This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
While it might not be the busiest of slates, we still have nine games to choose from Wednesday for the main slate on Yahoo. There are a few top-tier pitchers set to take the mound and another game at Coors Field to zero in on. Let's discuss some of the better options to consider while crafting your entry.
Pitching Overview
Blake Snell ($53) continues to hum along, allowing four runs and recording 37 strikeouts across 24.1 innings over his last four starts. In fact, he's allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight of his 10 starts this season. As hard as it is to believe, he's been even more dominant in the strikeout department than he was last year with his strikeout rate currently sitting at 36.5 percent. He'll be facing a Blue Jays team that is tied for the sixth-most strikeouts (511) in the league, making him one of the top pitchers to consider.
Another big name scheduled to start is Walker Buehler ($48), who has rebounded from a slow start to allow five earned runs and record 28 strikeouts over 26 innings in his last four starts. After allowing at least five earned runs in two of his first three starts, he hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of his seven starts since. With a matchup against an injury-riddled Mets team on tap, Buehler has an excellent opportunity to continue his recent run of success.
While it's usually not a good idea to roll with an Orioles pitcher, John Means ($42) should be on your radar. His 2.96 ERA likely won't hold up based on his 5.12 xFIP, but he's been one of their only starters to actually do a good job of limiting baserunners, resulting in his 1.17 WHIP. His last start could have been a disaster at Coors Field, but he pitched relatively well by allowing three runs over five innings. Even though he can't be counted on for strikeouts, there is still some upside here with him facing a Tigers team that has scored the second-fewest runs (180) in the league.
Key Values/Chalk
The Diamondbacks will once again be playing within the friendly confines of Coors Field, making them one of the top teams to target. They also have an excellent matchup against one of the worst starters on the Rockies staff in Jeff Hoffman. He has a career 5.20 xFIP at home, so look for the Diamondbacks to thrive.
Even though the strikeout machine that is Robbie Ray is starting for the Diamondbacks, this is still a spot to deploy right-handed hitters for the Rockies at home. He has a 1.64 WHIP across 31.2 career innings at Coors Field, so he's had trouble there like the majority of pitchers across the league. He has allowed just a .280 wOBA against left-handed hitters during his career, so try to stick to the Rockies' righties.
The Phillies find themselves in a potentially productive spot against Genesis Cabrera, who is set to make his big league debut for the Cardinals. His minor league numbers haven't been eye-popping at any level, including at Triple-A this season where he had a 6.37 xFIP and a 1.56 WHIP. Now he'll have to face Bryce Harper and company on the road, which isn't exactly ideal.
Stacks
Diamondbacks vs. Hoffman (Rockies)
Eduardo Escobar (3B - $27), Ketel Marte (OF - $24), Jarrod Dyson (OF - $16)
Escobar and Marte are the top two options on the Diamondbacks, so be prepared to pay up for them if you decide to stack against Hoffman. They certainly provide tremendous upside, especially now that Marte has improved so much in the power department. Dyson doesn't provide much in that area, but he does have a 108 wRC+ and is a terror on the base paths with his 12 steals.
Rockies vs. Ray (Diamondbacks)
Nolan Arenado (3B - $28), Trevor Story (SS - $25), Ian Desmond (OF - $20)
Arenado and Story put you in the same boat as Escobar and Marte in terms of eating up a significant portion of your budget. They should be locks in a Rockies stack still, especially Arenado since he is 16-for-33 (.485) across his last eight games. Despite his struggles, Desmond has still managed to record a .364 wOBA against lefties, making him another option to strongly consider.
Phillies vs. Cabrera (Cardinals)
Rhys Hoskins (1B - $19), Andrew McCutchen (OF - $19), Jean Segura (SS - $19)
With an inexperienced lefty on the mound, this trio could provide significant production. Hoskins brings the power to this stack while McCutchen has climbed out of his funk to hit 13-for-37 (.351) with two home runs and five doubles across his last nine games. Segura has also been stellar for the Phillies, hitting 21-for-66 (.318) with three home runs and five doubles over his last 16 games.
Orioles vs. Ryan Carpenter (Tigers)
Trey Mancini (OF - $16), Renato Nunez (1B - $13), Keon Broxton (OF - $9)
The Orioles might not stand out as an obvious stack considering they are in the bottom third of the league in runs scored and OPS. However, this is a great matchup against Carpenter and his career 1.65 WHIP. He's also allowed a staggering 13 home runs in 36.1 career innings. Mancini and Nunez are two powerful bats to target. Broxton could also provide some value since he is 6-for-18 (.333) with a home run and a double since joining the team.
