This article is part of our FantasyAces MLB series.
Here are my recommendations for games on Wednesday:
SP – Dallas Keuchel ($6,500): Keuchel is pitching for the hottest team in the American League and is opposed by a young pitcher whose BABIP in his last four starts is .366. In addition, Keuchel has dominated all but two of the possible opposing batters that he might face. Even though he has surrendered four earned runs in both of his last two starts, he picked up the victory in both. The added runs allowed came after he gave up just two in his first four starts combined.
SP – Wei-Yin Chen ($5,700):Chen has been very consistent this season, surrendering no more than three earned runs in any start. He is also supported by one of the best hitting lineups in the majors. Chen has impressive splits against opposing Mariners batters, pitching to a .427 OPS in a modest sample of 85 plate appearances.
C– Russell Martin ($5,300): Martin is hitting very well over the last month, posting a 1.046 OPS, including seven hits in his last three games.
2B/SS– Dee Gordon ($5,500): For me, it is impossible to ignore a speedy batter who is batting over .400 for the year so far. He already has 12 stolen bases in addition to his success at the plate. A no brainer…
2B/SS – Brandon Crawford ($4,500): Crawford has eight hits (three for extra bases) in his last four games, helping to increase his OPS to .881 this season. He is well ahead of his career-norms for extra-base hits and home runs, and looks poised to extend his current hitting streak.
1B/3B – Miguel Cabrera ($5,850): On a day when there are no expensive pitchers, you can afford to have Miggy in your lineup. After hitting only 25 homers last season, he has 10 already this year, and he looks like his former Triple Crown self during his current seven-game hitting streak (including three home runs).
1B/3B – Juan Uribe ($3,900): Uribe is 10-for-33 with five extra-base hits in his career against Tim Lincecum, with much of that coming when Lincecum was a lot better than he has been over the last two seasons. Uribe is also a very cheap option, which gives you some flexibility to pay up in other spots.
OF – Andrew McCutchen ($5,100): After a slow start, McCutchen has started to look like the MVP-caliber player he's been over the last three seasons. He is priced lower than that status for Wednesday's game and that makes him attractive, too. He also has a 6-for-12 mark with two walks and no strikeouts against Mike Pelfrey, Wednesday's opposing starter.
OF – Bryce Harper ($6,000): Harper is tearing the cover off the ball, hitting four homers and going 12-for-23 in the past week, which includes four multi-hit games. That is only a part of his 2015 stat line, which looks like an MVP caliber ledger highlighted by a 1.211 OPS. This is where you spend some of the big money Wednesday.
OF – Michael Brantley ($5,500): – Brantley has been solid of late, going 10-for-31 in his last eight games, helping to increase his OPS to .945. Additionally, he has only eight strikeouts in 142 plate appearances, a bigger positive for FantasyAces lineups that punish strikeouts.
Util – Nelson Cruz ($6,000): Here's another big power bat who you should be able to fit into your Wednesday roster. Cruz off to a great start this season with 16 homers and an 1.118 OPS in 161 plate appearances. He is putting together a career year for a Mariners team that has to like the early returns of their free-agent acquisition.
Other favorable batting/pitching options:Brandon Belt 1B, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Yunel Escobar 2B Jason Kipnis, 3B, Avisail Garcia OF, Starling Marte OF, Freddy Galvis SS, Wilson Ramos C, Jered Weaver SP, Jeremy Guthrie SP
