This article is part of our FantasyScore MLB series.
There are 15 games on the schedule Wednesday, with every team in the league taking the field. However, the Mastersball 50/50 GPP and BaseballHQ GPP contests only include the 11 night games. Both contests lock at 7:05 p.m. EDT.
Lineup Configuration Notes
With plenty of high-strikeout pitchers taking the hill Wednesday, honing in on the right matchups will be even more paramount. The likeliest high-scoring affairs are between Toronto and Washington, Los Angeles and Colorado, and potentially Baltimore and Houston.
With a number of high-priced bats falling outside the favorable handedness split or facing a tough pitcher, spending up for a pair of high-priced arms isn't out of the question. There are plenty of cost-effective hitters to fill out your rosters. This is especially true Wednesday, as the six most expensive starters are in excellent form. Finding approximately 35 fantasy points from your two pitching slots will likely be needed.
Additionally, and unfortunately, light rain could interfere with the potential slugfest between the Dodgers and Rockies. Mike Bolsinger and Chad Bettis have both been solid in limited action this season, but FantasyScore players should be wary of starting them Wednesday.
Arms to Target
Corey Kluber, SP, CLE, $8,800 salary, 17.6 percent of cap: Since righting the ship, and as predicted, "Klubot" has posted four consecutive contest-winning performances. His 1.56 strikeouts-per-inning (50 over his last 32) is unsustainably high, but Kansas City has also struck out 51 times over their last five games.
Cole Hamels, SP, PHI, $7,900 salary, 15.8 percent of cap: A 4-1 record with a 1.69 ERA and 38 strikeouts through 37.1 innings over his last five starts has returned Hamels to a fringe top-tier starter. The Reds have been better of late (5.8 runs per game over their last five), so it isn't a risk-free start, especially with the three-point win bonus far from a guarantee.
Chris Sale, SP, CHW, $7,900 salary, 15.8 percent of cap: Another punch-out machine who has turned in a string of plus-starts, Sale has 40 strikeouts in his last 31.1 innings over four starts. During the run, he has a 1.71 ERA and has limited opponents to a .147/.183/.266 slash line. Just note the Rangers have been frequenting posting crooked numbers on the scoreboard.
Jon Lester, SP, CHC, $7,700 salary, 15.4 percent of cap: Lester righted the ship in May, as the southpaw went 4-1 with a 1.76 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 8.1 K/9 through six starts. Outside the challenge of dealing with strikeout-leader Giancarlo Stanton, expect Lester to cruise through the fish Wednesday.
Hector Santiago, SP, LAA, $4,800 salary, 9.6 percent of cap: Through six home starts this season, Santiago has a 1.49 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 9.2 K/9. He has also held opposing hitters to a .183/.228/.252 slash line. Plus, he has been even better over his last five starts.
Anibal Sanchez, SP, DET, $4,800 salary, 9.6 percent of cap: The Jekyll and Hyde routine is grueling in seasonal leagues, but there is plenty of profit room built into his current FantasyScore salary. After all, he has 20 strikeouts through 12.2 innings over his past two starts, and the Athletics can be managed;Oakland has averaged four runs per game over their past seven.
Bats to Target
Spending Up
Joc Pederson, OF, LAD, $5,300 salary, 10.6 percent of cap: Fade Pederson at Coors Field at your own risk, as the rookie has four runs, four home runs and eight RBI over his past four games. He faces Chad Bettis, who has shown fleeting impressiveness, but who could also be due for a blow up.
Evan Gattis, C, HOU, $4,700 salary, 9.4 percent of cap: It technically isn't a hefty cap hit, but with catcher typically being a savings area, Gattis is an expensive commodity. Over his past 17 games, he has a 1.093 OPS with 13 runs, six home runs and 18 RBI.
Value
Carlos Santana, 1B, CLE, $5,000 salary, 10.0 percent of cap: Santana has been an on-base machine with pop the past nine games, and his OPS sits at 1.003. Six of his nine hits during the stretch have gone for extra bases, including two homers. While it isn't the case so far this season, historically, Santana has fared better against southpaws.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS, $4,800 salary, 9.6 percent of cap: While he has cooled (3-for-17 over his past four games), Pedroia carries a below-average salary and faces a plus-pitching matchup. As a starter, Trevor May has allowed opponents to slash .302/.353/.472 against him.
Alex Guerrero, OF, LAD, $3,900 salary, 7.8 percent of cap: You'll have to ensure he is in the starting lineup, however, that didn't matter Tuesday, as he lunched a walk-off grand slam. The upside is huge, as Guerrero currently boasts a 1.011 OPS through 104 plate appearances, which would rank among the elite mashers, if he qualified.
Jimmy Rollins, SS, LAD, $3,800 salary, 7.6 percent of cap: Through his last two starts, Rollins has four hits, four runs, a home run and totaled 16.0 FantasyScore points (playing in Coors Field helps, too). The historically slow starter has also upped his game with a .292/.333/.477 slash line over his past 18 games.
Cap Relief
Rusney Castillo, OF, BOS, $3,500 salary, 7.0 percent of cap: Strictly a speculative-upside play, Castillo is due for his first impact game of the season. While there is no guarantee he is even in the lineup, there is nothing scary about the opposing hurler.
Trevor Plouffe, 3B MIN, $3,100 salary, 6.2 percent of cap: Over his last 25 games, Plouffe has 13 runs, five home runs, 21 RBI and a .301/.371/.559 slash line. With opposing hurler Rick Porcello specializing in meatballs (13 runs allowed over his past 11.1 innings), Plouffe has nice upside, especially hitting in the cleanup spot.
