This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Wednesday is a busy day in baseball with 14 games scheduled. However, with a lot of early start times, only eight games make up the main slate on Yahoo. Let's dive into the matchups and discuss some of the better players to potentially target.
Pitchers
There aren't many high-end pitchers set to take the mound among these games, so Kenta Maeda ($46) is actually tied for the highest salary at the position. He's been a great addition to the Twins, allowing five runs in 17 innings in his first three starts. He's only allowed eight base runners, which is an area he excelled in last year with a 1.07 WHIP. Facing the Brewers might seem like a tough matchup, but they have scuffled out of the gate by averaging just four runs per game, so Maeda could thrive once again.
After being hit in the head by a line drive during summer training, Masahiro Tanaka ($35) is lucky he avoided a serious injury. He has been on a limited pitch count since returning, but he still managed to get through five scoreless innings on 59 pitches in his last start against the Rays. It would seem reasonable that he could throw at least 70-80 pitches, which could be all that he needs to have a productive night against a Braves team that is missing Ozzie Albies (wrist) and could be without Ronald Acuna Jr., who is day-to-day with a wrist injury.
Top Targets
With the Red Sox set to start Zack Godley ($25), this could be a great opportunity to deploy Austin Meadows ($17). Godley has a 1.50 WHIP through his first three outings this season and that comes on the heels of recording a 1.50 WHIP in 2019, as well. Meadows is starting to heat up after missing the beginning of the season, hitting 5-for-16 with three doubles across his last four games. He was excellent against right-handed pitchers last season, recording a 152 wRC+ against them.
As of Wednesday morning, the Mets had yet to officially name a starter for their matchup against the Nationals. Regardless of who takes the mound, it likely won't be anyone to fear given their lack of depth in their starting rotation. That could mean another big night is in the cards for Juan Soto ($24), who has already hit two home runs and three doubles despite playing in only six games this season.
Bargain Bats
Is Jean Segura ($10) finally starting to heat up? He's only batting .194, but he has hit a home run in back-to-back games. Considering that he hasn't hit below .280 since 2015, expect his batting average to climb sooner rather than later. He has the potential to provide a productive stat line against Wade LeBlanc ($25) after a .371 wOBA against left-handed pitchers last season.
One of the surprise hitters for the Rangers has been Isiah Kiner-Falefa ($12), who is 16-for-50 (.320) after having just a .299 OBP last season. He's still looking for his first long ball, but he does have two doubles and two triples with four steals. With his reasonable salary, he could be someone to consider against Taijuan Walker ($32), who has allowed at least four runs in two of his three starts.
Stacks to Consider
Yankees vs. Huascar Ynoa ($25) Braves: Aaron Judge ($23), DJ LeMahieu ($19), Mike Ford ($9)
The Braves' starting rotation has been hit hard by injuries. The team has no choice but to start Ynoa, who struggled at Triple-A last season with a 5.33 ERA that was supported by a 5.52 FIP. Judge is about as hot as it gets with nine home runs this season, and he has a career .332 ISO at Yankee Stadium. With the righty on the mound, Ford could be in the lineup once again after going 2-for-4 with two doubles Tuesday.
Twins vs. Eric Lauer ($25) Brewers: Nelson Cruz ($27), Byron Buxton ($17), Jorge Polanco ($13)
Lauer was crushed in his last outing against the Reds, allowing six runs in three innings. He's had difficulties keeping men off base, posting a WHIP of at least 1.40 in both of his seasons in the majors. Cruz brings tons of power to this stack and he had a 195 wRC+ against southpaws last season. Buxton has been productive when healthy and could also thrive in this matchup given his .384 wOBA against lefties last season.
Mariners vs. Jordan Lyles ($35) Rangers: Kyle Lewis ($19), Kyle Seager ($18), J.P. Crawford ($15)
The Mariners might not have the most imposing lineup, but a matchup against Lyles makes them a viable stack. Lyles has been average, at best, with a career 4.52 FIP and 1.44 WHIP. After impressing in his first taste of the majors last season, Lewis already has four home runs and eight multi-hit games this season. Seager has been a consistent power threat with at least 20 home runs in each of the last eight seasons and has carried that over into 2020, slugging three home runs and six doubles in 19 games.
