This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
11 games kick off the afternoon slate on Saturday, representing the overwhelming majority of play for the day. High-salary options seem almost unavoidable in certain spots, but we make up for that by highlighting three hitters under $3,000 that can be used to fill out lineups.
Pitching
Plucking the most expensive pitcher off the top of a large slate feels a bit like cheating, but circumstances are such that we don't really have a choice. Corbin Burnes ($10,500) has been incredible this year logging a 1.37 ERA and a 43 percent strikeout rate while only allowing two home runs over 59.1 frames. The Pirates rate as the worst team in the league against right-handed pitching according to wOBA (.288). They also have baseball's lowest ISO by a wide margin (.118).
Those willing to look under the hood will find a real gem in Alex Cobb ($8,700), whose 2.67 xFIP stands in sharp contrast to his 4.24 ERA. The first thing that jumps in regard to improvement is the 29 percent strikeout rate, which stands a full 10 points higher than his career average of 19. Cobb will take on the D-Backs, who hold the sixth-lowest wOBA in the league against right-handed pitching at .290.
Wade Miley ($7,600) doesn't offer the skill set of your typical DFS pitching target, but the veteran has kept a 2.96 ERA this season with the help of a career-best 58 percent groundball rate. It's no surprise to see the Rockies carry the lowest wOBA in the league on the road, but that's not our only motivation for this play since Colorado also holds the third-highest groundball rate away from home (48 percent).
Top Hitters
German Marquez has thrown the ball well this year, but Jesse Winker ($5,800) should almost be seen as matchup-proof thanks to the .355 ISO and .488 wOBA he's logged in 166 at-bats against righty hurlers. While there isn't much to exploit, Marquez has been hit slightly harder on the road based on the .443 slugging percentage he's allowed across 21.2 frames.
Matt Olson ($5,400) has shown tremendous power against both righty and lefty pitchers this season, resulting in a .291 ISO over 206 at-bats. Jackson Kowar was a solid - if unspectacular - minor league pitcher overall, but got absolutely torched in his major league debut facing seven batters and allowing four runs while recording just two outs. While it's only one start, it's worth seeing if Kowar is ready to face hitters at this level.
Vladimir Guerrero ($5,800) has crushed right-handed pitching to the tune of a .357 ISO and a .465 wOBA in 92 at-bats. Nick Pivetta is having one of his better years in his first tour with the Red Sox, but still holds an xFIP of 4.40 against same-handed batters.
Value Bats
Abraham Almonte ($2,300) has made the most of his 19-at bats against right-handers this season by logging a .263 ISO. He'll likely be in the starting lineup once again against Zach Thompson, who didn't log an ERA below 5.50 in the final two minor-league seasons. It's also worth noting he was tagged for two runs on four hits over three innings during his major-league debut last week.
Jake Fraley ($2,800) was on the injured list for nearly two months while nursing a hamstring injury, but the 26-year-old appears to be making up for lost time currently holding a .308/.514/.577 slash line against right-handed pitchers over 26 at-bats. An abundance of walks, homers, and strikeouts always make Triston McKenzie's starts interesting. While his xFIP tells us that number may come down, we simply can't ignore the 6.26 ERA he's posted across 10 games (nine starts) in 2021.
Miguel Andujar ($2,500) wasn't very productive after injuries saw him recalled from the minor leagues in May, but the 26-year-old has been tearing the cover off the ball in June with a .400 ISO in 20 at-bats. Vince Velasquez has thrown the ball well this year, but has had some trouble keeping righty hitters in the yard giving up seven homers in only 27.1 frames.
Stacks to Consider
Brewers against Chad Kuhl: Christian Yelich ($6,100), Avisail Garcia ($4,200), Omar Narvaez ($4,000)
Brewers won't come cheap against Kuhl, but we can still find reasonable options like Narvaez and his .212 ISO and .406 wOBA against righties from 113 at-bats. Kuhl has allowed a .545 slugging percentage to left-handed hitters. And while he's largely prevented damage against righty bats, a 6.18 xFIP tells us a major correction should be coming soon.
Phillies against Jameson Taillon: Rhys Hoskins ($4,900), Bryce Harper ($4,700), Jean Segura ($3,900)
Taillon has handled right-handed bats fairly well, but that doesn't seem to matter when the former top prospect is on the road since he's logged a staggering 9.18 ERA over 16.2 frames. This allows us to put a few hitters around someone like Harper, who has notched a .252 ISO against right-handed pitching in 103 at-bats.
