This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Get ready for a wild Friday in DFS with all 15 games in the majors included in the main slate on Yahoo. With so many options to choose from, let's get right down to business and highlight some of the best players to consider.
Pitching Overview
There are a few aces taking the mound, but none of them will have a better matchup than Jacob deGrom ($62) has against the Marlins. They continue to run out an embarrassing lineup that has only scored 105 total runs. To get a grasp on just how futile they have been, 15 teams have scored at least twice as many runs as the Marlins. That's half the league! In two starts against them this season, deGrom has allowed one run and recorded 22 strikeouts over 14 innings.
Another dominant force set to start is Max Scherzer ($57), who is once again missing plenty of bats with his 32.2 percent strikeout rate. If he continues at that pace, it will mark his fifth-straight season with at least a 30 percent strikeout rate. Although his matchup against the Cubs isn't nearly as cushy as deGrom's, his strikeout upside is hard to ignore.
For those looking to save a few bucks, don't sleep on Frankie Montas ($41) against the Tigers. Not only does he have a 3.62 xFIP across his first eight starts, but he's increased his strikeout rate from 15.2 percent last season to 22 percent this year. His groundball rate has also increased by over nine percentage points while his fly ball rate has decreased by over four percentage points. Considering the Tigers have scored the second-fewest runs (143), this is a matchup to exploit.
Key Values/Chalk
The chalk stack of the night could very well be the Cardinals. The first factor working in their advantage is that they will be playing at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Not only is that a hitter-friendly park, but they will also have the benefit of using the DH. Jose Leclerc is set to serve as the opener with Adrian Sampson expected to pitch the bulk of the innings after him. That is certainly a favorable matchup for the Cardinals since he has a 5.65 xFIP and a 1.56 WHIP.
It's hard to resist rolling with the Astros based on how dominant their lineup has been. They are second in the league in runs scored (245) and home runs (83), while first in OPS (.866). They have also struck out the second-fewest times (317). Opposing them will be Rick Porcello, who has a 4.96 xFIP and has allowed eight home runs across 43.2 innings. He's also had plenty of troubles keeping runners off base with a 1.47 WHIP.
The Angels should also be a popular option at home against Brad Keller and the Royals. He's not an overpowering pitcher with his career 16.6 percent strikeout rate and he's allowed at least five runs in three of his last four starts. The only game he didn't during that stretch was against the aforementioned offensively challenged Tigers. The Angels are a lot more dangerous now with Shohei Ohtani back in the fold and Tommy La Stella having a breakout power campaign.
Stacks
Cardinals vs. Leclerc (Rangers)
Paul Goldschmidt (1B - $20), Matt Carpenter (3B - $15), Jose Martinez (OF - $20)
Remember, even though Leclerc is starting, Sampson is expected to pitch the bulk of the innings in this game. He's allowed 2.1 HR/9 during his brief major league career, so try to attack him with power bats. This trio certainly fits that strategy. Goldschmidt has broken out of his recent slump to record at least two hits in three of his last six games. Carpenter might only be hitting .200, but his .239 BABIP is 75 points below his career mark, so expect him to break out sooner rather than later. Martinez has finally hit his way into regular playing time, recording a .364 wOBA and just an 17.9 percent strikeout rate.
Astros vs. Porcello (Red Sox)
Alex Bregman (3B - $25), Michael Brantley (OF - $24), Aledmys Diaz (2B - $16)
It's hard to fade Bregman since he's launched 10 home runs in his last 15 games. The same can be said for Diaz, who checks in at a reasonable price and is 9-for-27 (.333) with three home runs across his last eight games. The Astros have to be ecstatic with the production that they have received from Brantley, who has a 157 wRC+ in his first year with the team. Porcello has allowed a .339 wOBA to left-handed hitters during his career compared to a .305 wOBA versus righties, which also works in Brantley's favor.
Angels vs. Keller (Royals)
Shohei Ohtani (OF - $18), Tommy La Stella (2B - $20), Andrelton Simmons (SS - $17)
The obvious choice might seem to be rolling with Mike Trout ($20) if you are creating an Angels stack. However, he's 9-for-40 (.225) over his last 11 games. He also walks a lot, which doesn't always lead to productive stat lines considering his price tag. La Stella, on the other hand, is red hot after hitting four home runs over his last seven games. Simmons is also performing well since he is 14-for-36 (.389) during his current nine-game hitting streak. Ohtani is also starting to show signs of heating up with at least two hits in four of his last five games.
Indians vs. Dylan Bundy (Orioles)
Francisco Lindor (SS - $21), Carlos Santana (1B - $15), Jake Bauers (OF - $16)
Even though the Indians haven't scored many runs, this matchup against Bundy makes them a stack worth considering. Bundy is off to another bad start with a 5.12 xFIP and has allowed 11 home runs over 40.2 innings. Lefties smoked him for a .399 wOBA last year, so this trio could give him plenty of trouble. Lindor is 15-for-42 (.357) over his last 10 games while Bauers is 10-for-38 (.263) over his last 12 contests. Santana also brings a consistent source for power to this stack after slugging at least 20 home runs in five of his last six seasons.
