This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Wednesday's 12-game MLB slate begins at 12:05 PM Eastern time. Both suggested pitchers benefit from favorable matchups at home, and they're joined by a group of affordable bats that leave room to spend at other positions. For those interested, we've started an MLB DFS slack channel for paid RotoWire subscribers. (There is a season-long one as well). To join those channels, e-mail [email protected].
PITCHER
Sonny Gray, NYY vs. BAL ($35): Gray's early-season struggles are keeping his price down, but the righty's been much more reliable of late with just two earned runs allowed and 19 strikeouts in 16.1 innings over his last three starts. He's 3-0 over that span and has a great opportunity to get in the win column again given the disparity in record between the Yankees and Orioles. Baltimore's offense ranks 27th at 3.84 runs per game, and it's likely to get even worse moving forward after a sell-off at the trade deadline.
Anibal Sanchez, ATL vs. MIA ($43): Sanchez should have no trouble limiting a Miami offense that comes in 28th at 3.82 runs per game. The one-time Marlin also has a healthy strikeout rate of 23.4 percent, giving him nice upside in that category. In a slate lacking elite options, Sanchez's combination of matchup and ability make him as reliable a choice as anybody.
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CATCHER
Omar Narvaez, CHC vs. KC ($16): Narvaez is having a nice year against righties, producing a .364 wOBA over 142 at-bats. Left-handed hitters like Narvaez have a .355 wOBA against Royals righty Jakob Junis, so the catcher's set up for further success here.
FIRST BASE
Wilmer Flores, NYM at WAS ($14):Tommy Milone is filling in for the injured Stephen Strasburg (neck), creating a great opportunity for Mets hitters. Right-handed batters produced a .441 wOBA against Milone over 167 at-bats last season and hit him hard in his only appearance this year. With a .338 career wOBA against lefties and a spot in the heart of New York's order, Flores is primed to capitalize on this favorable matchup.
SECOND BASE
Niko Goodrum, DET vs. CIN ($14): Goodrum hasn't moved out of the top four slots in the lineup since July 5, as Detroit sees serious upside in the 26-year-old switch-hitter's bat. That upside should be on full display against Reds righty Sal Romano, who has been shelled for a .377 wOBA by hitters from the left side.
THIRD BASE
Miguel Andujar, NYY vs. BAL ($17): Andujar's been nearly identical against righties and lefties, producing a .346 wOBA against the former and a .349 mark against the latter. With Yankee Stadium's sixth-ranked, 1.14 park factor aiding him, Andujar should thrive against Baltimore right-hander Alex Cobb, who has allowed a .365 wOBA in righty-on-righty matchups. The Orioles also significantly depleted their bullpen at the trade deadline, which should lead to better opportunities for production after Cobb's out of the game.
SHORTSTOP
Jordy Mercer, PIT vs. CHC ($11): Mercer's only had 42 home at-bats against lefties this season, but he's made the most of those opportunities with a .384 wOBA. He has a great opportunity to keep rolling in such situations against recently acquired Cubs lefty Cole Hamels, who was in a tailspin prior to being traded by the Rangers. In his last five starts, Hamels has allowed 29 runs (25 earned) over 22 innings for a 10.23 ERA.
OUTFIELD
Brandon Guyer, CLE at MIN ($10): Guyer usually bats either second or fifth when the opposition puts a lefty on the mound, and he's earned that lineup placement with a .407 wOBA over 73 at-bats in that split. At his price, Guyer's a nice value play against Twins southpaw Adalberto Mejia, who has allowed a .351 wOBA to right-handed batters in his career and a .365 mark over a 45-hitter sample this season.
Kevin Kiermaier, TB vs. LAA ($15): Kiermaier has excelled at the top of Tampa Bay's lineup of late, producing 15 runs and 18 hits in his last 15 games. His season numbers still look ugly due to a slump after returning from a major thumb injury, but Kiermaier's career wOBA against righties is a respectable .330. Between his favorable lineup placement and recent form, the left-handed slugger's primed for a strong outing against Angels righty Nick Tropeano, who is giving up a .371 wOBA to batters from the left side.
Ben Zobrist, CHC at PIT ($13): The switch-hitting Zobrist has thrived from the left side this season, producing a .385 wOBA in 194 at-bats against right-handed pitching. Meanwhile, Pirates righty Nick Kingham has allowed a .377 wOBA to batters from the left side.
