This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
We have the customary busy night in the majors Friday with 14 games making up the main slate on Yahoo. That leaves us with a lot of options to consider, so let's get right to it and highlight which matchups to take advantage of while compiling your lineup.
Pitching Overview
There are a lot of top-tier pitchers scheduled to start, including Hyun-Jin Ryu ($56) against the Marlins. Ryu picked up right where he left off in his first start after the All-Star break, allowing two runs and recording six strikeouts over seven innings against the Red Sox. He's allow more than three runs in a start only one time all season and that came in the unfriendly environment that is Coors Field. Facing the lowly Marlins lineup will likely make Ryu one of the most popular pitchers, and rightfully so.
Where would the Indians be without Shane Bieber ($49)? They've suffered some key injuries to their starting rotation, which could have been a disaster considering their mediocre lineup. However, Bieber has been one of the players to step up, recording a 3.49 ERA that is backed by a 3.28 FIP. He's increased is strikeout rate all the way to 31.6 percent, which is over seven percentage points higher than last season, The Royals are in the bottom-third of the league in runs scored, home runs and OPS, leaving Bieber with the potential to provide a tremendous stat line.
Working our way off the top-tier brings us to Marcus Stroman ($42), who isn't exactly dirt cheap. However, he still makes a lot of sense here against the Orioles, who have scored the fourth-fewest runs (396). In two previous starts against them this season, Stroman has allowed four runs (three earned) and recorded 10 strikeouts over 11.2 innings. He's been one of the few bright spots on the Blue Jays' staff, recording a 3.72 FIP and a 1.27 WHIP. His ceiling is somewhat limited, though, based on his 19.1 percent strikeout rate.
Key Values/Chalk
The Cardinals depth chart is thin these days with Yadier Molina (thumb), Marcell Ozuna (finger) and Matt Carpenter (foot) all on the IL. Still, they have same dangerous hitters, including Paul Goldschmidt ($13) and Tyler O'Neill ($12). The two have combined to hit eight home runs over the team's last 10 games. Don't be surprised if they provide more power in their bout with Tyler Mahle, who has allowed 1.6 HR/9 for his career.
Coming off of a big series against the Yankees, the Rays will see a significant step down in competition when they face the White Sox. Swinging things even more in their favor is that Reynaldo Lopez will be on the mound against them. He's been a major disappointment so far, recording a 5.97 ERA and a 5.57 WHIP. Left-handed hitters have recorded a .389 wOBA against him, making the likes of Austin Meadows ($11), Nate Lowe ($22) and Ji-Man Choi ($12) very appealing.
The Royals are already starting to trade away some of their veterans, which included sending Homer Bailey to the A's. With an opening in their rotation, they'll turn to the recently acquired Mike Montgomery to try and slow down the Indians. That likely won't go well considering he had a 6.21 FIP and a 1.78 WHIP in 20 appearances out of the bullpen for the Cubs. He's only thrown more than 50 pitches in an outing three times, so he might not be long for this game, either. Roberto Perez ($17) and Oscar Mercado ($18) are two players to specifically target. Perez has handled lefties to the tune of a 144 wRC+.
Stacks
Yankees vs. Kyle Freeland (Rockies)
Aaron Judge (OF - $25), DJ LeMahieu (3B - $26), Edwin Encarnacion (1B - $21)
The good news for Freeland is that he won't be pitching at Coors Field. The bad news is that he'll be pitching at hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium against one of the most lethal lineups in baseball. The Yankees are loaded with right-handed power bats, so expect them to be a popular stack. Judge really stands out here based on Freeland's struggles and the fact that he has a career 188 wRC+ at home.
Angels vs. Mike Leake (Mariners)
Mike Trout (OF - $27), Shohei Ohtani (OF - $20), Kole Calhoun (OF - $16)
Leake can't be happy to see the Angels on the schedule again. He's already faced them three times this season, allowing 13 runs (10 earned) and six home runs over 13.2 innings. Trout has hit four of those home runs and is one of the top hitters to build your lineup around. Ohtani also carries tremendous power upside while Calhoun has started to heat up by hitting 15-for-50 (.300) with four home runs and two doubles over his last 13 games.
Diamondbacks vs. Jhoulys Chacin (Brewers)
Ketel Marte (OF - $22), Eduardo Escobar (2B - $15), Christian Walker (1B - $17)
Chacin is having an underwhelming campaign for the Brewers with his 5.59 FIP and 1.48 WHIP. Add in the fact that he's allowed 1.8 HR/9 and this power trio could be in line for a big night. They have combined to hit 60 home runs, with Marte and his .253 ISO maybe being the biggest surprise. He's basically a lock for a Diamondbacks stack after hitting 40-for-93 (.430) with four home runs and eight doubles over his last 24 games.
