This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Tuesday's packed slate of action across baseball brings a bevy of star pitchers. It's going to be hard to resist paying up at the position based on some of the options available, but there are some intriguing cheaper arms, as well. Let's jump into the matchups and discuss some of the better players to target.
Pitching Overview
The last time we saw Walker Buehler ($51) on the mound against the Padres, he pitched a complete game, allowing one run and recording 15 strikeouts. He's been one of the most overpowering forces in baseball this season with his 2.90 FIP, 1.02 WHIP and 29.2 percent strikeout rate. Considering the Padres are now missing one of their best hitters with Fernando Tatis Jr. (back) on the shelf, Buehler carries tremendous upside.
Luis Castillo ($50) has had a fantastic season for the Reds with his 3.73 FIP and 28.5 percent strikeout rate. As far as favorable matchups go, it doesn't get much better than what he will see here pitching against the Marlins at Marlins Park. When he faced the Marlins in Cincinnati earlier this season, he allowed only three base runners while recording eight strikeouts over seven scoreless innings. Expect him to be one of the chalk pitchers of the night.
Mike Fiers ($49) is a bit pricey than usual, but his matchup with the Royals might warrant the increase. He's quietly compiled a 3.46 ERA, although his FIP sits at 4.72. It should be noted that he has a similarly high 4.75 FIP last season, but still managed to record a 3.56 ERA. With the Royals in the bottom-four of baseball in runs, home runs and OPS, look for Fiers to provide another valuable stat line.
Key Values/Chalk
Although it will only be a two-game series between the Red Sox and Rockies at Coors Field, we have the potential to see plenty of runs on both sides. With Rick Porcello on the mound for the Red Sox, expect the Rockies to be one of the chalk stacks of the night. Not only does Porcello have a 1.41 WHIP, but he's allowed 1.6 HR/9. The big names like Charlie Blackmon ($25), Nolan Arenado ($23) and Trevor Story ($26) are all very appealing. So is Ryan McMahon ($20), who has a .390 wOBA at Coors Field.
Miles Mikolas has been hit hard in his last three starts, allowing 16 runs (15 earned) and five home runs over 16 innings. He has a 5.22 FIP on the road for the season, overall, so having to face the Brewers at Miller Park isn't exactly the ideal situation for him to get back on track. Expect to see Christian Yelich ($22) included in a lot of entries despite his hefty price tag.
The Indians suffered a tough blow over the weekend, losing Jose Ramirez (hand) for at least the majority of the rest of the regular season. Even though his absence creates a significant hole in their lineup, they are a team to pursue on this night against Spencer Turnbull and the Tigers. They have already faced him four times this season, scoring 14 runs over 20 innings. With lefties producing a .349 wOBA against him, Mike Freeman ($10) could be an interesting cheaper option. He should fill in for Ramirez against right-handed pitchers and he has produced a .346 wOBA this season.
Stacks
Nationals vs. Aaron Brooks (Orioles)
Anthony Rendon (3B - $27), Juan Soto (OF - $28), Adam Eaton (OF - $27)
Brooks had a rare strong performance his last time on the mound, allowing just one run over five innings. However, it came against the Royals, so don't get too excited. Even with that outing, he still has a 5.87 FIP for the season. Rendon and Soto are anchors to build a lineup around while Eaton is also red-hot, hitting 24-for-61 (.393) with five home runs and six doubles over his last 16 games.
Red Sox vs. Rico Garcia (Rockies)
Rafael Devers (3B - $27), Mitch Moreland (1B - $17), Jackie Bradley Jr. (OF - $13)
With German Marquez (arm) hitting the IL, Garcia will be given his first start in the majors. He thrived earlier in the season at Double-A, but he recorded a 6.54 FIP and a 1.75 WHIP across 12 starts at Triple-A. This is a prime matchup to stack the Red Sox, even though they could be without J.D. Martinez since there will be no DH slot available to them. Devers carries the highest ceiling out of this trio while Moreland also provides plenty of power with his .258 ISO.
Yankees vs. Yusei Kikuchi (Mariners)
Aaron Judge (OF - $17), Gary Sanchez (C - $19), Gleyber Torres (2B - $24)
After scoring five runs in the series opener Monday, the Yankees could be in line for a very productive night in this contest. Kikuchi's first season in the majors has not gone well with him compiling a 5.71 FIP and a 1.44 WHIP. He's also given up 2.1 HR/9. Judge has gone deep in three of his last four games, so he looks to finally be out of the power slump that had plagued him recently.
