This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Wednesday brings another packed slate in baseball with 12 games making up the main evening slate on Yahoo. While there aren't a lot of exciting matchups due to injuries or teams resting some of their veterans, there is still plenty of money to be won, so let's highlight some of the better players to consider.
Pitching Overview
The Mets will continue to try and keep their faint playoff hopes alive when Jacob deGrom ($57) takes the mound against the Marlins. It's about as epic of a mismatch as you can get with deGrom posting a 2.72 FIP and the Marlins scoring the second-fewest runs in baseball. He's already faced them five times this season, allowing 11 runs (10 earned) and recording 39 strikeouts over 31 innings. He should be one of the more popular pitching options for the night.
Another one of the top pitchers set to take the mound is Shane Bieber ($53), who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 11 of his last 12 starts. While his 3.32 FIP is impressive, his most mouth-watering stat is his 30.3 percent strikeout rate, which is in stark contrast to his 24.3 percent mark from last season. Taking their hacks against him will be the White Sox, who have struck out the sixth-most times in baseball. If you decide to fade deGrom, Bieber also carries tremendous upside.
For those looking to save some money at starting pitcher, rolling with Jeff Samardzija ($39) might not be a bad idea. He's had his ups and down, but he's allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight of his last 11 starts. However, unlike deGrom and Bieber, he doesn't miss many bats with his 18.9 percent strikeout rate. Still, with a favorable matchup at home against a Rockies team that has the second-lowest road wRC+ (75) in baseball, he might be able to provide value.
Key Values/Chalk
Expect to see a lot of Indians' hitters deployed across DFS with Ross Detwiler on the mound for the White Sox. He's been hit like a piñata lately, allowing 26 runs and seven home runs over 25.2 innings in his last seven appearances. He certainly didn't help his cause by walking 17 batters during that stretch. It's not difficult to make a case for most of the players on the Indians, but one who stands out is Jordan Luplow ($21) based on his 190 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers.
Robert Dugger's 4.45 ERA through his first six starts isn't awful, but his 5.72 FIP certainly doesn't paint a rosy picture of his performance. His worst outing came against the Mets at Citi Field, which is exactly where he will be again Wednesday. In that contest, the Mets scored six runs and hit two home runs off of him over five innings. Pete Alonso ($19) and Jeff McNeil ($19) are the top-tier options on the Mets to target while J.D. Davis ($15) is also worth considering if he's in the lineup since he is 21-for-56 (.375) with two home runs and five doubles over his last 18 games.
The Blue Jays are limping along in the final week of the season having lost both Bo Bichette (concussion) and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (illness). Still, they are in a favorable position to shine against Gabriel Ynoa and the Orioles. While they only scored three runs against him over 6.1 innings last week, they did hit two home runs. That's been a common problem for Ynoa considering he's allowed 2.3 HR/9 for the season. Among the top targets on the Blue Jays is Cavan Biggio ($26), who is 20-for-51 (.392) with four home runs, three doubles, two triples and three steals over his last 13 games.
Stacks
Nationals vs. Drew Smyly (Phillies)
Anthony Rendon (3B - $26), Juan Soto (OF - $24), Asdrubal Cabrera (2B - $17)
The only word of caution here is to keep an eye out for the Nationals' lineup leading up to first pitch. These two teams played a doubleheader Tuesday and the Nationals have now locked up a Wild Card spot, so they could rest some of their regulars. However, this is a great matchup for them to exploit since Smyly enters with a 6.51 FIP and a 1.64 WHIP.
Astros vs. Yusei Kikuchi (Mariners)
Jose Altuve (2B - $21), Alex Bregman (3B - $27), George Springer (OF - $26)
Although this trio will break the bank, they also have mouth-watering upside. Kikuchi has been a train wreck during his first season in the majors, recording a 5.55 ERA that is supported by a 5.58 FIP. He's allowed 2.1 HR/9 to go along with his 1.54 WHIP while posting just a 16.1 percent strikeout rate. Springer has been on a power surge lately, launching 11 home runs over his last 18 games.
Rangers vs. Rick Porcello (Red Sox)
Danny Santana (1B - $16), Shin-Soo Choo (OF - $16), Willie Calhoun (OF - $19)
The Red Sox failed to make the playoffs this season not because of their lineup, but because of their pitching staff. Porcello was one of their starters who struggled, posting a 5.56 ERA and a 4.88 FIP. His WHIP jumped all the way up to 1.41 after he finished last season with a 1.18 mark in that category. The Rangers have had plenty of their own pitching issues this year, although they do have some dangerous hitters in their lineup. One of which is Calhoun, who has emerged from regular playing time with a .258 ISO and a .351 wOBA.
