This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
While baseball officially returned from the All-Star break Thursday, there was only one game for us to enjoy. Now it's back to some Yahoo DFS fun with 13 games making up the main evening slate Friday. Let's breakdown the matchups and discuss some of the better players to consider for your entry.
Pitching Overview
After spending nearly a month on the IL, Domingo German ($47) made a start just before the break against the Mets. One of the Yankees best starters this season, he didn't seem to skip a beat while holding them to one run over six innings. His strikeout rate has once again been strong at 26.4 percent and he's even shown improved control with a 6.1 percent walk rate. The Blue Jays have struck out the eighth-most times (827) in baseball, leaving German with the potential for a strong outing.
Yonny Chirinos ($45) has been as consistent as it gets for the Rays, registering a quality start in each of his last six outings. That's really impressive when you consider he faced the Red Sox, Rangers, A's (twice) and Yankees (twice) during that stretch. In fact, he's allowed more than three earned runs in only one of his 12 starts. Friday brings his third appearance of the season against the Orioles, who he's held to three runs across 12.1 innings. Look for him to provide another valuable performance.
While Danny Duffy ($39) has made some improvements this season, his 4.28 ERA and 1.35 WHIP are nothing to write home about. With that being said, he's in play against the Tigers, who have scored the fewest runs (311) in baseball. They've also struck out the seventh-most times (835). The last time Duffy faced them, he allowed two runs and recorded seven strikeouts over seven innings. Of the cheaper pitchers, expect Duffy to be one of the more popular choices.
Key Values/Chalk
It's hard to argue against attacking the Orioles' pitching staff, especially with Dylan Bundy set to start. He's allowed 20 home runs over 91 innings after giving up 2.1 HR/9 last season. Even though the Rays don't have a ton of homer-happy hitters, Austin Meadows ($9), Tommy Pham ($17) and Yandy Diaz ($16) all come with some upside based on this matchup.
The Reds will have the luxury of playing at Coors Field for their contest with Jon Gray and the Rockies. Gray's 3.92 ERA is a big improvement from last's year mark of 5.12, but his FIP is almost identical and he's still allowing too many baserunners with his 1.38 WHIP. This could be a great spot to use Jesse Winker ($16), who has a .352 wOBA against right-handed pitchers. Joey Votto ($19) is also intriguing now that he's shown signs of being his old self by hitting 40-for-122 (.328) with a .500 slugging percentage over his last 33 games.
Ivan Nova's last start against the Cubs couldn't have gone much better with him pitching 5.2 shutout innings. While that's certainly impressive against their tough lineup, he had allowed at least four runs in five of his previous six starts and he has a 5.25 FIP for the season. This is still a prime spot to include some A's hitters in DFS, including Matt Olson ($21) and his career .368 wOBA against righties.
Stacks
New York Yankees vs. Aaron Sanchez (Blue Jays)
Aaron Judge (OF - $20), Aaron Hicks (OF - $18), Didi Gregorius (SS- $13)
It was an atrocious first half for Sanchez, who recorded a 5.56 FIP and a 1.75 WHIP. He's once again had control issues with his 13 percent walk rate and his 14 home runs allowed are only one away from his career high when he allowed 15 homers across 192 innings in 2016. That makes the powerful Judge a prime target. Hicks was also on a power surge heading into the break with three home runs and three doubles over his last seven games. Gregorius is a great option at a cheaper price who is 14-for-45 (.311) with three home runs across his last 10 contests.
Angels vs. Mike Leake (Mariners)
Mike Trout (OF - $27), Shohei Ohtani (OF - $21), Kole Calhoun (OF - $16)
Not normally one to give up a lot of home runs, Leake has allowed a career-high 1.8 HR/9 through his first 18 starts. That includes five in two previous outings against the Angels. Trout hit three of those, so Leake certainly won't be happy to see him step into the batter's box. Ohtani has also provided plenty of power with his .268 ISO while Calhoun is appealing at a more budget-friendly price since he has already hit as many home runs in 86 games this year (19) than he did in 137 games last year.
Astros vs. Jesse Chavez (Rangers)
Yordan Alvarez (OF - $27), Yuli Gurriel (3B - $24), Michael Brantley (OF - $17)
With the Rangers lacking options for their rotation, Chavez was recently moved into a starting role after spending most of his season pitching out of the bullpen. His last two starts didn't go well with him allowing nine runs (seven earned) over 11 innings against the Rays and Twins. He'll be faced with another tough task in trying to slow down the Astros at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park. Gurriel was in on insane hot streak heading into the break, hitting 18-for-45 (.400) with nine home runs over 11 games. His price has climbed significantly, but he still might be worth deploying. Brantley has a .376 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, leaving him as someone to consider at a more reasonable price.
