This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
With only a few day games on the docket Wednesday, we have 11 games to choose from for the main evening slate on Yahoo. The night will be heavy on top-tier pitchers, which should make scoring hard to come by in several games. Here are some of the top options to consider when compiling your squad.
Pitching Overview
It doesn't get much better than Justin Verlander ($63) at home against the Tigers. He's having another dominant season with a 0.84 WHIP and a 34.9 percent strikeout rate. Really, his only weak spot has been the fact that he has allowed 1.6 HR/9. Considering the Tigers have hit the second-fewest home runs in baseball, that likely won't be an issue in this contest.
If there is one thing that you can count on with Julio Teheran ($37), it's that his ERA will outperform his FIP. He's on pace to do that yet again this season with his 3.71 ERA and 4.54 FIP. His 1.34 WHIP doesn't instill a lot of confidence, but it's hard to resist him when he's facing the Marlins. Over four previous starts against them this season, he's allowed one run and recorded 22 strikeouts over 25 innings. It doesn't get much better than that.
If you want to take a chance on a cheaper option in tournament play, Mike Montgomery ($32) might be your man. He's strung together a couple of strong starts, allowing one unearned run and recording 15 strikeouts over his last 13 innings. One was an easy matchup against the Tigers, but the other was impressive considering it game against a hot Mets squad. The Orioles have fifth-lowest wRC+ (86) against left-handed pitchers in baseball, which could result in Montgomery continuing his recent run of success.
Key Values/Chalk
The Astros should remain a popular stack with Daniel Norris set to take the mound for the Tigers. Norris only logged three innings in his last start and was followed by Drew VerHagen, which is reportedly something that we could see with him for the rest of the season. Norris has a 4.86 FIP while VerHagen has a 5.68 FIP, so neither pitcher has performed well. Expect to see Alex Bregman ($27) in a lot of entries since he is 24-for-60 (.400) with four home runs and 10 doubles over his last 16 games.
Dereck Rodriguez will be given the difficult task of trying to slow down the Cubs at Wrigley Field. They have a 106 wRC+ at home compared to a 94 wRC+ on the road. Rodriguez has bounced between the starting rotation and the bullpen, but he's generally struggled, producing a 5.11 FIP and a 1.39 WHIP. This could be a prime spot to deploy Anthony Rizzo ($16), who has a .409 wOBA against right-handed pitchers and a .414 wOBA at home.
After getting lit up for 16 runs Tuesday, the Blue Jays will use opener Wilmer Font against the Dodgers on Wednesday. Their bullpen will have a tough row to hoe considering the Dodgers have an outstanding 120 wRC+ at home. Not only is Cody Bellinger ($23) a top option to consider, but so is Will Smith ($27), who is 10-for-26 (.385) with five home runs and two doubles during his eight-game hitting streak.
Stacks
Nationals vs. Joe Musgrove (Pirates)
Anthony Rendon (3B - $22), Juan Soto (OF - $26), Matt Adams (1B - $16)
There have been few pitchers as difficult to predict this season as Musgrove. Just when it looked like the wheels were coming off, he spun a gem in his last start against the Cubs, giving up two runs and recording nine strikeouts over 7.1 inning. Still, the Nationals lineup has performed well outside of Tuesday's quiet performance, making this is a matchup to exploit. Specifically, Soto has been about as good as it gets by hitting 15-for-41 (.366) with seven home runs and three doubles over his last 10 games.
Red Sox vs. Drew Smyly (Phillies)
J.D. Martinez (OF - $27), Mookie Betts (OF - $27), Sam Travis (1B - $19)
Well, at least the Phillies were able to squeeze a couple of good starts out of Smyly when they first brought him on board in July. It's been all downhill over his last three starts with him allowing 16 runs (14 earned) and six home runs over 15.2 innings. This is a prime opportunity to add Martinez to your entry given his 232 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers. Travis could also be a cheaper source for power since he has a .870 slugging percentage across his last 10 games.
Royals vs. Aaron Brooks (Orioles)
Whit Merrifield (OF - $17), Jorge Soler (OF - $27), Hunter Dozier (3B - $25)
The Royals might not have a great lineup, but facing Brooks makes them a team to pursue. To say he's pitched poorly would be an understatement considering he has an 11.05 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP over his last five appearances. Teams have launched seven home runs against him across 22 innings during that stretch, so Soler carries tremendous upside here. Dozier could also do plenty of damage in that area considering his career-high .266 ISO.
