This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Though the Mets and Phillies are kicking off their game at 6:05 PM ET, they have been lopped off Friday's contest, leaving us with 14 games worth of players to choose from. However, that game sees Noah Syndergaard taking on Aaron Nola, so it's not like either offense should be expected to blow up. The weather is iffy to kick off the weekend in some cities, but we shall press on.
Here are my lineup recommendations…
PITCHER
Kyle Gibson, MIN vs. DET ($8,500): Gibson has a 3.49 ERA, best in his career, and he also has a personal best 8.59 K/9 rate. This is a particularly good matchup for him as well. The Tigers are 28th in runs scored with a .297 OBP as a team. On the road, though, they are last in runs scored with a woeful .634 OPS.
GPP Pitcher Fade: Kyle Freeland, COL at ATL ($8,100): Freeland has a 3.02 ERA, but his FIP is a less impressive 3.99. You may also assume that Coors Field is the main factor here, but he actually has a 3.74 ERA on the road. The young Braves have a potent offense, as they rank seventh in runs scored and have a .262 batting average as a team. That's third in the majors.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Robbie Ray, ARI at SDP ($7,600): There has been a sharp difference in Ray's home and road performances the last two years. For example, he has a 2.70 ERA on the road this season, compared to a 7.18 ERA at home. He also had a 1.86 ERA in away games in 2017. There's arguably no road park better to pitch in than Petco Park, so Ray should continue his success away from Arizona.
CATCHER
Yam Gomes, CLE vs. BAL ($3,800): Gomes has a .245 batting average to go with a .421 slugging percentage. He's also hit 11 homers in 85 games after hitting 14 last season. Orioles pitcher David Hess has not impressed as a rookie. He has a 6.45 FIP and has allowed 2.14 homers per nine innings.
FIRST BASE
Ryan Zimmerman, WAS vs. MIA ($4,500): Since returning from injury, Zimmerman has slashed .357/.431/.696. He should be able to stay hot against the Marlins and Dan Straily. Straily has a 5.44 FIP this season, and a 4.79 FIP in his career. The veteran pitcher also has allowed 1.57 homers per nine innings this year.
SECOND BASE
Willy Adames, TAM at BOS ($4,200): The 22-year-old Adames was a prospect with promise before making his debut this season, and so far he has built on that potential. He has six homers and five stolen bases through 48 games. Due to injuries the Red Sox will be starting Brian Johnson on the mound. Though he's mostly pitched out of the bullpen, he has a 4.27 FIP.
THIRD BASE
Alex Bregman, HOU at OAK ($4,200): Bregman has absolutely raked this year, as he has a .893 OPS and 22 home runs through 118 contests. Edwin Jackson has a 2.48 ERA, but if you look closer you will find reason for skepticism. He has a 3.88 FIP, and over his prior three seasons he averaged a 5.15 FIP. You can trust Bregman's numbers more than Jackson's, especially at this price.
SHORTSTOP
Brandon Crawford, SFG at CIN ($4,100): At this point, Crawford's reliability can be taken for granted. He has a .274 batting average to go along with a career-high .345 OBP. The shortstop also has 11 homers, giving him double-digit dingers for the fifth straight season. Anthony DeSclafani is having a terrible campaign, posting a sky-high 5.21 FIP while giving up a whopping 2.03 homers per nine innings.
OUTFIELD
Joey Gallo, TEX vs. LAA ($4,900): We know what Gallo does. He hits for power. Over the last two seasons he has 73 home runs, including 32 this year. He's been particularly good at home, posting a .574 slugging percentage in the Rangers' ballpark. Odrisamer Despaigne was pitching poorly enough earlier this year the Marlins didn't want him anymore, but now he's getting a start for the Angels. The 31-year-old has a career 4.76 ERA.
Brett Gardner, NYY vs. TOR ($4,400): Gardner doesn't steal as many bases as he used to, but he still has 10 swiped bags this year. He also has 10 homers after hitting 21 last season. While he's struggled against lefties in the past, his performance against righties has always been strong. Toronto starter Marcus Stroman has struggled this year to the tune of a 5.03 ERA. On the road, that ERA jumped to 5.33.
Kole Calhoun, LAA at TEX ($4,200): Calhoun has a slash line of .309/.391/.673 over his last 30 games, and he's hit 11 of his 17 homers in that time as well. His slow start is clearly behind him, even if his overall numbers don't look great. Mike Minor, in his first year as a starter since 2014, has a 4.61 ERA and has given up 1.46 homers per nine innings.
