This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
There are a ton of games across baseball Friday with several teams playing doubleheaders. However, it's not an overly packed main slate on Yahoo considering it's made up of nine games. Here are some players to consider as you navigate your way through the options.
Pitchers
In the discussion for the NL Cy Young award this season is Yu Darvish ($57), who is scheduled to take the mound against the Cardinals at home. His 1.47 ERA through seven starts has been supported by a 2.02 FIP and he's once again missing plenty of bats with his 30.8 percent strikeout rate. He's actually shown impeccable control with a 4.7 percent walk rate that would be the lowest mark of his career. The last time he faced the Cardinals, he allowed one run and recorded seven strikeouts across seven innings.
Another pitcher with significant strikeout upside is Corbin Burnes ($37), who has recorded a 35.1 percent strikeout rate for the Brewers. Although his numbers aren't as dazzling as Darvish's, he's not that far behind him with a 2.78 ERA and a 2.45 FIP through seven appearances, four of which were starts. This is a favorable matchup for him against the Indians, who are averaging just 4.3 runs a game this season.
Top Targets
Corey Seager is swinging a hot bat heading into his matchup with the Rockies, hitting 16-for-41 with three home runs and three doubles across his last 10 games. He's finally been able to stay healthy and is putting together a stellar campaign with a 161 wRC+. He could be a tough matchup for Antonio Senzatela ($29), who allowed a .394 wOBA against left-handed hitters last season.
The Mariners have to be excited about the play of Kyle Lewis ($18), who has cut back on his strikeouts significantly on his way to a .406 wOBA. His walk rate has even jumped to 13.7 percent. This could be a prime spot to add him to your entry against the Rangers, who are set to start Kyle Cody ($27). He hasn't logged more than 2.1 innings in any of his relief appearances this season, so this should be mostly a bullpen game for the Rangers.
Bargain Bats
Not much has gone right for the Rangers this season, but they have to be encouraged by the improvement that Isiah Kiner-Falefa ($13) has made. His strikeout rate has dropped by nearly seven percentage points compared to last season. He's recorded at least one hit in 10 of his last 11 games, hitting 14-for-41 (.341) with two home runs and a double during that stretch. Add in his 192 wRC+ against left-handed pitching and he's worth considering with Yusei Kikuchi ($25) starting for the Mariners.
If you're looking for someone who probably won't be included in a lot of entries, Michael Brantley ($12) should be on your radar. The Astros will face the Angels, who are scheduled to start Dylan Bundy ($45). Bundy has been downright dominant against right-handed hitters, holding them to a .181 wOBA. However, lefties have had more success with a .309 wOBA against him. Brantley is in a groove right now, hitting 11-for-26 (.423) with two home runs and five doubles across his last seven games.
Stacks to Consider
Phillies vs. Rick Porcello ($27), Mets: Bryce Harper ($26), Andrew McCutchen ($20), Didi Gregorius ($18)
It's been a rough season for Porcello, who enters this game with a 6.00 ERA. He has been a bit unlucky, though, considering his 3.10 FIP and .389 BABIP allowed. However, it doesn't help his cause that he doesn't miss many bats, recording a 17.4 percent strikeout rate for his career. This could end up being a productive night for the Phillies, who have the second-highest OPS (.807) in baseball. McCutchen started off the season poorly, but he's rebounded to hit 22-for-68 (.324) with four home runs and four doubles across his last 16 games.
White Sox vs. Brady Singer ($29), Royals: Jose Abreu ($25), Tim Anderson ($23), Luis Robert ($21)
This is a scary matchup for Singer. He doesn't miss many bats and has allowed 2.1 HR/9 through seven starts. His propensity for giving up the long ball could really be a problem here with the White Sox having hit the third-most home runs in baseball. Abreu could be a key part of any White Sox stack since he is 28-for-70 (.400) with nine home runs and six doubles during his current 17-game hitting streak. Robert has been red-hot in the power department, slugging six home runs and two doubles over his last 12 games.
Mets vs. Jake Arrieta ($25), Phillies: Dominic Smith ($22), Robinson Cano ($22), Michael Conforto ($22)
It's been another disappointing season from Arrieta, who has a 4.88 FIP and a 1.56 WHIP through six starts. His strikeout rate is a mere 16.2 percent and is on pace to decline in each of the last six seasons. Left-handed hitters had a .387 wOBA against him last year, so this trio could do plenty of damage. Cano is having a resurgent campaign, posting a 187 wRC+ and a .292 ISO. He's never been one to strike out much, but he's been even better in that department this season with just a 10.7 percent strikeout rate.
