This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
After a Thursday slate comprised of mostly day games, we have a heavy slate of evening games Friday. While there are a lot of contests to choose from, the viable starting pitching options aren't as plentiful. Let's break down the matchups and try to highlight some of the potential ownership percentages.
Pitching Overview
So far, so good with Clayton Kershaw ($52). After beginning the season on the IL, he's allowed five runs and recorded 21 strikeouts over 20 innings in his first three starts. It should be noted that two of those matchups were against bad offenses in the Reds and Pirates, but he also held the Brewers to two runs across six innings in Miller Park. Friday brings another favorable start against a Padres team that has struck out the third-most times (308) in baseball, so expect Kershaw to have a high ownership percentage.
Another top-tier option who figures to be very popular is Tyler Glasnow ($51). The Rays seemed to unlock his potential after acquiring him from the Pirates last year. He's certainly off to a tremendous start this year with a 3.13 xFIP, 0.94 WHIP and a 27.7 percent strikeout rate. While those numbers are all impressive, maybe the most promising is his 5.1 percent walk rate. This is a prime opportunity to start him against the Orioles, who he held to two runs across seven innings earlier this season.
A sound strategy in DFS is often targeting whichever pitcher is facing the Marlins. They've been simply atrocious offensively, scoring the fewest runs (86) and recording the second-lowest OPS (.622) in baseball. Kevin Gausman ($46) will start against them Friday, which will actually be the second time that he's faced them this season. To no surprise, he shut them out over seven innings while recording seven strikeouts the first time around.
Key Values/Chalk
It's always exciting to see a game at Coors Field on the schedule, which is certainly the case for the visiting Diamondbacks on Friday. They have a great matchup against Tyler Anderson, who has allowed at least five runs in all four of his starts. He has a 2.16 WHIP and has allowed six home runs across 16.2 innings. Expect the Diamondbacks to be one of the chalk stacks of the night.
Another stack that should be highly targeted is the Braves against Jose Urena. While Urena has been victimized by a .345 opponents' BABIP, he still has a 4.28 xFIP and isn't an overwhelming pitcher with his career 15.9 percent strikeout rate. The Braves have the fifth-highest OPS (.801) in the league, so this could get ugly in a hurry.
As juicy as Coors Field is, hunting for games at Globe Life Park in Arlington is also a sound strategy. The Rangers will be in the friendly confines of their home park for their matchup against Trent Thornton and the Blue Jays. Thornton's 3.82 xFIP isn't bad, but he's also had the benefit of facing some easy lineups in the Giants, Indians and Tigers. The concerning stat is that he's allowed five home runs across 28.1 innings. This is a prime spot to roll with the Rangers' bats, although you'll need to monitor this game leading up to first pitch as rain might be an issue.
Stacks
Diamondbacks vs. Anderson (Rockies)
Christian Walker (1B - $21), Ketel Marte (OF - $21), Eduardo Escobar (3B - $24)
Locked in at first base with Jake Lamb (quadriceps) out, Walker has been a monster this season with a .298 ISO and a .409 wOBA. It's hard to pass up on him in Coors Field. Marte has flashed plenty of power upside himself with his .263 ISO, but the reason you want to use him for this game is the .408 wOBA that he recorded against left-handed pitchers last year. Escobar completes this potentially productive trio by looking to extent his current hot streak that has seen him record at least two hits in six of his last 10 games. In fact, he's 17-for-41 (.415) with four home runs and five doubles during that 10-game stretch.
Braves vs. Urena (Marlins)
Ronald Acuna Jr. (OF- $19), Freddie Freeman (1B - $19), Nick Markakis (OF- $17)
It's hard to go wrong with adding Acuna to you entry most nights. Not only has he not showed any signs of a sophomore slump with his .371 wOBA, but he's even improved his walk rate by over four percentage points. Freeman makes for a great running mate with his career 145 wRC+ against right-handed pitching. While his numbers aren't as prodigious as Freeman's, Markakis was no slouch last year with a .353 wOBA versus righties.
Rangers vs. Thornton (Blue Jays)
Joey Gallo (OF - $24), Nomar Mazara (OF- $14), Shin-Soo Choo (OF - $21)
The Rangers have plenty of left-handed hitters who could give Thornton trouble. The one to build around is Gallo and his career .305 ISO. With the rate at which Thornton has given up home runs in the early going, this is a great spot for Gallo to potentially go deep again. Mazara's .233 batting average might not look pretty, but he's been unlucky with a .244 BABIP. His strikeout rate is down and his power numbers are up, so he's still a great option. After recording a .385 wOBA against righties last year, Choo also makes for an excellent target In a Rangers stack.
Rays vs. Dan Straily (Orioles)
Tommy Pham (OF - $23), Brandon Lowe (2B- $22), Nate Lowe (1B - $21)
There are so many juicy stacks that this one might fly under the radar. The Rays don't have a ton of big names in their lineup, but this is a great matchup against Straily. Like most pitchers on the Orioles, Straily has been terrible out of the gate with a 7.05 xFIP. Left handed hitters posted a .360 wOBA against him last year, making both Lowes great options. Pham might not have the platoon advantage, but he's still a great option with his .367 wOBA.
