This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
We don't have the busiest of schedules Wednesday with only eight games making up the main evening slate on Yahoo. There are a couple of top-tier pitchers set to take the mound, but the overall options are underwhelming, so offense might reign supreme. Here are some players to consider as you work your way through the options.
Pitching Overview
After having Mike Clevinger on the mound Tuesday, the Indians throw another one of their top pitchers against the White Sox in Shane Bieber ($54). He's been the rock of their rotation all season, compiling a 3.31 FIP and a 31 percent strikeout rate. With the White Sox scoring the third-fewest runs and striking out the sixth-most times in baseball, expect Bieber to be one of the most popular pitchers across DFS.
Zac Gallen ($39) has started off his career on a high note, compiling a 2.79 ERA and a 3.53 FIP with the Marlins and Diamondbacks, combined. He's also missed plenty of bats on his way to a 28.2 percent strikeout rate. He'll look to keep things rolling against the Padres, who have a compromised lineup now that Fernando Tatis Jr. (back) is out. His absence has certainly been felt with the Padres scoring four runs or fewer in 13 of their last 16 games.
Tanner Roark ($36) had his worst start since joining the A's in his last outing, allowing four runs across six innings against the Royals. Prior to that, he had given up two earned runs or fewer in four straight starts. That included two tough matchups against the Yankees and Astros, both of which came at home. He'll once again be pitching inside the friendly confines of his home park versus the Angels, making him a cheaper option to at least consider in tournament play.
Key Values/Chalk
Even though this game isn't being played at Coors Field, the Dodgers figure to be one of the chalk stacks of the night at home against the Rockies. They will face Antonio Senzatela, who actually has a higher FIP on the road (5.65) than he does at Coors Field (5.25). Left-handed hitters have recorded a .413 wOBA against him, making Cody Bellinger ($22), Corey Seager ($17) and Gavin Lux ($15) all players to consider.
The Royals generally struggle to score runs, but they are presented with a unique opportunity to thrive against the Tigers and Edwin Jackson. Jackson did hold the Royals to one run across 6.1 innings about a month ago, but he enters this outing having allowed 19 runs (18 earned) over 12.1 innings in his last three starts. Overall, he has a 7.52 FIP and has allowed 2.9 HR/9, so don't be surprised if the Royals get to him this time around. Among their most appealing options is Jorge Soler ($26), who enters with a career-high .297 ISO.
Another team that is normally not worth pursuing in DFS is the Pirates, who are in the bottom-half of the league in runs scored. However, with a favorable matchup against Robert Dugger on tap, they are worth considering. Dugger did pitch well within the friendly confines of Marlins Park in his last outing, but he'll have to face the Pirates on the road. He had a 6.01 FIP at Triple-A, so don't read too much into one good start. This is a prime spot to deploy Bryan Reynolds ($23), who has a 153 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers.
Stacks
Twins vs. Eduardo Rodriguez (Red Sox)
Nelson Cruz (OF - $27), Jorge Polanco (SS - $18), Miguel Sano (3B - $18)
Rodriguez is once again having a productive season for the Red Sox, recording a 4.23 FIP and a whopping 16 wins. He'll be faced with a tough matchup against the Twins, who scored four runs and hit two home runs off of him in a game back in June. The Twins have a few right-handed bats who mash lefties, including the powerful duo of Cruz and Sano. In fact, Cruz's 180 wRC+ versus southpaws is his highest mark since 2015.
Athletics vs. Patrick Sandoval (Angels)
Marcus Semien (SS- $21), Matt Chapman (3B - $18), Mark Canha (OF - $21)
While Sandoval has an unsightly 5.24 ERA across his first five appearances, his 3.31 FIP is encouraging. His problem has been his control, resulting in a 10.1 percent walk rate. Trying to take advantage of his struggles in that area will be the A's, who are making yet another push towards a Wild Card spot. Chapman and Canha both have an ISO over .260 while Semien has a career-high .215 ISO, leaving this trio with significant upside.
Marlins vs. Trevor Williams (Pirates)
Jon Berti (SS - $20), Starlin Castro (3B - $20), Harold Ramirez (OF - $11)
Williams surprisingly pitched well in his last outing by allowing three runs over seven innings against the Rockies at Coors Field. However, he's certainly an underwhelming option with his 4.84 FIP and 17.3 percent strikeout rate. With the limited slate that we are facing, stacking the Marlins in tournament play might be a risk worth taking. The veteran Castro is the player to build a Marlins stack around with him hitting 18-for-57 (.316) with five home runs and three doubles over his last 15 games.
