This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Thursday's don't always bring a ton of action in the majors, but that won't be a problem this week with nine games making up the main evening slate on Yahoo. There are a few exciting matchups, including the Dodgers hosting the Cubs. Let's dive in and discuss some players to target while crafting your entry.
Pitching Overview
Matthew Boyd ($53) has been a rock for the Tigers, allowing three earned runs or fewer in 13 of his 14 starts. He's done an excellent job of limiting base runners with his 1.04 WHIP and has seen his strikeout rate increase from 22.4 percent in 2018 to 30.5 percent this season. The Royals have the third-worst wRC+ (73) against left-handed pitchers in baseball, so look for Boyd to continue his run of dominance.
As the Red Sox try to battle their way back into the AL East division race, David Price ($44) came up with huge performances against the Yankees and Rays in his last two outings, allowing three runs and recording 16 strikeouts across 12.1 innings. With his 3.06 FIP and 1.05 WHIP, he's been one of the Red Sox most reliable starters. He's even increased his strikeout rate to 29.4 percent, which is nearly six percentage points higher than his career mark. He'll be facing a Rangers lineup that is loaded with left-handed hitters, making him another excellent pitcher to target.
Continuing our run on left-handers brings us to J.A. Happ ($46) against the White Sox. His first full season with the Yankees hasn't been all that great with his 4.48 ERA and even worse 5.19 FIP. The problem has been his inability to keep hitters inside the ballpark, which has resulted in him allowing 16 home runs across 70.1 innings. The good news is that he'll be facing the White Sox, who have hit the sixth-fewest home runs (74) in baseball. While he's risky, he might be worth taking a chance on in tournament play.
Key Values/Chalk
The Rockies should be a popular stack playing at home, but don't sleep on the Padres. They will take on Jon Gray, who has allowed at least four runs in five of his 13 starts. He's also given up at least one home run in six of his last eight outings. This could be a prime opportunity to deploy Fernando Tatis Jr. ($22) and even Manny Machado ($14) at his reduced price tag.
Adrian Sampson has gone on an impressive run for the Rangers that has seen him allow eight runs (seven earned) and record 30 strikeouts over 31.2 innings in his last five outings. However, facing the Red Sox at Fenway Park is no easy task. He's actually allowed a higher wOBA against right-handed hitters (.373) than he has lefties (.314) during his career, so he could have trouble against the likes of Mookie Betts ($16), J.D. Martinez ($21) and Xander Bogaerts ($21).
Normally, the anemic Blue Jays are not a lineup to target. However, the Orioles pitching staff turn even the most unappealing lineup into a viable DFS threat. Originally a member of their bullpen, Ynoa is set to make his fourth straight start. His first three have been respectable, but he faced the Tigers and Giants in two of them. He's also allowed six home runs across just 32.2 innings, leaving Justin Smoak ($17) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($16) as two intriguing choices.
Stacks
Rockies vs. Matt Strahm (Padres)
Nolan Arenado (3B - $26), Trevor Story (SS - $25), Ian Desmond (OF - $19)
Strahm (ribs) is expected to be activated off the IL to start this unfavorable matchup at Coors Field. He's allowed 10 home runs across 60.1 innings, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him struggle. Arenado and Story carry the highest upside on the team, although it's important to monitor Arenado's status after he left Wednesday's game with a bruised forearm. Desmond is an excellent compliment to that duo based on his .397 wOBA versus lefties this season.
Yankees vs. Ivan Nova (White Sox)
DJ LeMahieu (2B - $22), Aaron Hicks (OF - $19), Didi Gregorius (SS - $18)
The Yankees lineup is looking even more dangerous these days with a couple of key players coming back from injury. They could do plenty of damage against Nova, who has a 5.18 FIP and a 1.62 WHIP to go along with a .406 wOBA allowed to left-handed hitters. Hicks had a .367 wOBA against righties last year and has a .342 mark against them this season despite his overall struggles. Gregorius is another dangerous lefty to consider while LeMahieu has been one of their most consistent hitters with his .348 wOBA and 118 wRC+.
Diamondbacks vs. Erick Fedde (Nationals)
Eduardo Escobar (3B - $24), Ketel Marte (OF - $17), David Peralta (OF - $16)
Since moving into the starting rotation, Fedde has made four starts and allowed six runs over 20 innings. That looks great, but he faced the Mets, Marlins, Reds and Padres during that stretch. That's a pretty favorable schedule. This will be a much tougher row to hoe against the Diamondbacks, who have scored the fourth-most runs (361). Escobar and Marte are both having stellar seasons with Marte already setting a new career-high with 17 home runs. Peralta has also performed well since returning from the IL, including recording two home runs and three doubles over his last seven games.
