This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
While there are a lot of bad series on the docket Friday, we do at least have two fun ones with the Mets hosting the Braves and the Yankees traveling to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers. Let's try to spice up the night even more with a winning entry on Yahoo. Here are some players who are is positions to thrive based on the matchups.
Pitching Overview
There will be some big names taking the mound, but none has as appealing of a matchup as Jose Berrios ($47) does against the Tigers. It might be just what the doctor ordered since he's allowed at least seven runs in two of his last three starts, although just three of them were earned in one of those outings. He's only faced the Tigers one time this season, allowing two runs and recording seven strikeouts across 6.2 innings. Expect to see him included in a lot of entries.
As far as pitchers at the top of their game, Jack Flaherty ($42) is arguably the hottest starter in the league. He's been at the center of the Cardinals push for a playoff spot, posting a 0.89 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP over his last eight starts. Three of those outings came against potent lineups in the Astros, Cubs and Dodgers, so he hasn't just been steamrolling inferior lineups. As deadly as the Rockies are at Coors Field, they only have a 74 wRC+ on the road.
The AL Central race is a tight one between the Twins and Indians. Not only will the Twins try to pad their record against the Tigers, but the Indians will face another bad team in the Royals. That makes Zach Plesac ($39) an interesting cheaper option to ponder for tournament play. He'll certainly welcome their inferior lineup considering he's had to face the Red Sox and Yankees in his last two starts. The last two times he faced the Royals, he allowed three runs (two earned) and posted 10 strikeouts over 13 innings.
Key Values/Chalk
Get ready to see a lot of hitters on the Astros throughout DFS. They have one of the juiciest matchups of the night against Jose Suarez, who has a 6.75 ERA that is supported by an equally abysmal 6.59 FIP. He's also allowed 2.7 HR/9, leaving the potent trio of Yordan Alvarez ($24), Alex Bregman ($24) and George Springer ($20) with tremendous upside. For some cheap exposure to the Astros, consider taking a chance on the recently recalled Abraham Toro ($7). After recording a .207 ISO and a .403 wOBA at Double-A, he followed it up with a .182 ISO and a .475 wOBA over 16 games at Triple-A.
Anthony DeSclafani has been average, at best, for the Reds with a 4.79 FIP and a 1.35 WHIP. He's certainly been plagued by the long ball, giving up 1.8 HR/9. Having to face the Pirates in Pittsburgh could be a difficult task based on his 5.03 FIP on the road. Left-handed hitters have recorded a .386 wOBA against him, making Josh Bell ($16), Bryan Reynolds ($18) and Adam Frazier ($9) all viable options.
The Rays push for the playoffs could receive a lift during their weekend series against the Orioles, who have arguably the worst pitching staff in the majors. Ty Blach is set to make this start, and he's been a disaster having allowed 22 runs (21 earned) across 15.2 innings in the majors this season. Likely the best player to build a Rays stack around is Tommy Pham ($21) based on his 152 wRC+ against lefties.
Stacks
Phillies vs. Hector Noesi (Marlins)
Bryce Harper (OF - $26), J.T. Realmuto (C - $23), Jean Segura (SS - $16)
There's a reason why we hadn't seen Noesi pitch in the majors since 2015. The Marlins have given him another opportunity due to their lack of depth, but he's given up 16 runs over 15.1 innings in his three starts. He allowed two home runs in each contest and recorded three or fewer strikeouts two times. This is a spot for the Phillies to feast, likely making them one of the more popular stacks of the night. Harper is hot heading into this contest, hitting 17-for-57 (.298) with eight home runs over his last 15 games.
Rangers vs. Dylan Cease (White Sox)
Danny Santana (1B - $18), Shin-Soo Choo (OF - $14), Willie Calhoun (OF - $17)
Cease might be one of the more highly-regarded prospects in the White Sox's system, but his first taste of action in the majors has not gone well with him recording a 5.87 FIP. His walk rate checks in at 10.6 percent, which is troublesome when combined with the fact that he's give up 10 home runs over 44 innings. Despite missing a key few hitters due to injury, the Rangers still have some dangerous bats in their lineup, highlighted by this trio. Calhoun has especially stood out of late, hitting 13-for-34 (.382) with three home runs over his last nine games.
Blue Jays vs. Justus Sheffield (Mariners)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (3B - $21), Bo Bichette (SS - $25), Randal Grichuk (OF - $16)
If Sheffield is ever going to live up to the hype that has followed him throughout the minors, he's going to need to improve his control. He had a 15.6 percent walk rate at Triple-A this season, causing him to record a whopping 1.82 WHIP. The Blue Jays can do some damage now that they have called up their most talented prospects, making them an under-the-radar stack to pursue. Bichette has been extremely impressive with his 1.014 OPS since being recalled.
