This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
The players featured in this piece will be building blocks that can work in several lineup configurations (cash and GPP). We'll focus on the night slate for DraftKings, which will be highlighted by Noah Syndergaard and Charlie Morton taking the mound.
For those interested, we've started an MLB DFS Slack channel for paid RotoWire subscribers. (There is a season-long one as well.) To join those channels, e-mail support@rotowire.com.
STARTING PITCHER
Charlie Morton, HOU vs. TEX ($12,800): Morton only has a 7.0 K/9 for his career, but he's been a different pitcher since joining the Astros. He has followed up his career-high 10.0 K/9 in 2017 with a 10.4 K/9 this season. He also had trouble keeping runners off base earlier in his career, but sports a 1.16 WHIP since the start of last season. His 2.16 ERA this season is impressive, but it might not hold considering his 3.86 FIP and opponents posting just a .223 BABIP. He allowed two runs to go along with 12 strikeouts in his first start against the Rangers this season and could be in line for similar success Saturday since Texas entered play Friday with an OPS against right-handed pitchers that ranks in the bottom third in the league.
GPP Fade: Tyson Ross, SD vs. STL ($9,000): It's been a long road to recovery for Ross after having thoracic outlet surgery, throwing only 49 innings last year. He didn't pitch well either, finishing with a 7.71 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 6.6 K/9. He also had a 6.8 BB/9 and clearly wasn't the same pitcher from before the surgery. This season has been a different story, posting a 3.67 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across seven starts. He appears to have regained his command with a 3.5 BB/9 and is back to striking hitters out with a 9.9 K/9, although this success has resulted in a rise in his price with this being the most expensive he has been all season. It might make more sense to pay up for either Morton or Syndergaard and pair them with a really cheap option instead of riding with Ross since he will also eat up a significant portion of your budget.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Mike Soroka, ATL at MIA ($7,500): The Braves are reaping the benefits of their stellar farm system right now, including Soroka joining their starting rotation. Soroka wasn't a big strikeout pitcher in the minors, but his 1.10 WHIP and 0.3 HR/9 during his time there is very impressive. He gets an excellent matchup against the Marlins, who have scored the fewest runs in baseball entering play Friday. At this cheap price, Soroka could end up providing plenty of value for your entry.
CATCHER
Kurt Suzuki, ATL at MIA ($3,500): Suzuki only played 81 games for the Braves last season, but still managed to finish with 19 home runs and a .283 average. A big reason for his jump in power was his increased fly ball rate of 46.6%, a trend which has carried over into this season. He also boasted a .486 wOBA against left-handed pitchers last year, making him someone to target against Jarlin Garcia.
FIRST BASE
Joey Votto, CIN at LAD ($4,500): Right-hander Ross Stripling has mostly pitched out of the bullpen for the Dodgers this year, but will making his third start against the Reds. His 1.93 ERA looks great, but his 3.38 FIP and 1.41 WHIP both indicate he is not pitching nearly that well. Votto has a career .420 wOBA against righties, making him someone to target for your entry.
SECOND BASE
Scooter Gennett, CIN at LAD ($4,200): Gennett is another Reds lefty who could provide value since he has followed up his .388 wOBA against righties from 2017 with a .360 mark this season entering play Friday. He also hit 23 of his 27 home runs last year off right-handed pitchers.
THIRD BASE
Colin Moran, PIT vs. SF ($3,400): Moran never hit for much power in the minor leagues – and hasn't in his first full-season in the majors as of yet – but he did manage a career .290 average during his time there. He's been held to a 38 wRC+ against lefties this year, but has had much better success with a 127 wRC+ against righties.
SHORTSTOP
Carlos Correa, HOU vs. TEX ($4,900): Correa will be facing Doug Fister, who has struggled with a 1.53 WHIP and just a 7.2 K/9 this season. Fister has never been an overpowering pitcher and has had trouble keeping runners off base in general during the later stages of his career. Correa does have better numbers against lefties, but he didn't really struggle with a .380 wOBA against right-handers last year.
OUTFIELD
Lorenzo Cain, MIL at COL ($4,800):Kyle Freeland will take the mound for the Rockies, who had trouble keeping runners of base last year with a 1.49 WHIP. His 1.17 WHIP this season looks much better, but he's been aided by opponents posting just a .268 BABIP. Cain has a career .363 wOBA against lefties, making him someone to consider for your entry.
Franchy Cordero, SD vs. STL ($3,800): Cordero has shown a great combination of speed and power since being called up and looks to be a fixture of the Padres outfield for years to come. He strikes out a lot, but he also had a stellar 49.2 percent hard-hit rate entering play Friday. He has a .405 wOBA against righties so far as well, so don't sleep on him against Michael Wacha.
Josh Reddick, HOU vs. TEX ($3,600): Reddick is off to a slow start, but a lot of that has to do with his .244 BABIP that is over 40 percentage points lower than his career mark. He normally hits righties very well with a .342 wOBA for his career compared to a .289 wOBA against lefties. With Fister's struggles already detailed, Reddick could be another Astros hitter worth adding to your lineup.
