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. ET.
If you're after a few more details and FantasyScore specifics, they can be found here.
Also, take a peek through Michael Rathburn's latest Fantasy 101 article; it is an excellent resource to aid your lineup assembly.
Lineup Configuration Notes
The player pool seems a little shallow Wednesday, especially the starting pitching, third base and middle infield options. There are values to be plucked, though, so you'll still have some options across price points. Being picky with your arms is advised, as finding approximately 30 fantasy points from your two pitchers is vital.
Matt Harvey, Jake Arrieta and Tyson Ross have been rather consistent for the most part this season, and for good reason all three project to have a high ownership percentage. There are enough bargain bats to easily fit a combination of the three under the cap, but there are also a few lower-priced arms that can help alleviate cap space for more expensive bats, too.
Those looking to stack can look to the two Chicago teams: the White Sox face Vincent Velasquez, who is making his debut start with only two starts above Class-A. The Cubs, meanwhile, draw struggling Shane Greene. Personally, I find it difficult to tout the North Siders, and rarely do because of my fan bias. Still, I like their chances Wednesday. The Dodgers beating around Jeremy Hellickson isn't out of the question, either.
Arms to Target
Matt Harvey, SP, NYM, $9,000 salary, 18.0 percent of cap: The upside for 10 strike outs makes the Dark Knight a easy consideration for daily players when he takes the hill. With the dearth of high-end arms starting Wednesday, expect Harvey to carry a high ownership percentage.
Jake Arrieta, SP, CHC, $8,000 salary, 16.0 percent of cap: Arrieta has thrived under the tutelage of pitching coach Chris Boso, posting a .625 winning percentage, 2.69 ERA, 2.42 FIP, 1.02 WHIP and 9.6 K/9 over 36 starts with the Cubs. The Tigers are an imposing offense, though, so it is far from a risk-free start.
Tyson Ross, SP, SD, $6,800 salary, 13.6 percent of cap: You know what you're into with Ross on your roster. He has pitched at least five innings in each start with a 10.1 K/9 this season. His 3.07 FIP also suggests there are calmer seas ahead.
Trevor Bauer, SP, CLE, $6,400 salary, 12.8 percent of cap: Over his last five starts, Bauer has a strikeout per inning with a 1.75 ERA, and he has limited opposing hitters to a .180 batting average and .537 OPS. Bauer fanned 10 Mariners on May 29, and Seattle may be without slugger Nelson Cruz.
Edinson Volquez, SP, KC, $5,500 salary, 11.0 percent of cap: A speculative No. 2 starting pitcher option, Volquez has returned rather mediocre daily results despite respectable numbers overall: 3.26 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 3.48 FIP and 7.3 K/9. Minnesota's second-worst .657 OPS against right-handed hurlers is what tips the scales, though.
Jered Weaver, SP, LAA, $5,000 salary, 10.0 percent of cap: The veteran was beat around in his last start, and it ended his five-game streak of starts with at least 10-plus FantasyScore points. After you take a look up and down the Tampa Bay lineup, there aren't a lot of tough outs. Weaver's priced to reward and provide cap relief.
Bats to Target
Spending Up
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, CHC, $6,100 salary, 12.2 percent of cap: He is a game removed from a 12-game hitting streak with a 1.208 OPS. For the season, Rizzo has a .327/.446/.599 slash line, and faces struggling Shane Greene on Wednesday. Over his past nine starts, Greene has an 8.14 ERA and has allowed opponents to post a .958 OPS.
Kris Bryant, 3B, CHC, $5,600 salary, 11.2 percent of cap: A stack option to pair with Rizzo, Bryant stands alone as the top third base option in the late-only contests. His .392 on-base percentage provides a high floor, and his .377 wOBA represents the high ceiling.
Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD, $4,900 salary, 9.8 percent of cap: With a hit in each of his three games since returning from injury, Puig screams profit. Jeremy Hellickson has allowed at least one home run in six of his last seven starts, so look for Puig to tee up a meatball Wednesday.
Salvador Perez, C, KC, $4,800 salary, 9.6 percent of cap: While it is a small sample size, Perez has three solo home runs over his last four games, and opposing hurler Kyle Gibson sports a 4.57 FIP. Perez is a touch risky because of his unwillingness to take a free bag (2.0 BB percentage), but the upside is there while he is locked in at the dish.
Value
Albert Pujols, 1B LAA, $4,500 salary, 9.0 percent of cap: Over his last 17 games, Pujols has 15 runs, nine home runs, 15 RBI and a 1.150 OPS. There is nothing about the matchup to scare you away, either.
Robinson Cano, 2B, SEA, $3,900 salary, 7.8 percent of cap: With the price plummeted into profit territory, there is a much smaller risk in chasing Cano's upside. He had a pair of doubles Tuesday, and historically has been a better hitter post-May.
Xander Bogaerts, SS, BOS, $3,700 salary, 7.4 percent of cap: He has posted a .330 batting average (34-for-104) over his past 31 games, though the counting stats have yet to catch up to hot hitting. Facing a lefty, expect Bogaerts in the heart of the Boston lineup, which should help the in the run and RBI department.
Cap Relief
Melky Cabrera, OF, CHW, $3,600 salary, 7.2 percent of cap: Something has to give eventually for Cabrera, who now has three hits and three RBI over his past two games. Plus, opposing hurler Vincent Velasquez will be making his major league debut with just five Class-AA starts on his resume.
Gerardo Parra, OF, MIL, $3,500 salary, 7.0 percent of cap: Boasting a respectable .275 batting average against righties with 12 doubles, a triple and two home runs, Parra is an upside source of cap relief.
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, MIL, $3,200 salary, 6.4 percent of cap: Third base is shallow Wednesday due to the shortage of games and injuries. Ramirez hit a home run Tuesday, and he provides upside hitting in the heart of the order. It also won't take a much to return profit on his cap hit. An option if you're looking for savings at the hot corner.
Chris Coghlan, OF, CHC, $2,200 salary, 4.4 percent of cap: His respectable 31.5 percent and 59.1 percent Hard% and Med% contact stats tilt his .252 BABIP to the unlucky side. At his cap hit, it won't take much to provide a plus-return, either.
