FantasyDraft, the only site offering 100% rake-free contests, allows for a lot more freedom when it comes to MLB lineup construction. Two pitchers, three infielders, three outfielders, and two utility players make building your lineups a lot of fun.
Wednesday delivers an odd slate breakdown that includes more games on the early slate than the nightcap. However, this article will still focus in on the four-game evening slate of action. With the small slate, we will need to choose our options carefully with so few pitchers and hitters in favorable spots. There is one team in particular that has the majority of my attention at the plate.
As always, be sure to pay close attention to the lineups when they are released and monitor the weather leading up to game time. For reference throughout the season, be sure to bookmark our overview of MLB Park Factors and how to Use Weather to Your Advantage in MLB DFS.
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Pitchers
James Paxton (NYY): $18,100 @ BAL
Over his last five starts, Paxton has a shaky 6.04 ERA. However, if you dig deeper you will see that he has just a 3.35 xFIP during that stretch while also posting a 34.5% strikeout rate in those outings. Paxton should see some positive regression on Wednesday night against an Orioles squad that has a league-high 30.7% strikeout rate against lefties over the last 30 days. Coming in as a huge Vegas favorite, Paxton should have the highest floor/ceiling combo of the slate working for him.
Trevor Williams (PIT): $15,000 vs. MIL
Finding your second pitcher on the small four-game slate will be a challenge so we have to look any leading indicator we can to get an edge. While the Brewers hit righties pretty well, they have struggled with Williams over his career. In 70 career plate appearances by the Brewers current collection of hitters, they have a minuscule .177 wOBA with a 27.1% strikeout rate. With Zac Gallen as the only other potential option I’d consider, I’m going to take the discount with Williams to save some salary and hope he keeps dominating the Brewers.
Other Notables
- Zac Gallen (ARI): $17,900 vs. PHI
Hitters
Red Sox Hitters vs. KC
The theme of this small slate on the hitting side is to jam in as many Red Sox hitters as possible. They will face Royals righty Glenn Sparkman who has allowed 18 runs over his last three starts including six homers. Left-handed hitters have produced a .457 wOBA and 3.98 HR/9 off him on the road this season, while righties have produced a .412 wOBA and 2.08 HR/9. The top options to consider include, Rafael Devers ($10,500), Mookie Betts ($9,900), Andrew Benintendi ($9,700), Mitch Moreland ($8,400), and Brock Holt ($6,500). Stack up those Red Sox bats!
Aaron Judge (OF – NYY): $8,600 @ BAL
Judge will be the first non-Red Sox hitter that I plug into my lineup. He has a reasonable price tag on Wednesday night despite a favorable matchup against lefty John Means. Judge has been mashing lefties this season with a .456 wOBA and .263 ISO. Meanwhile, Means has served up 1.33 HR/9 to righties this season and could have his outing cut short making his first start off the IL. That will leave at least a couple of at-bats for Judge versus the weak Orioles bullpen which has allowed a league-high .371 wOBA and 2.0 HR/9 to righties this season.
Whit Merrifield (IF/OF – KC): $8,300 @ BOS
Eduardo Rodriguez is not a pitcher I am targeting on this slate due to his salary and his struggles against a Royals team that has hit him well, albeit in a limited sample. Merrifield leads the hit parade for the Royals going 5-for-9 with a double off Rodriguez. He has a pair of hits in each of the first two games of the series against the Red Sox and has posted a .338 wOBA and .301 ISO on the road versus southpaws this season. He also offers plenty of lineup flexibility with his IF/OF eligibility on FantasyDraft.
Eduardo Escobar (IF – ARI): $9,000 vs. PHI
After filling my lineup with Red Sox, Judge, and Merrifield, you will need to piece together your favorite combination of the remaining hitters on the Other Notables list plus Escobar. I’m okay with rostering one Brewers hitter against my pitcher (Williams) on the small slate, or you can pivot down to Bubba Starling and have room for a Diamondbacks hitter such as Escobar. He has had his way with left-handed pitching this year with a .410 wOBA and .288 ISO. He’ll be at home against the Phillies soft-tossing lefty Jason Vargas who has given up a 49.6% hard-hit rate to righties on the road this season. He shouldn’t be able to hide behind his smoke and mirrors show forever. Right?!
Other Notables
- Ketel Marte (IF/OF – ARI): $9,600 vs. PHI
- Bryce Harper (OF – PHI): $8,400 @ ARI
- Mike Moustakas (IF – MIL): $8,100 @ PIT
- Trent Grisham (OF – MIL): $6,500 @ PIT
- Bubba Starling (OF – KC): $5,500 @ BOS
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Brad Richter is a Featured Writer and correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.
