This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Wednesday's 14-game MLB slate begins at 12:10 PM Eastern time. The most expensive pitcher in this slate is worth paying up for, and there's also a much cheaper option available that's primed to thrive despite a tough matchup. 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
Carlos Carrasco, CLE vs. CWS ($54): Carrasco's made a mockery of the White Sox in two previous meetings this season, going 2-0 with a 20:1 K:BB over 14 innings. The electric righty knows how to rack up the whiffs with a 28.8 percent strikeout rate for the season, and he's been sharp in the second half with a 2.45 ERA after posting a 4.12 first-half mark. A Chicago offense that's averaging only 4.12 runs per game is unlikely to be any more successful against Carrasco this time around.
Felix Pena, LAA at OAK ($34): The Athletics represent a tough matchup, but Pena's recent form coupled with Oakland Coliseum's 28th-ranked, 0.82 park factor have the righty in position to provide sneaky good value at $34. The converted bullpen arm has been lights out over his past six starts, posting a 2.37 ERA and 36:9 K:BB over 38 innings. That stretch includes four road games and two meetings with the high-powered Houston offense, so he's more than ready to deliver against this fellow AL West rival.
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CATCHER
Yadier Molina, STL at ATL ($12): Molina's been a completely different hitter on the road this season, posting a .392 road wOBA and just a .259 home mark. That away success includes a .398 wOBA against righties. Look for the 36-year-old catcher's experience to put him in position to succeed against rookie Braves righty Touki Toussaint, who has a 4.67 ERA through 17.1 major-league innings.
FIRST BASE
Max Muncy, LAD vs. COL ($13): Most left-handed batters struggle to hit left-handed pitching, but that hasn't been the case for Muncy, who owns a .392 wOBA over 94 at-bats in that split. On the mound for Colorado will be Tyler Anderson, who's one of the rare southpaws that encounters more difficulties in lefty-on-lefty matchups than against righties. While batters from the right side have a .320 wOBA against Anderson, left-handed hitters have a .363 mark, which actually climbs to .391 on the road.
SECOND BASE
Gleyber Torres, NYY vs. BOS ($17): There might not be a pitcher the Yankees would rather face than David Price, who has an 0-5 record and 10.44 ERA in five starts at Yankee Stadium since joining the Red Sox. Torres has already taken Price deep this season, and the rookie has pummeled left-handed pitching all season to the tune of a .391 wOBA in 106 at-bats.
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez, CIN at MIL ($17): Suarez is another guy that's dominated lefties, having produced a .440 wOBA in 140 at-bats against them. He should keep rolling against Brewers southpaw Gio Gonzalez, who's allowed a .342 wOBA to batters from the right side this year.
SHORTSTOP
Andrelton Simmons, LAA at OAK ($12): Simmons has a .339 wOBA against lefties this season, but that number climbs to a much more impressive .418 in 80 road at-bats. That road success will likely continue against struggling Oakland starter Brett Anderson. Over his past two starts, Anderson has allowed nine earned runs on 14 hits while only lasting a combined six innings.
OUTFIELD
Michael Brantley, CLE vs. CWS ($21): Finally enjoying a healthy campaign again, Brantley has returned to crushing right-handed pitching, as indicated by his .377 wOBA in that split. When Brantley's also benefitting from Progressive Field's fourth-ranked, 1.15 park factor, that number climbs to .416 over 196 home at-bats. Expect his hot-hitting ways to continue against White Sox righty Dylan Covey, who has surrendered a .350 wOBA to left-handed hitters this year.
Alex Gordon, KC at PIT ($18): Gordon's heated up over the past month, producing a .274/.366/.472 line and .357 wOBA since Aug. 18. Kansas City's three-hole hitter gets a great opportunity to stay hot with righty Chris Archer on the mound for the Pirates. Archer has allowed a .353 wOBA to batters from the left side this season, and he has an unimpressive 5.49 ERA in eight starts since being acquired by Pittsburgh at the trade deadline.
Tommy Pham, TB at TEX ($20): Pham's having a solid season against lefties, producing a .355 wOBA in that split after posting a .405 mark in 2017. He should be able to close the gap between those numbers against Rangers southpaw Yohander Mendez, who has a 6.00 ERA in nine home innings this season. It's no surprise Mendez has struggled at home given Globe Life Park in Arlington's league-high, 1.34 park factor.
