This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Get ready for a wild Tuesday in DFS with all 15 games across baseball included in Yahoo's DFS slate. With so many options to wade through, let's get right down to business and highlight some players who could be in line for productive performances.
Pitching Overview
The chalk starter of the night is going to be Trevor Bauer ($61) against the Marlins. It's basically the perfect storm. After recording a 30.8 percent strikeout rate and a 1.09 WHIP last year, Bauer's followed that up with a 28.2 percent strikeout rate and a 1.03 WHIP this season. The Marlins have yet to join in the offensive explosion that we've seen across the league, checking in with the fewest runs scored (78). To top things off, this game is being played in pitcher-friendly Marlins Park.
Another pitcher who should be among the ownership leaderboard is Blake Snell ($59) for his start against the Royals. After a brief stint on the IL due to a toe injury, Snell faced these same Royals in his last start, allowing three runs (two earned) and recording three strikeouts across 3.1 innings. He threw only 65 pitchers, so he's well rested for their rematch. He had allowed one run in his previous three starts combined and has one of the highest strikeout upsides in the league, so look for him to get back on track here with a productive outing.
As far as cheaper options go, this might be one of the few times to feel good about starting Julio Teheran ($35). He's not off to a good start with a 5.40 ERA, but he does have a 4.60 xFIP and he's been a bit unlucky with opponents recording a .337 BABIP against him. On the bright side, he has a career-high 12.2 percent swinging strike rate. The Padres have already scored the sixth-fewest runs (103) in the league and could be without Fernando Tatis Jr. (hamstring), leaving Teheran with some appeal in tournament play.
Key Values/Chalk
The Diamondbacks lineup has been one of the more pleasant surprises in the league this season. They are currently ranked fourth in runs scored (155) and eighth in home runs (41). They are a right-handed heavy lineup, which has helped them record the sixth-highest wRC+ (123) versus lefties. They'll face one in CC Sabathia who has recorded an xFIP of at least 4.29 on the road in each of the last three seasons. Don't be surprised if the Diamondbacks have another big performance here.
The Rockies also have a favorable chance to put up some runs against Jhoulys Chacin and the Brewers. Chacin is not an overpowering option by any means with just an 18.7 percent strikeout rate for his career. While it would benefit the Rockies more if this game was being played at Coors Field, Miller Park is also a favorable place to hit.
Whenever the Rangers play at home, they are a lineup to target. They recorded a .337 wOBA at Globe Life Park in Arlington last year compared to a .292 wOBA on the road. Tuesday brings a matchup against Jordan Lyles, who has a 2.05 ERA across his first four starts. However, he has a 4.40 xFIP and has only produced an 8.6 percent swinging strikeout rate. The Rangers have the potential to hang a crooked number on the Pirates in this game.
Stacks
Diamondbacks vs. Sabathia (Yankees)
Christian Walker (1B- $19), Eduardo Escobar (3B- $17), Ketel Marte (OF- $17)
Walker brings the power to this stack with his .316 ISO. His .316 average has certainly been aided by his .400 BABIP, but he also has an astonishing 68.7 percent hard hit rate. Escobar has also shown plenty of power lately, hitting 15-for-36 (.417) with four home runs and three doubles across his last 10 games. Marte completes this potentially productive trio after he recorded a robust .408 wOBA versus left-handed pitchers last year.
Rockies vs. Chacin (Brewers)
Charlie Blackmon (OF- $18), Daniel Murphy (1B - $15), David Dahl (OF- $20)
Chacin did a great job limiting right-handed hitters to a .234 wOBA last year, but lefties had far more success with a .338 wOBA. The Rockies certainly have plenty of productive lefties, starting with Blackmon. He's picked things up after a slow start, hitting 19-for-54 (.352) with three home runs and four doubles over his last 12 games streak. Murphy has at least one hit in four of five games since being activated from the IL, including two home runs and two doubles. Dahl and his career .381 wOBA versus right-handed pitchers rounds out this intriguing stack.
Rangers vs. Lyles (Pirates)
Joey Gallo (OF- $23), Nomar Mazara (OF- $16), Shin-Soo Choo (OF- $19)
Gallo loves hitting at home, recording a .379 wOBA there last year compared to a .307 wOBA on the road. With his tremendous power upside, he should be the cornerstone of a Rangers stack. Mazara has been no slouch in the power department himself this season with a .234 ISO. He's cut down his groundball rate by over eight percentage points while recording an impressive 48 percent hard hit rate. Choo is also an appealing option after recording a .385 wOBA versus righties last year.
Pirates vs. Adrian Sampson (Rangers)
Josh Bell (1B - $20), Cole Tucker (SS- $12), Gregory Polanco (OF - $16)
The Pirates might be a sneaky stack to deploy in tournament play. Even though they've scored the second-fewest runs (84), playing in Texas should help. It also helps that Sampson recorded a 4.74 xFIP and a 15.8 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A last year. Bell has a career .347 wOBA versus right-handed pitchers and has hit for more power this year with a .312 ISO. Tucker hadn't played above Triple-A before this season, but he has a ton of speed and could be worth a look at this price. Getting Polanco back from the IL is big for the Pirates, especially for this matchup considering he had a .360 wOBA versus righties last season.
