This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
With a lot of early start times Thursday, the main slate on Yahoo will begin at 6:05 p.m. EDT. We have eight games to choose from, so let's discuss some of the better options to consider based on their respective matchups.
Pitchers
Aaron Civale ($42) has been one of the rocks of the Indians' starting rotation this season. He's allowed three runs or fewer in six of his eight starts and he has an excellent 1.13 WHIP. Although he doesn't miss a ton of bats, one of the reasons for his success is his impeccable control, which has resulted in a 4.3 percent walk rate. Look for him to exploit this matchup against the Royals, who have averaged only 3.9 runs a game and are missing two of their better hitters in Jorge Soler (oblique) and Salvador Perez (eye).
It's been a disappointing season for Chris Paddack ($33), who enters his start against the Giants with a 4.75 ERA and a 4.59 FIP. Part of the season for his struggles is his hard-hit rate jumping from 32.5 percent last year to 46 percent this season. Still, he has allowed three runs or fewer in six of his nine starts, which included his first matchup with the Giants in which he allowed two runs and recorded six strikeouts across five innings. He has top-tier talent, so if he can have one of his better performances here, he could provide significant value at this salary.
Top Targets
Fernando Tatis Jr. ($27) is starting to gain control of the strike zone. After posting a 29.6 percent strikeout rate and an 8.1 percent walk rate last season, he has a 23.2 percent strikeout rate and a 11.3 percent walk rate this year. That's helped him generate a robust .431 wOBA. He could be trouble for Trevor Cahill ($28), who has a 4.47 FIP that indicates he hasn't pitched nearly as well as his 2.65 ERA would lead you to believe.
The Yankees unexpectedly find themselves fighting for a playoff spot in a year in which the playoff field was actually expanded. Injuries have played a big part in their struggles, which included a stay on the IL for DJ LeMahieu ($19). The good news is that he is healthy now and he is on pace to set a new career high with his .928 OPS. He has a career .364 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, leaving him with another opportunity for a productive night with Keegan Akin ($35) starting for the Orioles.
Bargain Bats
The Red Sox's pitching staff is a mess, so the Rays have a chance to put up some gaudy offensive numbers in this series. They will start things off against left-handed pitcher Mike Kickham ($25), who has bounced around the minor leagues since he was drafted in 2010. This could be a favorable spot to deploy Mike Brosseau ($12), who has a career 150 wRC+ versus southpaws.
After struggling to find playing time early in the season, Miguel Andujar ($7) is once again a regular for the Yankees because of injuries. He's made the most of his opportunity, hitting 7-for-23 (.304) with a home run, a double and a triple across the last six games. He was an extra base machine during his rookie campaign in 2018 and may just have needed a regular role to get himself back on track this year.
Stacks to Consider
Braves vs. Austin Voth ($25), Nationals: Ronald Acuna Jr. ($27), Adam Duvall ($18), Ozzie Albies ($16)
The Braves' lineup is finally back at full strength. They steamrolled the Marlins on Wednesday, scoring 29 runs in their win. Now they will face Voth, who has an 8.26 ERA that is supported by a 7.63 FIP. Duvall is scorching hot right at the moment, hitting 12-for-29 (.414) with eight home runs and three doubles across his last eight games. Acuna has also shown plenty of power lately, slugging five home runs over the last seven games.
Dodgers vs. Madison Bumgarner ($29), Diamondbacks: Mookie Betts ($27), A.J. Pollock ($18), Chris Taylor ($18)
It's been a rough start to Bumgarner's career with the Diamondbacks. Through five starts, he has a 9.08 FIP and has allowed 3.8 HR/9. His WHIP sits at 1.50 and his strikeout rate is a mere 15 percent. That could all spell doom for him against the Dodgers, who have one of the most potent lineups in baseball. Taylor might not be one of the bigger names in the lineup, but he's 11-for-33 (.333) with a home run and three doubles across his last nine games and could be worth a look here with Bumgarner allowing a .451 wOBA to right-handed batters this year.
Nationals vs. Robbie Erlin ($25), Braves: Juan Soto ($27), Trea Turner ($27), Victor Robles ($11)
Injuries have completely decimated the Braves' starting rotation. They'll have no choice but to continue to start Erlin, who has a 5.98 FIP and a 1.36 WHIP this season. He's allowed an alarming 2.5 HR/9, which could be his downfall against Soto. Turner has been no slouch in the power department, either, posting a .264 ISO while hitting nine home runs.
