I hate that every time the Rockies play at home, half of this space (at least on the days I write it) becomes devoted to debating the merits of stacking Rockies and their opponent for the day. Of course, the Colorado game has the highest run total in Vegas again Wednesday, so a Rockies or Nationals stack is worth considering, even though you will have to pay a ton for it.

That being said, there are other stacks I like quite a bit, and I don’t feel like I am doing anyone any favors by listing off the hitters in the heart of the Colorado and Washington orders. If you want to stack Rockies and Nationals, you don’t need my help. With that in mind, here are my three favorite stacks, in order, for Wednesday, April 26, along with four others worth considering.

San Diego Padres versus Zack Godley

Wil Myers, Yangervis Solarte, Austin Hedges, Ryan Schimpf, Cory Spangenberg, Hunter Renfroe, Manuel Margot

This game’s expected run total is 10, or just one run fewer than Washington vs. Colorado. I like most of these hitters individually, so stacking them just makes sense. Wil Myers is 4-for-4 against Godley. Austin Hedges has hit a home run in four of his last five starts. Yangervis Solarte has a six-game hitting streak and is 6-for-9 over his last two games. Manuel Margo is 8-for-22 during a five-game hitting streak, while Hunter Renfroe is 6-for-19 with a home run during his five-game hitting streak. Cory Spangenberg batted second Tuesday, but if he drops in the order, I may drop him from my stack, especially if Ryan Schimpf takes his place.

St. Louis Cardinals versus Mat Latos

Aledmys Diaz, Stephen Piscotty, Dexter Fowler, Yadier Molina, Jedd Gyorko, Matt Carpenter

Mat Latos has a 7.20 ERA and 1.80 WHIP through one start this season, and there is little reason to believe it will get much better. Latos had 42 strikeouts and 30 walks in 70 innings last season, and you simply cannot survive in the big leagues pitching that way. Latos had three walks and one strikeout in his debut last week. It is also worth noting Matt Adams would be an interesting value play if he gets the start.

Pittsburgh Pirates versus Jon Lester

Jordy Mercer, Andrew McCutchen, Josh Harrison, David Freese, Francisco Cervelli, Chris Stewart

As I mentioned in today’s pitching coach notes, Jon Lester has thrown his breaking pitches for strikes less than any starting pitcher in baseball this season, and the Pirates have the lowest chase rate against lefties since the 2016 All-Star Break. Lester has managed to pitch around trouble in the early innings for most of the season, including his Easter start against the Pirates, but I don’t know how long that can continue, especially when his 4.2% HR/FB rate increases. This could easily make me look silly, but the Pirates are cheap, and I feel confident in saying they will not be a popular stack.

Others Receiving Votes:

I will probably skip the early slate, but if I do play it, I will have a hard time playing any hitters outside of the Cincinnati-Milwaukee Game. The over/under is 9 ½, and for good reason.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Wily Peralta

Billy Hamilton, Jose Peraza, Joey Votto, Adam Duvall, Eugenio Suarez, Scott Schebler, Tucker Barnhart

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Rookie Davis

Jonathan Villar, Eric Thames, Ryan Braun, Travis Shaw, Orlando Arcia, Jett Bandy

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Johnny Cueto

Andrew Toles, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Chase Utley, Corey Seager

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Trevor Cahill

A.J. Pollock, Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Lamb, David Peralta, Yasmany Tomas