This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
With a full slate of night games Tuesday, we have a ton of options to consider on Yahoo. There are a few aces set to take the mound and some lineups in great spots to score in bunches, so there are a few different approaches that could be taken when compiling your lineup. Lets' start breaking down the matchups and highlighting some of the more intriguing names to target.
Pitching Overview
Among the top-tier pitchers set to start is Justin Verlander ($62) against the Reds. He's had issues with home runs this season, but his five percent walk rate and 0.73 WHIP have still left him with a sparkling 2.41 ERA. He's also sporting a 32.8 percent strikeout rate, so he's far from struggling. The Reds are in the bottom third of the league in runs and OPS, so look for Verlander to shine in this matchup. It also helps his cause that this game will be played in Cincinnati, so he won't have to face the DH.
Right up there with Verlander in terms of favorable matchups is Clayton Kershaw ($56) for his start against the Giants. While Kershaw doesn't provide the same high strikeout potential, he's also done a great job of limiting base runners with his 1.08 WHIP. The last time he faced the Giants, he allowed only two runs across seven innings. That should come as no surprise considering the Giants have the second-lowest OPS (.660) and have scored the third-fewest runs (269).
Working our way towards the cheaper options brings us to Zach Plesac ($31), who allowed four runs over 5.1 innings in his last start against the Reds. However, he had allowed two runs or fewer in each of his first three starts, two of which came against the Red Sox and Yankees. Normally, rolling with a pitcher facing the Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington is a bad idea. However, the Rangers are really banged up right now with Joey Gallo (oblique), Hunter Pence (groin) and Nomar Mazara (hamstring) all injured. He likely won't be in a lot of lineups, so he could be worth considering in tournament play.
Key Values/Chalk
After failing to cash in on a favorable matchup against Tyler Beede on Monday, the Dodgers lineup will look to do some damage against Shaun Anderson, who has just a 15.3 percent strikeout rate through his first six starts. Max Muncy ($23) is one of the top players on the Dodgers to target, especially since he's 18-for-53 (.340) with six home runs over his last 15 games.
The dismantling of the Mariners is well underway. They've already dealt away two big hitters in Jay Bruce and Edwin Encarnacion and would likely love to deal away other veterans as the trade deadline approaches. While their lineup isn't nearly as potent as it was earlier in the year, they still have a favorable matchup to exploit against Homer Bailey and his 1.45 WHIP. Daniel Vogelbach ($21) has one of the highest power upsides on the team and has a robust 184 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers. Mallex Smith ($17) has also come alive, hitting 28-for-92 (.304) with three home runs, six doubles and 10 steals over his last 21 games.
With the Padres pitching staff still reeling from a brutal four-game series at Coors Field, they will call up Logan Allen to make a start. The problem is that he might not be able to provide much relief since he had a 4.75 FIP at Triple-A. With a lefty on the mound, Yasmani Grandal ($23), Lorenzo Cain ($10) and Ryan Braun ($12) are all worth considering.
Stacks
Cubs vs. Ivan Nova (White Sox)
Anthony Rizzo (1B - $26), Kyle Schwarber (OF - $24), Jason Heyward (OF - $16)
The Cubs figure to be one of the more popular stacks for the night with Nova on the mound. His inability to generate strikeouts continues to be a problem, leaving him with a 5.18 FIP and a 1.60 WHIP. He's allowed 14 home runs across 77.1 innings, leaving the powerful duo of Rizzo and Schwarber with tremendous upside. Heyward is a slightly cheaper option to also consider since Nova has allowed a .400 wOBA to lefties.
Astros vs. Anthony DeSclafani (Reds)
Yordan Alvarez (OF - $24), Michael Brantley (OF - $13), Josh Reddick (OF - $14)
Verlander isn't the only player on the Astros worth targeting. Their hitters could also provide plenty of value against Anthony DeSclafani, who has struggled with a 5.07 FIP. Left-handed hitters have recorded a .401 wOBA against him, making this a potentially dangerous trio. Alvarez has been everything the Astros could have hope for after recalling him from the minors, hitting 9-for-26 (.346) with four home runs and six walks across seven games.
Athletics vs. Gabriel Ynoa (Orioles)
Matt Chapman (3B - $19), Khris Davis (OF - $15), Matt Olson (1B - $22)
Ynoa is yet another Orioles pitcher who can't keep hitters inside the ballpark. He's allowed 1.9 HR/9 this season, which is even worse when you factor in his 1.43 WHIP. This trio carries tremendous power potential, even considering Davis' down season with his .224 ISO. Despite his poor batting average, Olson has launched 11 home runs across 37 games since being activated from the IL.
