This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Baseball bounces back from a quiet Monday to provide a packed Tuesday schedule, including 13 games that will make up the main evening slate on Yahoo. Let's try to take advantage by highlighting some of the better options to consider for your entry.
Pitching Overview
There are several aces set to take the Monday, but none might be as appealing as Gerrit Cole ($64). He's recorded at least 10 strikeouts in each of his last seven starts, leaving him with a 39.1 percent strikeout rate for the season. Look for him to keep things rolling in that department against the Mariners, who have struck out the third-most times in baseball. The last time Cole took the mound against them, he recorded a whopping 15 strikeouts over eight innings.
Madison Bumgarner ($43) was roughed up in his last start against the Red Sox, allowing five runs over five innings. It's important to note that that game was played at Fenway Park. Bumgarner has a 4.91 FIP and a 1.41 WHIP on the road, but he's been much better with a 3.91 FIP and a 0.92 WHIP at home. That's where he'll be for this outing against the Rockies, a team that has a miniscule 74 wRC+ on the road.
While adding Homer Bailey ($37) might not have been the sexiest of moves, it's proven to be a prudent one for the A's. He's been spectacular with the team making a push for the playoffs, posting a 1.88 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP over his last seven starts. He even has 45 strikeouts over 43 innings during that stretch. Now he'll face an Angels' lineup that is missing most of their top talent, leaving him as an excellent cost-effective option.
Key Values/Chalk
The Red Sox may have fallen out of the playoff chase, but their offense is still in a spot to shine against Ariel Jurado, who will follow opener Edinson Volquez. Jurado has been absolutely torched down the stretch, allowing 33 runs (27 earned) and seven home runs over his last 26.1 innings. The Red Sox might decide to give some of their stars added rest over the final week of the season, but players like Rafael Devers ($18), Mookie Betts ($27) and Xander Bogaerts ($20) all will carry tremendous upside if they take the field.
While this may come as a surprise to the casual observer, the A's have scored the seventh-most runs in baseball this season. They are primed for another strong showing against the Angels, who will send Dillon Peters to the hill. As if his 4.81 ERA wasn't bad enough, Peters has a 5.83 FIP and has allowed 14 home runs over just 63.2 innings. Right-handed hitters have a .387 wOBA against him, making Marcus Semien ($27), Matt Chapman ($14), Mark Canha ($22) and Ramon Laureno ($21) all viable targets.
The Astros could be in line for offensive outburst of their own with Justin Dunn set to open for the Mariners. Tommy Milone will likely follow him and pitch the bulk of the innings, which is encouraging since the Astros have several hitters who crush lefties. Two of them who immediately jump off the page are Jose Altuve ($21) and Alex Bregman ($26), who have a .438 wOBA and a .453 wOBA, respectively, against southpaws.
Stacks
Cubs vs. Mitch Keller (Pirates)
Nicholas Castellanos (OF - $22), Kyle Schwarber (OF - $23), Jason Heyward (OF - $13)
Keller actually pitched fairly well in his last outing, allowing two runs over five innings against the Mariners. However, he's not a very intimidating matchup when you consider that he has a 1.84 WHIP. The last time he faced the Cubs, they lit him up for six runs over 4.1 innings. Left-handed hitters have a .406 wOBA against him, leaving Schwarber and Heyward with plenty of appeal. Castellanos is also a great option despite not having a platoon advantage since he is 15-for-40 (.375) with two home runs and nine doubles over his last 10 games.
Mets vs. Sandy Alcantara (Marlins)
Pete Alonso (1B - $19), Jeff McNeil (3B - $19), Michael Conforto (OF - $13)
Like most of the pitchers on the Marlins, Alcantara has performed better at home than on the road. With his 5.23 FIP and 1.40 WHIP away from Marlins Park, he could be in line for a rough outing at Citi Field. McNeil has gone on a power surge of late, slugging five home runs and three doubles over his last 11 games. Alonso obviously also brings plenty of power to this stack with his .321 ISO.
Indians vs. Hector Santiago (White Sox)
Francisco Lindor (SS - $21), Oscar Mercado (OF - $19), Jordan Luplow (OF - $19)
With injuries piling up to their already thin starting rotation, the White Sox will turn to Santiago to make this start. That has the potential to be great news for the Indians given Santiago's staggering 1.81 WHIP. Lindor brings the highest upside out of these three while Luplow is also very appealing based on his 187 wRC+ against lefties.
