We have a typical split schedule Wednesday, with the first games on the MLB schedule kicking off at 2:35 pm ET. That slate includes four games, with the main slate beginning at 7:05 pm ET with seven matchups included. We'll preview the latter in this article.
Pitchers
There are two clear pitchers to start with at the top of the pitcher pool in Chris Sale ($10,000) and Logan Gilbert ($9,700). Gilbert has the better skills, but Sale hasn't skipped a beat in two starts since returning from the injured list. The matchup points to Gilbert against the Cardinals, but Sale has the better recent track record.
Nick Pivetta ($9,000) has a safe floor but can't always access top-end performances, but a matchup against the Reds should help. Cincinnati has only a .315 wOBA with a 23.6 percent strikeout rate across the last 30 days.
Jack Flaherty ($7,500) is admittedly a tough choice because he's struggled considerably lately, but his skills are among the best of the day. His strikeout rate (27.4 K percent) is the third-highest of the pool and his K-BB percentage (18.8) is the fourth-best. A matchup against the Yankees isn't ideal, but the price is right to take a flyer.
It's not a great day for cheap pitching. Jose Berrios ($7,200) draws a good matchup against the Astros, who have only a .296 wOBA with a 23.1 percent strikeout rate in the last month.
Top Hitters
Jameson Taillon has allowed 1.95 HR/9 this season, and the long balls have come in bunches. He's allowed multiple home runs in five of his 19 starts this season, while also giving up 2.53 HR/9 on the road. This sets up well for some of Atlanta's power hitters, with Matt Olson ($4,500) also having the benefit of checking in at a reasonable price.
Jason Alexander has predictably started to come back to earth, allowing two home runs in each of his last two starts and at least one long ball in four straight outings. George Springer ($5,400) and Vladimir Guerrero ($5,100) have both hit for power lately, which should continue Wednesday.
Value Bats
The Rays are looking to be lined up for a bullpen game Wednesday, with Griffin Jax kicking things off. Ian Seymour could follow, but watch for an announcement regarding the team's specific plans. For now, the White Sox are an intriguing and cheap option to consider, with Mike Tauchman ($3,700) and Curtis Mead ($2,800) both value plays.
Carlos Rodon has been shaky in the last month (13.1 BB percentage) and has benefited primarily from batted ball luck. The Tigers have a good enough lineup to make him pay if that continues, and both Jahmai Jones ($3,500) and Wenceel Perez ($4,000) should both occupy key spots in the order while checking in at a reasonable price.
Stacks to Consider
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox (Sean Burke): Yandy Diaz ($4,900), Junior Caminero ($5,600), Brandon Lowe ($5,100)
Sean Burke has pitched inefficiently and allowed a lot of baserunners since the All-Star break, posting a 1.65 WHIP and 1.31 HR/9 across his last five appearances. The Rays have been roughly a league-average lineup for the past month, but both Caminero and Lowe have carried the team's offensive production. Josh Lowe ($4,200) is another good name to consider.
Seattle Mariners vs. St. Louis Cardinals (Michael McGreevy): Randy Arozarena ($5,000), Cal Raleigh ($6,200), Julio Rodriguez ($5,200)
Michael McGreevy looked to be a potentially effective starter by limiting hard contact and working efficiently, but his results have suffered in his last several appearances. McGreevy has allowed at least four runs in seven of his 13 starts. Seattle has had an above-average lineup in the last 30 days and has a .349 wOBA in the last 14 days.
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