This article is part of our FantasyScore MLB series.
Only the 10 night games scheduled are included in FantasyScore's featured contests Wednesday. The Mastersball 50/50 GPP and the BaseballHQ GPP both lock at 7:05 p.m. ET.
If you're after a few more details and FantasyScore specifics, they can be found here.
Lineup Configuration Notes
It is a weak pitching field Wednesday, so taking a calculated risk with your No. 2 arm will open up plenty of cap space to spend up on bats. Given the number of favorable pitching match ups to cherry-pick from, you can lock in three to four high-priced hitters and still slide under the cap.
Arms to Target
Above the field
Gerrit Cole, SP, PIT, $9,200 salary, 18.4 percent of cap: There is nothing to suggest Cole will slip up Wednesday, but it might not be out of the question to fade him. Eventually, Cole has to have an off game, right? Cincinnati has a manageable offense, at least on paper. The Reds are playing well and have won four of their last six with an average of 4.83 runs per outing. Cole carries a touch more risk than he typically does Wednesday.
The next tier
Jordan Zimmermann, SP, WAS, $8,000 salary, 16.0 percent of cap: Zimmermann has been beaten around to the tune of a 7.63 ERA and .976 OPS against over his past three starts. However, the Atlanta offense has also hit the skids over the five games since Freddie Freeman (wrist) went down, as the Braves have scored just 2.4 runs per game. Look for a bounce-back showing from Zimmermann.
Jaime Garcia, SP, STL, $7,100 salary, 14.2 percent of cap: The lefty has rattled off five consecutive double-digit fantasy point showings and has a measly 1.76 ERA for the season. Miami has feasted off southpaws this season, though, and their .787 OPS against left-handed hurlers is the second best in baseball. View Garcia as a high-risk, medium-reward option, as he doesn't rack up strikeouts to boost his point total.
Mid-priced arms with upside
Ian Kennedy, SP, SD, $5,500 salary, 11.0 percent of cap: June has been much kinder to Kennedy, as he boasts a solid 2.63 ERA through 24 innings over four starts this month. And he has a respectable 22 punch outs during the run. San Francisco has posted two runs or fewer in six of their last 10 games, too.
Michael Bolsinger, SP, LAD, $5,200 salary, 10.4 percent of cap: The Dodgers need the win to avoid a sweep at Wrigley Field, so look for Bolsinger to have a solid shot at the four-point kickback for a win. The Cubs also strike out more than any team in baseball against right-handed pitchers. It isn't a risk-free start, though, as Bolsinger has a 4.82 ERA over his past five outings.
Desperation flier
Ryan Vogelsong, SP, SF, $4,600 salary, 9.2 Percent of cap: The veteran has been widely inconsistent this season, but ended a rough patch with a 16.66-point showing in his last start. San Diego has a righty-heavy lineup that has struck out the second most times in baseball and has a pedestrian .668 OPS against righties. Vogelsong has also been much stingier against right-handed hitters (.639 OPS) and at home (3.13 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, .218/.307/.328 slash line against).
Potential Stacks
Arizona and Colorado
There have been 12.17 runs per game over the past six at Coors Field. With an even smaller player pool to select from Wednesday, you'll want exposure to a few bats from each team. Thankfully, there are lots of value plays. The two starting hurlers don't exactly resemble the shut-down model, either.
Baltimore and Boston
There were 10 runs in their meeting Tuesday, the Orioles have averaged nine runs per game over their last six, and the Red Sox have averaged 7.33 runs per game over their last six. Also, Clay Buchholz and Bud Norris can't be confused for Cy Young candidates.
Oakland and Texas
This has the second highest over/under total as of writing. And while there is certainly potential for a slugfest given the hitter-friendly ball park and end-of-the-rotation starters, Texas has averaged just 3.33 runs per game over their last six. Oakland might be the better stack.
Bats to Target
Spending Up
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, ARI, $6,200 salary, 12.4 percent of cap: Arguably the best hitter in baseball at Coors Field is a near lock, especially against David Hale (.372 wOBA, .869 OPS against at home). Plus, Goldschmidt has a 1.201 OPS over his past 12 games.
Giancarlo Stanton, OF, MIA, $6,200 salary, 12.4 percent of cap: Pacing the league in home runs and RBI, Stanton is worth a look against the majority of starters in the league, but especially lefties (eight home runs through 61 plate appearances against them this season). He has 19 runs, 13 home runs, 24 RBI and a 1.235 OPS over his last 23 games.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL, $5,000 salary, 10.0 percent of cap: Scorching hot, at home and in a plus-matchup, Tulowitzki is a lineup lock at his contest-average cap hit. He has a .400/.442/.625 slash line with 15 runs, five home runs and 20 RBI over his past 20 games.
Value
Adrian Beltre, 3B, TEX, $4,800 salary, 9.6 percent of cap: Just a game removed from returning from the disabled list, Beltre went good for 3.0 fantasy points Tuesday. He has a manageable cap hit in a non-daunting matchup, which warrants consideration.
Rougned Odor, 2B, TEX, $4,000 salary, 8.0 percent of cap: Since his recall, Odor is 9-for-19 with seven RBI and a 1.208 OPS. It is obviously a small sample size, but a lot was expected from the youngster. He is worth a long look if the cap hit fits the rest of your plans.
Jimmy Paredes, 2B, BAL, $3,900 salary, 7.8 percent of cap: After a disastrous slump, Paredes is heating back up at the dish. Over his last 10 games (eight starts), he has seven runs, two home runs, nine RBI, a .350 batting average and .500 slugging percentage. He also has a .320/.346/.520 slash line against right-handed pitchers for the year.
Billy Burns, OF, OAK, $3,800 salary, 7.6 percent of cap: Over his last 29 games, Burns has failed to reach base just once. During the run, he has a .336/.377/.453 slash line with 21 runs, two home runs, 15 RBI and 10 stolen bases. Keep utilizing the speedster until the cap hit catches up.
Yadier Molina, C, STL, $3,700 salary, 7.4 percent of cap: Riding a seven-game hit streak with four multi-hit showings during the span, Molina is an excellent speculative play against the inconsistent Mat Latos. Molina is sporting an impressive .339/.382/.484 slash line in June, too.
Cap Relief
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, BOS, $3,300 salary, 6.6 percent of cap: Over his past 14 games, Sandoval has nine multi-hit showings and a 1.060 OPS. At his cap hit and against Bud Norris, there is a lot to like about him as a budget play Wednesday.
Welington Castillo, C, ARI, $2,000 salary, 4.0 percent of cap: Those looking to punt the catcher position as a means of cap relief have a bargain on their hands in Castillo. He has averaged 4.3 fantasy points over his past seven games and is playing at Coors Field.
Xavier Scruggs, 1B, STL, $1,600 salary, 3.2 percent of cap:Make sure he is starting, and then view Scruggs as an upside source of cap relief. He went 3-for-4 on Tuesday, and 2-for-5 in his first start of the season Saturday. Just note, first base isn't typically a strong place to hunt for savings.
