This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
With the trade deadline now firmly in our rearview mirror, it's time for the stretch run in baseball. Things won't exactly start off with a bang Thursday since there are only 10 games on the schedule, six of which will make up the main evening slate on Yahoo. Let's dive into the teams that will take the field and discuss some of the better options to consider for your entry.
Pitching Overview
While the night might be short on games, it's not on big-name pitchers. The first of which is Gerrit Cole ($60), who has been one of the most dominant strikeout pitchers in the league with his 37.3 percent strikeout rate. After allowing two earned runs or fewer in 11 of his last 12 starts, it's hard not to get excited about him, even with his hefty price tag. The first time he faced the Indians this season, he allowed two runs and recorded 10 strikeouts across seven innings. They've improved their lineup since then, but this is still a matchup to exploit.
Another top-of-the-line starter who will be in action is Clayton Kershaw ($51) for his matchup against the Padres. Despite injury concerns coming into the season, he's been spectacular with his 2.85 ERA and 3.37 FIP. His WHIP checks in at a sparkling 1.02, which has been aided by his 4.8 percent walk rate. While not the type of strikeout pitcher that Cole is, Kershaw could have plenty of success in that department based on this matchup since the Padres have struck out the fourth-most times (1,036) in baseball.
Not much has gone right for the Orioles' pitching staff. John Means has been by far their best starter, but now even he finds himself on the IL with a shoulder injury. While his tenure with the team got off to a bit of a rocky start, Asher Wojciechowski ($37) has opened up some eyes by allowing two runs and recording 16 strikeouts across 14.1 innings in his last two starts. More importantly, that came against two tough lineups in the Red Sox and Angels. The Blue Jays do have some promising young hitters, but they've also struck out the ninth-most times (996), making Wojciechowski a more cost-effective option to consider.
Key Values/Chalk
Normally, the Orioles aren't a lineup worth pursuing. However, they are a much better team at home, recording a 93 wRC+ there compared to an 81 wRC+ on the road. They'll host the Blue Jays and Trent Thornton (elbow), who will be activated off the IL to make this start. He's largely struggled during his first season in the majors, recording a 4.70 FIP and a 1.54 WHIP. Not only are Jonathan Villar ($20) and Trey Mancini ($18) intriguing, but so is Anthony Santander ($18) with his .359 wOBA against right-handed pitching.
The Braves continue their march towards the NL East crown with their matchup against the Reds, who made a big splash at the deadline by bringing in Trevor Bauer. They'll send Anthony DeSclafani to the mound in this game, who has been average at best with his 4.42 FIP. He has some extreme splits with lefties recording a .385 wOBA against him compared to a .242 wOBA by righties. Freddie Freeman ($20) should be included in a lot of entries, as a result, while Ender Inciarte ($14) is a cheaper option with some upside. He's starting to heat up after a lengthy stint on the IL, recording at least two hit in four of his last five games.
If there was one team that didn't need to make any major additions to their lineup at the deadline, it was the Dodgers. They enter the night inside the top-five in the league in runs scored, home runs and OPS. Trying to slow them down with be Joey Lucchesi, who has been a valuable part of the Padres' rotation. However, this could still be a great spot to deploy A.J. Pollock ($15) considering his 174 wRC+ against southpaws.
Stacks
Astros vs. Danny Salazar (Indians)
Yordan Alvarez (OF - $21), George Springer (OF - $20), Yuli Gurriel (1B - $23)
Salazar (shoulder) is set to return from the IL for this game, which will be his first appearance in the majors since 2017. It's been a long road to recovery and it's unlikely that he will pitch deep into this contest. He certainly isn't easing back into things with this matchup. The Astros have a loaded lineup with plenty of viable options, but this trio is especially enticing based on their power upside.
Rays vs. Andrew Cashner (Red Sox)
Austin Meadows (OF - $17), Nate Lowe (1B - $16), Travis d'Arnaud (C - $21)
The Rays have capitalized on the Red Sox pitching staff in this series, scoring 14 runs over the first two games. They'll have an excellent opportunity to keep things rolling against Cashner, who has allowed 13 runs (12 earned) across 17.2 innings in his first three starts with the Red Sox. The Rays have to be ecstatic with d'Arnaud, who has posted a .897 OPS since joining the team. Meadows has also looked much better of late, hitting 22-for-74 (.297) with four home runs, four doubles and three triples over his last 20 games
Reds vs. Max Fried (Braves)
Eugenio Suarez (3B - $21), Nick Senzel (OF - $16), Phillip Ervin (OF - $13)
Not only did the Reds bring in Bauer, but they also dealt away Yasiel Puig and Scooter Gennett. With two key hitters leaving their lineup, Ervin should work his way into a regular role, at least against left-handed pitchers since he has a career 159 wRC+ against them. Although Fried came out of the gate strong, he's allowed a 1.64 WHIP across his last 14 outings. Right-handed hitters also have a .346 wOBA against him for the season, overall.
