases. He's become a much better all-around hitter, too, posting a .292 batting average to go along with 13 homers and 31 doubles this year. Although he still doesn't walk much, he's cut his strikeout rate down to 10.9 percent. He could provide value against Gio Gonzalez, who has limited left-handed hitters to a .273 wOBA, but has allowed a .342 wOBA against righties.
OUTFIELD
Christian Yelich, MIL vs. CIN ($5,000): Yelich has taken his career to new heights in his first season with the Brewers. Not only has he already set a new personal best with 31 home runs, but his .952 OPS ranks fifth in all of baseball. With his .410 wOBA against righties, he'll be one of the top outfield targets in a matchup against Matt Harvey.
Michael Brantley, CLE vs. CWS ($4,200): Dylan Covey will start for the White Sox, making the Indians one of the most appealing stacks for the evening. Covey had a few strong starts back in June, but otherwise he's been bad with a bloated 1.55 WHIP this year. He could have plenty of trouble getting Brantley out, who has a .377 wOBA against righties.
Melky Cabrera, CLE vs. CWS ($3,300): If you're looking for a cheaper outfielder to include in an Indians stack, Cabrera is someone to consider. He's worked his way into a significant role with the team, posting a .347 wOBA across his last 19 games. With the amount of baserunners that Covey allows, Cabrera could chip in some counting stats in this contest.
UTILITY
Eugenio Suarez, CIN at MIL ($3,600): Suarez is fading a bit down the stretch, batting .208 with only two home runs in September. However, a matchup with Gonzalez might be just what he needs to get back on track, since he has a 177 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers. It's no surprise that he is 5-for-12 with a home run against Gonzalez in his career.
