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). With 12 games making up the main evening slate on FanDuel, there are plenty of options to wade through for your entry Wednesday.
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STARTING PITCHER
German Marquez, COL vs. PHI ($10,200): Marquez didn't start out the season strong, posting a 4.81 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across his first 19 starts. He's been a different pitcher since with a 2.77 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over his last 12 outings. One of the big reasons for his improved numbers is that he had a 9.3 K/9 in those first 19 starts, but he has an 11.5 K/9 since. He does have much better numbers on the road this year, but he's allowed three runs or fewer in six straight starts at Coors Field. The Phillies are struggling as the season comes to a close and have averaged just 3.3 runs across their last 10 games, potentially setting up Marquez up to finish the regular season with a valuable performance.
GPP Fade: Shane Bieber, CLE at CWS ($8,800): Bieber was hit hard during his last two starts, allowing a combined 11 runs across 10.2 innings to the Tigers and Red Sox. He's allowed at least four earned runs in four of his last six starts, leaving him with a 4.80 ERA heading into this game. Although he's shown excellent control by issuing 1.7 BB/9, he's allowed a 44.7 percent hard-hit rate and he has a 1.37 WHIP. The White Sox aren't exactly an offensive juggernaut, but Bieber's recent struggles might make him someone to pass on at this price.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Matt Boyd, DET at MIN ($8,400): Boyd was a bit unlucky last year with his .330 BABIP against helping to contribute to a bloated 1.56 WHIP. His fortunes changed this year, though, with his .254 BABIP against helping lower his WHIP to 1.12. Never known as a big strikeout pitcher, his career-high 10.2 percent swinging-strike rate has resulted in a very respectable 8.4 K/9. He posted a 3.80 ERA and 0.80 WHIP across his previous four starts against the Twins this year, which is not all that surprising considering the Twins are far worse against left-handed pitchers (.678 OPS) than they are righties (.732 OPS). Look for him to have similar success in their final meeting of the season.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Yan Gomes, CLE at CWS ($3,000): Gomes is heating up as the Indians get ready to enter the playoffs, hitting .361 with three home runs and four doubles during his current nine-game hitting streak. His batting average has significantly improved this season at .267, but has been somewhat aided by an abnormally high .337 BABIP. Left-hander Jace Fry will serve as the opener for the White Sox in this game and could be followed by another lefty in Hector Santiago, which is good news for Gomez since he has a .361 wOBA against lefties.
SECOND BASE
Daniel Murphy, CHC vs. PIT ($3,300): Murphy enters this contest on a five-game hitting streak and is 12-for-38 (.316) with two home runs over his last 10 contests. This is the first time Murphy will play in less than 100 games since he missed the entire 2010 season, but he's finally in a groove after missing the first 10-plus weeks of the year and needing some time to shake off the rust. With his .361 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, Murphy is someone to consider for your lineup against Ivan Nova, who isn't an overpowering pitcher with just a 6.4 K/9.
THIRD BASE
Adrian Beltre, TEX at LAA ($3,200): Beltre is doing his best to salvage what has been an injury-filled season, recording a 156 wRC+ across 20 games in September. His 14 homers this year would be his lowest mark since 2009, but seven of them have come this month. It's still uncertain if he will return for another year, but he's someone to target against Andrew Heaney based on his career .377 wOBA versus left-handed pitchers.
SHORTSTOP
Javier Baez, CHC vs. PIT ($3,900): Baez is having by far the best season of his career, showing off an excellent combination of power and speed with 34 home runs and 21 stolen bases. If he can score three more runs over this final week, he will also finish with at least 100 runs and 100 RBI. Don't shy away from him Wednesday just because he doesn't have the platoon advantage versus Nova, as Baez has a .371 wOBA against both righties and lefties.
OUTFIELD
Christian Yelich, MIL at STL ($4,900): Yelich is smoking hot as the Brewers make a push for the NL Central title, batting .413 with a 271 wRC+ across his last 12 games. Like Baez, Yelich has reached new heights pretty much across the board, proving to be a valuable addition for the Brewers. John Gant will start this game for the Cardinals and he has had control issues this year with a 4.4 BB/9. Yelich has a .420 wOBA against righties, so it might be worth paying up to get him into your lineup.
Ramon Laureano, OAK at SEA ($3,200): The A's have clinched one of the two Wild Card spots in the AL, setting up what should be an exciting game against the Yankees. Laureano has been one of the big reasons for their success down the stretch, posting a .364 wOBA across 45 games since being called up at the beginning of August. A matchup against Felix Hernandez awaits him Wednesday, a pitcher who is a shell of his former self and has posted an unsightly 1.40 WHIP.
Daniel Palka, CWS vs. CLE ($2,800): The White Sox don't have a lot of great hitters, but Palka has quietly slugged 27 home runs over 430 plate appearances. He's a strikeout machine with a 33.5 percent strikeout rate and he doesn't walk much, which limits his overall value. However, with the struggling Bieber on the mound for the Indians, Palka might be worth the risk at this cheap price in tournament play.
UTILITY
Mitch Haniger, SEA vs. OAK ($3,600): The Mariners fell short of making the playoffs once again, but it certainly wasn't due to Haniger's efforts. He was one of their best hitters over the second half of the year, posting a .402 wOBA since August 1. Edwin Jackson will start for the A's and while his 3.18 ERA looks nice, his 4.56 FIP and paltry 6.8 K/9 make Haniger a viable option to consider.
