This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
There's no shortage of action across the majors Friday with all 14 games making up the main evening slate on Yahoo. It doesn't look like we'll have any weather issues, either. With so many options to consider, let's get right to it and highlight some of the best pitchers and hitters to target for your entry.
Pitching Overview
On the surface, Lance Lynn ($47) might not look like he is having the best of seasons with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. However, his FIP stands at 3.06 and his 25.7 percent strikeout rate would be his highest mark since 2011. It helps that he'll be facing the Rays on the road instead of at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rays also played 18 innings against the Twins on Thursday, so they might not have a ton of life in their bats after such a marathon. Lynn is certainly and intriguing option.
Targeting whoever is pitching against the Giants has been a sound strategy more often than not considering they have the second-lowest OPS (.659) in baseball. Merrill Kelly ($45) will draw the start against them in this matchup, which will mark the third time that he has faced them this season. He allowed two runs and recorded 13 strikeouts over 11.1 innings in the first two outings, so don't hesitate to start him this time around.
If you want to take a chance on a cheaper pitcher in tournament play, Vince Velasquez ($33) might be your man. After a stretch in the bullpen, Velasquez's last two outings have been starts. He faced the Marlins his last time on the mound, allowing one run and recording five strikeouts across five innings. With 57 pitches in that game, he should be able to throw even more in their rematch. Since the Marlins have one of the worst lineups in the league, Velazquez might be able to provide some value.
Key Values/Chalk
The A's will start Mike Fiers and his 5.08 FIP against the Angels, likely making Mike Trout ($27) and Shohei Ohtani ($19) popular options. Ohtani went deep again Thursday and is now 27-for-73 (.370) with seven home runs and five doubles over his last 22 games. With his cheaper price tag, he could be in more lineups than Trout.
Another matchup that might be worth exploiting is the Nationals against Daniel Norris. Anthony Rendon ($22) immediately comes to mind as one of the top options based on his career .382 wOBA versus left-handed pitchers. This could also be an excellent opportunity to deploy Howie Kendrick ($19) considering his robust 172 wRC+ against southpaws this season.
If there is one thing that the Padres can do, it's hit home runs. That could prove to be disastrous for Michael Wacha, who has allowed 14 homers across just 66 innings. It's hard to pass up Manny Machado ($24), who is 26-for-62 (.456) with seven home runs and six doubles during his current 13-game hitting streak. Right there with him has been Fernando Tatis Jr. ($26), who is 25-for-68 (.368) with three home runs, three doubles and three triples across 18 games since being activated from the IL.
Stacks
Dodgers vs. Antonio Senzatela (Rockies)
Cody Bellinger (OF - $27), Max Muncy (2B - $25), Matt Beaty (1B - $15)
The Dodgers at Coors Field has a high likelihood of being the most popular stack. Senzatela has struggled with a 5.28 FIP and a 1.57 WHIP to go along with a minuscule 13.1 percent strikeout rate. Bellinger and Muncy are very pricey, but their power upsides are off the charts. Beaty is a more cost-effective option to also consider since he is 9-for-27 (.333) with a home run and two doubles over his last seven games. He also has a .352 wOBA versus right-handed pitching.
Pirates vs. Jhoulys Chacin (Brewers)
Josh Bell (1B - $22), Colin Moran (3B - $16), Corey Dickerson (OF - $15)
It's been a lost season up to this point for Chacin, who has a 5.88 ERA that is backed up by his 5.87 FIP. Not normally one to give up a lot of home runs, he's allowed 14 of them in only 67.1 innings. That makes Bell one of the top hitters to target. Moran has also been more of a threat in that department this season with his .192 ISO. Dickerson is healthy again after spending most of the year on the IL and is in play here based on his career .362 wOBA against righties.
Brewers vs. Chris Archer (Pirates)
Christian Yelich (OF - $27), Mike Moustakas (3B - $23), Keston Hiura (2B - $14)
There hasn't been much to like about Archer this season, who has a 5.56 ERA and an even worse 6.01 FIP. His strikeout rate is down and he's allowed a staggering 2.3 HR/9. That leaves Yelich and Moustakas as extremely appealing options despite their hefty price tags. Hiura was recalled from Triple-A on Thursday night, so expect him to be back in the lineup for this contest. He performed well in his first stint in the majors and was raking at Triple-A, so this might be the time to take advantage of him being at a reduced price.
