This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Saturday's seven-game evening slate features exorbitant salaries and tough matchups for pitchers in the upper tier, but we can find value options every step of the way to fill out our lineups.
Pitchers
Framber Valdez ($9,500) offers nice upside having logged two performances of 30 or more points since coming off the disabled list. While they have been a powerhouse against left-handed pitching, the White Sox carry a league-high 48 percent groundball rate. This should allow Valdez to keep the lineup in check, as he's induced grounders on a whopping 75 percent of balls in play during his four starts.
Struggles out of the bullpen have worked to inflate Patrick Sandoval's ($8,600) ERA, but he's been fantastic as a starter based on a 2.77 ERA and .298 wOBA allowed across 26 innings. The Tigers fall just outside of the bottom-10 against right-handers according to wOBA, but will remain a DFS target as long as they enter with the league's highest strikeout rate (28 percent).
It's always risky to select a pitcher at Coors Field, but Austin Gomber ($6,600) has been on a phenomenal run in June by only allowing one run in 19 innings (three starts). The Brewers are a middle-of-the-pack offense against lefties according to wOBA, but hold a 29 percent strikeout rate and that gives Gomber a bit more upside.
Top Hitters
Ryan McMahon's ($5,400) breakout season has resulted in the 26-year-old becoming one of the Rockies' most productive hitters this year having posted a .258 ISO and a 48 percent hard contact rate in 248 at-bats. Adrian Houser has thrown the ball well overall, but has also allowed a .450 slugging percentage over 31 road innings.
Drew Smyly hasn't exactly set the world on fire against either side of the platoon this season, but the worst damage against him has been done by same-handed hitters. This seems likely to change as the 32-year-old holds a 5.46 xFIP against right-handed bats. Nolan Arenado ($5,200) has logged a .271 ISO against southpaws this year, making him well-equipped to take advantage of the fact Smyly has allowed nine homers to righty hitters in 40 innings.
Jared Walsh ($5,400) is worth a look whenever a right-handed pitcher is on the bump due to the .301 ISO and .437 wOBA against opposite-handed hurlers from 162 at-bats. Wily Peralta managed a 2.75 ERA in 19.2 innings of relief for Triple-A Toledo, but got hit hard during his last tour in the major leagues by notching a 5.42 ERA over 42 games (40.1 innings).
Bargain Bats
Michael Brantley's ($3,800) .424 wOBA against right-handed pitching is impressive enough, but the real fun starts when we highlight what the veteran has done since coming off the injured list as he's produced a .250 ISO and a .578 wOBA in 25 at-bats. Lance Lynn has been one of the better pitchers in 2021, but that doesn't mean we can't look for opportunities with a 4.80 xFIP against left-handed hitters.
Abraham Almonte's ($2,800) salary has risen since we highlighted him last week, but anything under $3,000 remains a solid deal for a player who has notched a .265 ISO and .455 wOBA in 34 at-bats against right-handed pitching. Adam Wainwright hasn't been able to replicate his fantastic performances this season away from Busch Stadium having allowed a .575 slugging percentage in 18.1 frames on the road.
Ty France ($2,600) represents another hitter who has thrived since his activation from the IL with a .200 ISO and a .367 wOBA in 60 at-bats. Josh Fleming's struggles on the road present an opportunity for us to fill out lineups with cheap bats. The 25-year-old has posted a 4.63 ERA across 23.1 innings away from Tropicana Field.
Stacks to Consider
Angels against Wily Peralta: Jared Walsh ($5,400) Max Stassi ($4,200) Jose Iglesias ($3,900)
The heaviest hitters in the Angels' lineup carry salaries in the stratosphere, but Stassi is a reasonably-valued option who has notched a .234 ISO and .431 wOBA against righty pitching in 47 at-bats. The nature of the opponent allows us to fill out the stack with someone like Iglesias, who has found himself hitting in the middle of the order due to injuries.
Rockies against Adrian Houser: Ryan McMahon ($5,400) Garrett Hampson ($4,300) Raimel Tapia ($3,500)
As mentioned above, several Colorado mainstays haven't been their productive selves in 2021, but hitters like Hampson have picked up the slack by recording a .233 ISO and .384 wOBA at home. Tapia makes for a rare low-cost option at Coors Field thanks to the .427 wOBA he's recorded over 74 June at-bats.
