This article is part of our FantasyScore MLB series.
There are 15 games on the schedule Wednesday. Make sure to take part in the BaseballHQ Freeroll GPP contest. If you're after a few more details and FantasyScore specifics, they can be found here.
The Freeroll doesn't include the four early games Wednesday, so player analysis and recommendations will focus on the evening games.
Lineup Configuration Notes
While going cheap with a few arms is a path to a contrarian lineup, it isn't a necessity to fit under the cap. There are a number of solid starters taking the hill, which somewhat limits your hitting options. Plus, spending up isn't always spending more wisely, and starting pitchers have the highest upside based on FantasyScore's scoring settings.
There are a few high-powered lineups with favorable opposing pitcher matchups. R.A. Dickey has progressively pitched worse in each start of the season, and the Blue Jays' bullpen isn't exactly lights out, either. Additionally, Ryan Vogelsong could have a long night attempting to limit the Dodgers' lineup. Exposure to the heart of those two lineups with a sprinkle of value mixed in is advised.
ARMS TO TARGET
Alone on the throne
Felix Hernandez, SEA, $9,300 salary, 18.6 percent of cap - Over his last two starts, King Felix has fanned 21 batters in 16 innings, and he posted a shutout in his last outing. Facing the Rangers is a matchup worth cherry picking, too. Expect Hernandez's ownership percentage to be high, though.
Next in line
Zack Greinke, LAD, $8,500 salary, 17.0 percent of cap - The only knock on Greinke has been his lack of strikeouts, and that he hasn't pitched overly deep in to games. Nit picking, I know. While it isn't a slam-dunk matchup, especially against a division rival, Greinke is in play, and could end up as a contrarian high-end arm.
Gerrit Cole, PIT, $8,100 salary, 16.2 percent of cap - Cole has won three consecutive games, and the run was kick-started with a dominant showing against the Tigers. Cole's potentially low ownership could make him an alternative if you're looking to fade Hernandez or Greinke. Plus, the Cubs are strikeout prone and could be due for a loss.
Upside
Carlos Martinez, STL, $5,000 salary, 10.0 percent of cap - Martinez has improved with each start this season and has a 1.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 9.5 K/9. The Phillies are always worth picking on, too, as they scored just 19 runs in their last seven games.
Danny Salazar, CLE, $5,300 salary, 11.6 percent of cap - How many starts without a blow up will it take for Salazar to earn your trust? High-risk, high-reward arms make for excellent GPP plays, and Salazar won't break the bank.
BATS TO TARGET
Spending Up
Nelson Cruz, OF, SEA, $5,300 salary, 10.6 percent of cap - With a soft-tossing southpaw on the hill, expect Cruz to continue he strong start to the season. He is 6-for-18 with four round trippers against left-handed pitchers this season, after all.
David Ortiz, 1B, BOS, $5,300 salary, 10.6 percent of cap - The veteran is a bit risky, but opposing starter R.A. Dickey and the Toronto bullpen have struggled lately. And while batter vs. pitcher statistics aren't always an indicator of future success, especially in small samples, Ortiz has a pair of jacks in 18 at-bats against Dickey.
Value
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, BOS, $4,200 salary, 8.4 percent of cap - Sandoval is mashing at the dish lately with seven hits, six runs, two home runs and six RBI over his past three games. It all adds up to an average of 9.66 FantasyScore points per game. He is beginning to fit into the potent Boston lineup nicely.
Starlin Castro, SS, CHC, $4,000 salary, 8.0 percent of cap - Castro has registered a hit in 14 of 17 games this season, and his RBI potential is much higher batting a little lower in the order. Just remember the matchup against Cole might not be ideal.
Cap Relief
Joc Pederson, OF, LAD, $3,800 salary, 7.6 percent of cap - While Pederson's counting stats don't jump off the page at first glance, his 16 walks match his 16 hits for an impressive .458 on-base percentage. Perhaps most impressive, is Pederson has hit eighth for the majority of the season. Ryan Vogelsong presents a plus-matchup, too.
A.J. Pollock, OF, ARI, $3,900 salary, 7.8 percent of cap - Locked in at the dish, Pollock is riding an 11-game hitting streak -- outside a failed pinch-hit attempt -- with nine runs, four RBI and four stolen bases. There is power potential, too.
Daniel Murphy, 2B, NYM, $2,900 salary, 5.8 percent of cap - Murphy is catching fire after a slow start, which was likely due to his preseason hamstring injury. Over his past three games, he is 6-for-11 with three doubles, a home run and five RBI, and his solid 6-for-17 line against Mat Latos stands to receive a boost.
Yasmani Grandal, C, LAD, $2,900 salary, 5.8 percent of cap - It hasn't been a dazzling start with the Dodgers, but Grandal lands in a favorable matchup and will have the handedness advantage. Plus, Vogelsong has a 4.79 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP in the last three seasons.
