This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
We have plenty of action on the docket across baseball Friday, leaving us with a bevy of options on Yahoo. Let's try to make the task of finalizing your lineup a bit easier by highlighting some teams and players with particularly favorable matchups.
Pitching Overview
The signs were there last season that Shane Bieber ($52) was going to have a more productive campaign in 2019. Most notably, his 3.23 FIP was much better than his 4.55 ERA. His FIP has remained nearly the same this season, but his ERA has dropped all the way down to 3.23. Another area that he has improved in his ability to miss bats, generating a 30.8 percent strikeout rate. In a battle against a Rays team that the Indians are battling for a playoff spot, look for Bieber to provide another valuable stat line.
The Giants decided to hold onto Madison Bumgarner ($48) at the trade deadline in order to make a push for the playoffs. Their hopes don't look great at the moment, but they'll try to improve their position in the standings with a home matchup against the Padres. Pitching at home is key for Bumgarner considering he has a 3.03 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP there compared to a 4.62 FIP and a 1.32 WHIP on the road. With Fernando Tatis Jr. (back) out for the season, the Padres' lineup isn't nearly as intimating anymore.
Staying in that same game, Dinelson Lamet ($37) is also appealing. He faltered in his last start against the Red Sox, allowing four runs over five innings. However, he had allowed three runs or fewer in each of his previous six starts. He also has shown plenty of swing-and-miss stuff with his 30.2 percent strikeout rate. The Giants have a bad lineup, in general, but have really struggled with just a 74 wRC+ at home.
Key Values/Chalk
The Rockies continue their series at home against the Pirates, so expect to see their players included in a lot of lineups. Opposing them will be Dario Agrazal, who has a 6.19 FIP and has allowed 1.8 HR/9. This is not only a prime opportunity to deploy Charlie Blackmon ($21), but it could also be a spot to take a chance on Sam Hilliard ($15), who recorded a .296 ISO at Triple-A this season.
Even though they haven't been one of the most prolific offensive teams, the Pirates should also be popular with this game being played at Coors Field. They have a great matchup versus Antonio Senzatela, who has a 4.98 FIP and a 1.49 WHIP at home for his career. The focus of any Pirates stack should be Bryan Reynolds ($26), who has a 154 wRC+ against righties.
Moving away from the Coors Field game brings us to the Nationals against Elieser Hernandez of the Marlins. This game being played at Nationals Park is key considering Hernandez has a 7.92 FIP on the road and the Nationals have a 111 wRC+ at home. Anthony Rendon ($26) and Juan Soto ($27) figure to be the most popular Nationals across DFS, and rightfully so.
Stacks
Red Sox vs. Jose Suarez (Angels)
J.D. Martinez (OF - $27), Xander Bogaerts (SS - $23), Christian Vazquez (C - $15)
The Angels are basically just trying to cobble together a pitching staff to get them through the rest of the season. That's the main reason why Suarez continues to take the mound despite his 6.31 FIP. Martinez is always in play with a lefty on the mound since he has a 234 wRC+ against southpaws this season. Vazquez has also fared well with a .370 wOBA versus lefties.
Angels vs. Nathan Eovaldi (Red Sox)
Mike Trout (OF - $25), Shohei Ohtani (OF - $18), David Fletcher (3B - $11)
Eovaldi has moved into the starting rotation for the Red Sox, but he hasn't logged more than three innings in either of his last two outings. He allowed seven runs across five total innings, leaving the Angels as an appealing team to pursue. Trout has been dealing with a sore right foot, but he previously stated he expects to return to the lineup for this matchup. Ohtani has had a productive finish to the month of August, hitting 24-for-71 (.353) with a home run, five doubles and two triples over his last 17 games.
Athletics vs. CC Sabathia (Yankees)
Marcus Semien (SS - $24), Mark Canha (OF - $23), Sheldon Neuse (3B - $12)
Sabathia has not pitched well since being activated off the IL, giving up six runs over seven innings in two starts. The veteran lefty has had major problems keeping hitters inside the ballpark, allowing 2.4 HR/9. Semien and Canha provide significant upside while Neuse is an intriguing cheaper option to consider. He was having a great season at Triple-A before recently being recalled, producing a .233 ISO and a .393 wOBA.
