This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
After Thursday's slate that was full of day games, we have a more traditional schedule Friday with 14 evening games. With so many options to sift through, let's get right down to business by highlighting some names and stacks to consider.
Pitching Overview
The Rays decided to give Blake Snell ($54) an extra day of rest, pushing him back to start Friday against the Indians. He's certainly been at the top of his game, allowing three runs and recording 30 strikeouts in 17.2 innings over his last three starts. He had some tough matchups during that stretch, as well, facing the Yankees (twice) and the Diamondbacks. This is a much more favorable opponent since the Indians have the fifth-lowest OPS (.670) in the league.
While Snell figures to be one of the most popular starting pitchers, right up there with him will likely be Noah Syndergaard ($49) against the Tigers. Although his ERA sits at 4.50, he has a 3.71 xFIP and has done a great job of keeping hitters off base with his 1.18 WHIP. The Tigers have one of the worst lineups and baseball and won't have the DH available to them with this game being played at Citi Field, leaving their lineup even more compromised.
If you want to try a dart throw in tournament play to load up on bats, why not just attack the Marlins? They are ranked last in runs, home runs and OPS. Kyle McGowin ($32) is set to make his first start for the Nationals after allowing three runs (two earned) across three innings out of the bullpen against the Cubs in his last appearance. He was starting at Triple-A earlier this year and showed some upside with his 27.9 percent strikeout rate. While risky, he won't exactly need to do a ton to warrant his price tag.
Key Values/Chalk
The Rockies are playing the Orioles at Coors Field. Need I say more? After the Orioles' pitching staff was destroyed by the Yankees, they now have to play in the best hitting environment in baseball. John Means has been one of their better starters with his 2.68 ERA, but his 5.07 xFIP is very concerning. Look for the Rockies to thrive.
With the way the Yankees are swinging the bats right now, it's going to be hard to pass up stacking them against Jakob Junis, who has allowed 1.6 HR/9 to go along with his 1.50 WHIP. He's also allowed at least four runs in six of his last eight starts. The last time he faced them, he allowed five runs (four earned) and two home runs in 5.1 innings. There is some potential rain in the forecast, so be sure to monitor for updates leading up to first pitch to be safe.
Although the game won't be played in hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington, the Angels are still in a prime spot to score in bunches against Drew Smyly and the Rangers. Smyly is still trying to regain his footing after missing the last two seasons and it hasn't gone well so far with his 1.74 WHIP. He's also allowed six home runs in just 27.2 innings. In their first matchup against him this season, the Angels scored four runs over 3.1 innings. Don't be surprised if they excel once again.
Stacks
Rockies vs. Means (Orioles)
Nolan Arenado (3B - $27), Trevor Story (SS - $24), Brendan Rodgers (2B - $9)
Left-handed hitters have only managed a .209 wOBA against Means, so jump on the Rockies's righties here. Arenado and Story are by far the best two options when you combine their success against lefties with their dominance at Coors Field. The highly-regarded Rodgers also makes for a viable option at a reduced price. He was mashing at Triple-A with a 156 wRC+ before being called up.
Yankees vs. Junis (Royals)
Gleyber Torres (SS - $21), Luke Voit (1B - $21), Gio Urshela (3B - $13)
After torching the Orioles, Torres will look to keep things rolling against the Royals. Voit didn't have as prodigious of a series as Torres did, but he is 14-for-34 (.412) with two home runs and four doubles across his last eight games. Urshela just keeps coming up with clutch hits for the Yankees and has a .366 wOBA since being called up, so he's a viable cost-effective option to consider.
Angels vs. Smyly (Rangers)
Mike Trout (OF - $25), Albert Pujols (1B - $16), Jonathan Lucroy (C - $16)
The only negative here with the Angels is that they have a lot of left-handed hitters. That makes Trout a must if you plan to stack them, especially considering his tremendously high ceiling. Pujols and Lucroy won't destroy your budget, which could make for an interesting trio. Pujols has even started to heat up of late, hitting 12-for-36 (.333) with three home runs over his last eight games.
Twins vs. Reynaldo Lopez (White Sox)
Eddie Rosario (OF - $15), Jorge Polanco (SS - $21), Max Kepler (OF - $17)
It's been a disastrous start for Lopez, who enters this matchup with a 5.70 xFIP and a 1.50 WHIP. He's doesn't miss a ton of bats with his career 19.1 percent strikeout rate, so he could have plenty of trouble against a Twins lineup that has been one of the most lethal in baseball. After slugging at least 24 home runs in back-to-back seasons, Rosario already has 14 homers this year to go along with his .255 ISO. Polanco has followed up his .368 wOBA versus right-handed pitchers last year with a robust .443 mark against them this season. Kepler also hits righties well and would be a great choice if in the lineup. He left Thursday's game with a knee injury after running into the outfield wall, but there's a chance he doesn't miss any time since the team doesn't believe the injury is serious.
