This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
We have another busy day of baseball with 16 games on the schedule Wednesday. Nine of those will make up the main evening slate on Yahoo, leaving us with plenty of viable options to consider. Here are some players that stand out based on their favorable matchups.
Pitchers
There are a few aces set to take the mound across the league, one of which is Jacob deGrom ($58). As impressive as he has been during his career, he might actually be having his best season yet. He enters with a 1.67 ERA and a 1.96 FIP to go along with a 0.87 WHIP. Even his 37.8 percent strikeout rate is on pace to be his personal best. This could be a long night for the Phillies, who deGrom held to one run while recording 12 strikeouts over seven innings earlier this season.
The Giants are running out of options for their starting rotation, so they will turn to Drew Smyly ($31) to make another start. Although he's only made four appearances this season, he's pitched well with a 2.39 FIP and a 1.14 WHIP. He also has a surprisingly high 35.9 percent strikeout rate, which is more than 12 percentage points higher than his career mark. This could be a great spot for him to keep things rolling against the Mariners, who have the second-lowest OPS against left-handed pitchers (.617) in baseball.
Top Targets
Ronald Acuna Jr. ($27) has increased his walk rate to 18.8 percent this year, which has helped boost him to a .420 wOBA. His power numbers have also taken a significant leap forward, including his .336 ISO. Add in his career 141 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers and he's a great option against Keegan Akin ($27) and the Orioles.
One of the bright spots on the Tigers this season has been Jeimer Candelario ($20). He has a robust .404 wOBA and his ISO has increased from .134 last year to .247 this season. His .395 BABIP likely wouldn't hold up over the course of a normal 162-game season, but his 46.6 percent hard-hit rate is very encouraging. Don't be surprised if he has another strong performance against Brady Singer ($33), who isn't an overwhelming pitcher given his 4.65 FIP and 21.8 percent strikeout rate.
Bargain Bats
It's difficult to resist adding Isiah Kiner-Falefa ($13) to this section most nights. He's been a model of consistency for the Rangers, recording at least one hit in 21 of his last 23 games. During that stretch, he is 33-for-86 (.384) with two home runs and two doubles. This is a favorable spot for him to find his way on base a time or two against Lance McCullers Jr. ($34), who has a bloated 1.42 WHIP.
Whenever a left-handed pitcher is on the mound, Hanser Alberto ($10) should be on your radar. He had a .400 wOBA against them last season and has followed that up with a .367 wOBA this season. His opponent Cole Hamels (triceps) is expected to be activated from the IL to make his first start of the season, so he might not exactly be sharp out of the gate.
Stacks to Consider
Yankees vs. Tanner Roark ($26), Blue Jays: Luke Voit ($21), DJ LeMahieu ($18), Gio Urshela ($14)
The Yankees received a couple of key hitters back from the IL on Tuesday and they responded by exploding for 20 runs against the Blue Jays. It's no coincidence that the scoring outburst came at Yankee Stadium, where they have a .861 OPS this season. They can hang another crooked number on the Blue Jays here with Roark on the mound, who has a 6.82 FIP and has allowed 2.6 HR/9. Voit has been one of their best hitters all season, at times carrying their injury-riddled lineup with his .403 wOBA and .354 ISO.
White Sox vs. Jake Odorizzi ($27), Twins: Jose Abreu ($26), Tim Anderson ($21), Luis Robert ($18)
This is a rough matchup for Odorizzi in his first start off the IL. He wasn't pitching well before going down, allowing nine runs across 10 innings. Strangely enough, each of his three starts has come against the Royals, who don't exactly have a great lineup. By contrast, the White have one of the most dangerous lineups in the league. Leading the way has been Anderson, who has four straight multi-hit games while posting a career-high 1.019 OPS for the season, overall.
Astros vs. Kyle Gibson ($25), Rangers: George Springer ($21), Michael Brantley ($18), Alex Bregman ($17)
The wheels have come off for Gibson, who has allowed 24 runs across 26.2 innings in his last five starts. He has a 1.80 WHIP during that stretch, which is an area that has usually plagued him given his career 1.42 WHIP. That could mean a big night is on the horizon for the Astros, who are still dangerous despite a couple of key hitters being out with injuries. Springer has been particularly hot of late, hitting 17-for-52 (.327) with five home runs and two doubles across his last 13 games.
