This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Baseball closes out the week with 13 games on the schedule Friday, all of which are included in the main slate on Yahoo. There are a few elite pitchers set to take the mound, but there are also plenty of lineups in positions to thrive. Here are some of the better options to consider when completing your entry.
Pitching Overview
Clayton Kershaw ($50) is coming off of back-to-back poor performances after he allowed nine runs (eight earned) across 13 innings against the Diamondbacks and Rockies. One of those games was at Coors Field, so don't overreact to a couple of bad outings. He's allowed three runs or fewer in 11 of his 14 starts, leaving him with a 3.23 ERA and a 3.75 FIP. Look for him to bounce back in a big way at home against the Padres.
The Yankees have had the Rays' number this season and no pitcher on their staff has dominated them the way Masahiro Tanaka ($45) has. He's already made three starts against their division rival, allowing one run and recording 23 strikeouts across 22 innings. The last time he started against them, he only allowed three base runners in a complete game shutout. It's hard to argue against taking a chance on him based on those numbers.
For those looking to load up on hitters, Austin Voth ($35) could go a long way toward providing some salary relief. He'll be making his third start with the Nationals after recording a 3.82 FIP, 1.35 WHIP and 25.4 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A. His first outing couldn't have gone much better with him holding the Braves to two runs and recording seven strikeouts over six innings. The Tigers had more success against him in his second start, scoring three runs over 4.1 innings. Facing a Royals team that is in the bottom-third of the league in runs scored and OPS, Voth might be able to provide value.
Key Values/Chalk
It's been another disastrous season for the Orioles, who don't have many promising players in their lineup. While that normally makes them a team to avoid, they could be in line for a big night against Aaron Sanchez and the Blue Jays. Sanchez has been arguably one of the worst pitchers in the league, recording a 6.31 ERA, 5.53 FIP and 1.77 WHIP. Trey Mancini ($20) and Chance Sisco ($18) are two players to possibly target. Sisco has been especially productive with a 176 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers.
The Nationals also find themselves in a favorable spot against Brad Keller, who has a very underwhelming arsenal that has resulted in his 16.3 percent strikeout rate. Juan Soto ($23) and his 143 wRC+ carry plenty of upside into this matchup. Trea Turner ($20) is also a great option who is 14-for-47 (.298) with three doubles and five steals across his last 11 games.
Drew Pomeranz will enter his start Friday with a 5.47 FIP and a 1.72 WHIP, which immediately makes the Cardinals a team to consider. Despite Paul Goldschmidt ($11) having a disappointing first half, he's still produced a .355 wOBA against left-handed pitchers. Jose Martinez ($15) also hits lefties very well, recording a 163 wRC+ against them for his career.
Stacks
Red Sox vs. Gregory Soto (Tigers)
J.D. Martinez (OF - $24), Michael Chavis (1B - $16), Christian Vazquez (C- $18)
Not much has gone right for Soto, who has an 8.44 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP across six starts. He hasn't pitched more than four innings in any of those outings and has issued 12 walks while recording only 15 strikeouts. Martinez has destroyed left-handed pitchers this year with a 221 wRC+ against them, making him one of the top players on the Red Sox to target. Chavis brings plenty of power into this matchup while Vazquez is 24-for-70 (.343) with six home runs over his last 17 contests.
Blue Jays vs. Dylan Bundy (Orioles)
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (OF - $25), Cavan Biggio (2B - $20), Justin Smoak (1B - $13)
Bundy continues to struggle to keep hitters inside the ball park, allowing 19 home runs over 84.1 innings. That could spell his downfall against Gurriel, who has launched 15 homers over 38 games since being recalled from the minors. Smoak could also provide some upside at a much cheaper price considering his .385 wOBA versus righties.
Athletics vs. Yusei Kikuchi (Marines)
Matt Chapman (3B - $21), Khris Davis (OF - $14), Ramon Laureano (OF - $19)
Kikuchi's first season in the majors has not gone well with him recording a 5.12 ERA that is backed by a 5.47 FIP. He has a 1.51 WHIP while allowing 1.8 HR/9, so it's not a huge surprise that he has struggled. With his propensity for giving up home runs, the powerful duo of Chapman and Davis are worth considering. Laureano is also a viable power threat with five home runs and five doubles over his last 18 games.
