This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Tuesday's packed slate in the majors brings an interesting mix of top-tier starting pitchers and offenses lined up with favorable matchups. As a result, there are varying approaches to consider when crafting your entry. Let's break things down while also discussing possible ownership percentages.
Pitching Overview
Among the stud pitchers set to take the mound are Justin Verlander ($61), Clayton Kershaw ($51) and Zack Greinke ($52). All three are viable options, especially Verlander, who will be facing the White Sox at home. However, another pitcher who is working his way into this tier is Caleb Smith ($52). He's been lights out for the Marlins, recording a 2.94 xFIP, 0.92 WHIP and a 35.2 percent strikeout rate. Opposing him with be a Tigers lineup that has scored the second-fewest runs (149) in the league, so look for him to provide another excellent stat line.
Another young pitcher in the midst of a breakout campaign is Domingo German ($50). He's been one of the main reasons why the Yankees continue to be successful despite all of their injuries, recording a 3.85 xFIP and a 0.95 WHIP. Not only has he continued to be a great source for strikeouts with his 26 percent strikeout rate, but he's only allowed four home runs across 50.1 innings. This will mark his third time facing the lackluster Orioles lineup this season. He had plenty of success the first two times around, allowing three runs and recording 11 strikeouts across 13 innings.
With so many top-tier options available, Julio Teheran ($37) might be a cheap alternative to pursue if you want to add a few high-priced hitters to your entry. He's increased his strikeout rate to 23.9 percent and he's only allowed one run across his last three starts. That's pretty impressive considering two of his opponents were the Diamondbacks and Cardinals. He'll have a much easier task against the Giants, who enter this game with the fourth-lowest OPS (.655) in baseball.
Key Values/Chalk
The Astros continue to light up the league offensively, so look for them to be popular facing Dylan Covey. After allowing a 1.49 WHIP last year, Covey's been equally as bad this season with a 1.47 WHIP to go along with a bloated 7.31 xFIP. He's also allowed 1.6 HR/9 for his career, which could be his demise against the Astros powerful lineup.
The Mariners also find themselves in a favorable spot facing Lance Lynn at Globe Life Park in Arlington, which is one of the more hitter-friendly parks in the league. In three starts at home this season, Lynn has allowed 14 runs across 17.1 innings. With his strikeout rate also sitting at just 20.6 percent, he's not exactly an overpowering force on the mound.
Stacking against the Orioles is usually not a bad idea considering their lackluster pitching staff, so the Yankees should have a few hitters among the ownership leader board against David Hess. His 5.70 xFIP is certainly a concern, but so is the fact that he's allowed 14 home runs in 40.1 innings. In his last two starts against the Yankees, he's allowed nine runs (eight earned) and seven home runs across 11 innings. Yikes.
Stacks
Astros vs. Covey (White Sox)
Alex Bregman (3B - $26), Michael Brantley (OF - $22), Josh Reddick (OF - $17)
Considering Covey's propensity for giving up home runs, it's hard to pass on Bregman if you are employing an Astros stack. He has 10 home runs across his last 19 games, which has helped propel him to a .294 ISO for the season. Covey has allowed a .355 wOBA against left-handed hitters for his career, making Brantley and Reddick two excellent supporting options to add to Bregman.
Mariners vs. Lynn (Rangers)
Daniel Vogelbach (1B - $17), Jay Bruce (OF - $10), Mallex Smith (OF - $8)
Lynn has allowed a wOBA of at least .349 to left-handed hitters in three-straight seasons, so this trio could provide upside without breaking the bank at a total of $35. Vogelbach and Bruce bring plenty of power upside with both of them having an ISO of at least .309 this season. After a brief demotion to the minors, Smith has rejoined the Mariners after tearing up Triple-A. He's only 4-for-19 since being recalled, but this is still a matchup to consider taking a chance on him in tournament play.
Yankees vs. Hess (Orioles)
Luke Voit (1B - $22), Gleyber Torres (SS - $19), Aaron Hicks (OF - $18)
With the rate at which Hess has been giving up home runs, Voit has to be the top Yankee to build a stack around. Torres is a hot hitter to target since he is 31-for-87 (.356) with six home runs and seven doubles over his last 22 games. Since Hess allowed a .352 wOBA against left-handed hitters last year, Hicks is also a great option now that he's healthy again.
Angels vs. Michael Pineda (Twins)
Mike Trout (OF - $23), Brian Goodwin (OF - $14), Tommy La Stella (2B - $20)
Pineda's return from Tommy John surgery has been a struggle with him recording a 4.80 xFIP and a 1.34 WHIP. He's average fastball velocity is down two miles-per-hour from his career mark, so it's not a big surprise that his strikeout rate sits at just 20.4 percent. Trout, who is 12-for-37 (.324) with three home runs and three doubles across his last 10 games, should prove to be a tough out. While it might be hard to believe, La Stella has been even better by hitting 19-for-43 (.452) with four home runs across his last 11 contests.
