This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
It won't be the busiest night in baseball Thursday, which leaves seven games to make up the main slate on Yahoo. It starts off early at 6:10 p.m. EDT, so let's get right to it and highlight some players who might be in favorable positions to succeed.
Pitchers
There was a lot of hype surrounding Zac Gallen ($43) leading up to the season, and he's lived up to it so far. He has a 2.25 ERA through six starts, although his 3.72 FIP indicates that he might be in line for regression at some point. His WHIP is a sparkling 1.06 and he has a 29.4 percent strikeout rate to go along with a 31.8 percent hard-hit rate allowed. He avoids having to pitch in Coors Field with this matchup against the Rockies being played in Arizona, but he did hold them to two runs across seven innings in Colorado earlier this season. Don't be surprised if he has similar success in their rematch.
Staying in that same game, Kyle Freeland ($35) could also be a viable option. His ERA jumped significantly last season, some of which may be attributed to his 39.9 percent hard-hit rate allowed. However, he's improved that to a 28.8 percent hard-hit rate allowed this season, which has helped him allow three runs or fewer in each of his six starts. When he previously faced the Diamondbacks, he allowed just one run across seven innings. Don't expect many strikeouts, though, since Freeland only has a 17.8 percent strikeout rate for his career.
Top Targets
As special as Juan Soto ($27) has been during his first two seasons in the league, he's been even better this season. He enters this matchup with the Phillies sporting a .520 wOBA and a staggering .423 ISO. Trying to slow him down will be Spencer Howard ($26), who has started off his big-league career on a rocky note by allowing eight runs and posting a 2.06 WHIP across 11.2 innings.
One of the more exciting matchups for the night for potential hitting production might be Nelson Cruz ($27) facing off against Matthew Boyd ($32). The left-handed Boyd allowed 1.9 HR/9 last season and has allowed eight long balls through 28.2 innings this season. The powerful Cruz has a career .277 ISO against left-handing pitching.
Bargain Bats
Another player on the Twins who could be worth considering against Boyd is Marwin Gonzalez ($12). He's been forced into an everyday role because of injuries and he has recorded at least one hit in three of the last four games. While he only had an 88 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers last year, he produced a 106 wRC+ against lefties.
Renato Nunez ($15) established himself as one of the best power hitters on the Orioles last season with 31 home runs. He's carried that over into this year with six home runs through 29 games. He'll face left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough ($33) in this matchup with the Rays, making him an intriguing option based on his .345 wOBA and .240 ISO versus lefties last year.
Stacks to Consider
Blue Jays vs. Chris Mazza ($26), Red Sox: Teoscar Hernandez ($26), Cavan Biggio ($24), Randal Grichuk ($22)
The Blue Jays have capitalized on Boston's shaky pitching staff, scoring a combined 16 runs in the first two games of their series. They have another favorable opportunity to hang a crooked number on Mazza, who allowed four runs across three innings in his last outing against the Yankees and has spent most of his career toiling in the minors. Hernandez is on pace to set a new career-high with his .987 OPS and Grichuk has hit 22-for-67 (.328) with eight home runs and five doubles over his last 15 games.
Athletics vs. Jordan Lyles ($25), Rangers: Matt Chapman ($21), Stephen Piscotty ($19), Matt Olson ($19)
It's been a season to forget for Lyles through his first six appearances. He's allowed 26 runs (25 earned) across 24.1 innings, which includes giving up 15 runs over his last two starts. He has issued almost as many walks (13) as he has strikeouts (16), which has contributed to his 1.89 WHIP. Chapman is expected to return to the lineup after not starting Wednesday, leaving him and Olson as a dangerous power duo. Piscotty has rebounded from a disappointing 2019 campaign to record a 114 wRC+ and 26 RBI through 27 games.
