This article is part of our FantasyAces MLB series.
Be sure to checkout tonight's FAWBC Qualifier, as the winner gets an entry to the $250K Fantasy Aces World Baseball Championship live in Anaheim, California at Angel Stadium on Aug. 15. Only 20 will win a trip to the final and the winner takes home a cool $100K.
Fantasy Aces also features a unique SalaryPro format were you're rewarded with additional fantasy points for staying below the salary cap, and if you choose to go over the cap you're penalized points.
There is a Freeroll and many other GPP contests to enter Wednesday. These picks and analysis cover the 10 evening games from the schedule and all late contests lock at 7:05 PM ET.
Make sure to double-check Fantasy Aces' unique scoring settings.
Pitchers
Jordan Zimmermann ($6,750, 12.3 percent of cap): The Braves have scored 12 runs over the five games since Freddie Freeman (wrist) was injured. Zimmermann's numbers are down from last season, though that was a near given. They're also down from his 2011-to-2013 run, though, and he has a 7.63 ERA while allowing a .976 OPS to opposing hitters over his last three games. Still, the slump-buster matchup is enticing, and Zimmermann doesn't demand top dollar.
Jaime Garcia ($5,750, 10.5 percent of cap): Over $2,000 dollars cheaper than the top option, Garcia enters Wednesday with 1.76 ERA, 2.89 FIP and 0.90 WHIP, and he has allowed just three runs over his past 28 innings while holding opposing hitters to a .388 OPS. Note, though, Miami has the second best OPS (.787) in the league against southpaws, so there is risk in that regard. Still, St. Louis is receiving the chalk, and Miami's team run total is 3.5. Opposing hurler Mat Latos has been extremely inconsistent, too.
Michael Bolsinger ($5,600, 10.2 percent of cap): Another budget play, Bolsinger has been a pleasant surprise for the Dodgers, who will be looking to avoid a sweep at Wrigley Field. Bolsinger's numbers check out with a 2.87 ERA, 3.18 FIP, 1.20 WHIP and 8.3 K/9. However, he has only finished the sixth inning in one of his last four starts. The Cubs' 547 strikeouts against right-handed pitchers leads the majors by 67, so there is added value there.
Either of the two mid-priced pitchers project favorably alongside Gerrit Cole ($7,850, 14.3% of cap), however, at some point there has to be a bump in the road for the Bucs' ace, right? All of Cole's numbers check out -- 1.78 ERA, 2.58 FIP, 1.06 WHIP and 9.6 K/9 -- and there is no reason to suggest there will be a hiccup Wednesday, at least beyond the belief that he is due at some point. Additionally, Cole's value might be lower in GPP contests, as he'll likely carry a hefty ownership percentage, and he is the most expensive option in the player pool.
Other pitchers to consider (in order of preference):Clay Buchholz ($5,750, 10.5 percent of cap), Ryan Vogelsong ($5,500, 10.0 percent of cap)
Catchers
Nick Hundley ($4,800, 8.7 percent of cap): Coors Field has been kind to Hundley, and his .330/.352/.534 slash line backs it up. He is priced below the top tier, lands in a favorable matchup and is riding an 8-for-19 stretch with four runs, three doubles and four RBI over his past five games.
Welington Castillo ($4,200, 7.6 percent of cap): The backstop is on a 9-for-25 streak with five runs, two home runs and five RBI over his past seven games. Plus, there is the Coors Field factor. Just note there is always the chance Jarrod Saltalamacchia starts.
Other catchers to consider (in order of preference):Salvador Perez ($4,650, 8.5 percent of cap), Yasmani Grandal ($5,150, 9.4 percent of cap), Francisco Cervelli ($4,350, 7.9 percent of cap), Blake Swihart ($3,550, 6.5 percent of cap)
1B/3B
Paul Goldschmidt ($6,000, 10.9 percent of cap): At Coors and against a weak opposing hurler, Goldschmidt can exceed value even at his hefty cap hit. After all, he isn't substantially more expensive than his top-tier peers. He'll face David Hale, who has allowed six home runs through 24.2 innings at home this season, and Goldschmidt has an active 19-for-44 run with a 1.201 OPS over his past 12 games.
Adrian Beltre ($5,000, 9.1 percent of cap): Just a game removed from a stint on the disabled list because of a sprained left thumb, Beltre shook off the rust with a single, a run scored and an RBI Tuesday. He was just heating up before the injury, and hitting at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington helps, too.
Brett Lawrie ($4,350, 7.9 percent of cap): His 0-for-4 showing Tuesday halted a solid nine-game run when he drove in seven and posted a 1.109 OPS. He has the handedness advantage against Wandy Rodriguez, and Lawrie has a .500 slugging percentage against southpaws this season.
Xavier Scruggs ($3,000, 5.5 percent of cap): Sound the cap-relief alarm, as Scruggs is an excellent flier if he starts. The 27-year-old slugger scored 35 runs, hit 11 home runs and drove in 35 over 248 plate appearances at Triple-A Memphis, and he went 3-for-4 Tuesday. Expect him to potentially fly under the radar, too.
Other 1B/3B to consider (in order of preference):Manny Machado ($5,500, 10.0 percent of cap), Matt Carpenter ($5,000, 9.1 percent of cap), Anthony Rizzo ($5,850, 10.6 percent of cap), Yasmany Tomas ($4,850, 8.8 percent of cap)
2B/SS
Ben Zobrist ($5,050, 9.2 percent of cap): Over his last nine games, Zobrist has 15 runs, three home runs, 10 RBI and a 1.417 OPS. Throughout his career, he has gone on torrid stretches which have comprised significant chunks of his year-long counting stat totals. This is one of those stretches. Historically, he has been a better hitter against southpaws, too.
Kolten Wong ($4,850, 8.8 percent of cap): Wong's price is reflective of his recent struggles at the dish (.148/.217/.333 slash line over his last 14 games), but he lands in a plus-matchup against Mat Latos. A speculative flier that he breaks out could reward.
Xander Bogaerts ($4,550, 8.3 percent of cap): One of the safer middle infielders available, Bogaerts has a .314 batting average since May 11. His counting stats leave a lot to be desired, though. Still, at his cap hit, there is a lot to like, especially facing blow-up-candidate Bud Norris.
Other 2B/SS to consider (in order of preference):Rougned Odor ($3,850, 7.0 percent of cap), Troy Tulowitzki ($5,900, 10.7 percent of cap), Matt Duffy ($4,350, 7.9 percent of cap)
Outfield:
Nelson Cruz ($5,500, 10.0 percent of cap): Although ice cold over his past 11 games (.194/.326/.278 slash line), Cruz should receive at least two chances to leave the yard against southpaw Danny Duffy. Cruz has seven homers through 55 plate appearances with a 1.505 OPS against lefties this season.
Jason Heyward ($4,850, 8.8 percent of cap): Things are turning around for the 25-year-old outfielder. Over his past 13 games, Heyward has a .404/.429/.681 slash line with six runs, three home runs, seven RBI and two stolen bases. His price is creeping up, but he still boasts huge upside batting in the heart of the order against Mat Latos.
Gerardo Parra ($4,250, 7.7 percent of cap): Parra has thrived with his return to an everyday role with a solid .342/.370/.487 slash line over his past 19 games, and he tips the scales in all four counting stats: 11 runs, two home runs, five RBI and four stolen bases. He is a nice source of cap relief with the handedness advantage.
Other outfielders to consider (in order of preference):David Peralta ($4,700, 8.5 percent of cap), Leonys Martin ($4,450, 8.1 percent of cap), Billy Burns ($4,600, 8.4 percent of cap), Hanley Ramirez ($5,000, 9.1 percent of cap), Andre Ethier ($4,850, 8.8 percent of cap)
