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). There will be games played throughout the day Saturday, but let's examine the main evening slate for DraftKings.
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 PITCHERS
Sean Newcomb, ATL vs. MIA ($11,500): Newcomb was originally scheduled to start Friday, but will get an extra day of rest after being pushed back to Saturday. He's been one of the anchors of the Braves' starting rotation this season, posting a 2.51 ERA and 3.08 FIP through eight starts. After struggling with a 1.57 WHIP last year, he's shown significant improvement this season with a 1.16 WHIP. Not only is he issuing almost one fewer walk per nine innings, but he continues to rack up strikeouts with a 10.4 K/9. He just faced the Marlins in his last start, recording six strikeouts in six scoreless innings. Considering the Marlins have one of the worst lineups in baseball, Newcomb has the potential for another excellent performance in their rematch.
GPP Fade: Dylan Bundy, BAL at BOS ($6,900): Bundy has had an inconsistent season, to say the least. After allowing three runs or fewer in each of his first five starts, he allowed at least seven runs in each of the next three. After his horrendous performance where he gave up seven runs to the Royals without recording an out, he followed that up with seven shutout innings against the Rays in his last outing. The Red Sox entered play Friday with the third-highest OPS at home (.827) and the highest OPS against right-handed pitchers (.820) in baseball, so this may not be the matchup to take a chance on seeing the good Bundy.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Freddy Peralta, MIL at MIN ($8,100): Peralta looked stellar in his debut, recording 13 strikeouts in 5.2 scoreless innings. He only allowed one hit and two walks in what was a dominating performance against the Rockies in, of all places, Coors Field. It will obviously be hard for him to match that type of production Saturday, but he's a strikeout pitcher with a 10.6 K/9 during his career in the minors. The Twins have struggled to score runs all season, so it could be worth taking a chance that Peralta provides value again in this game.
CATCHER
Gary Sanchez, NYY at KC ($4,500): Sanchez is still hitting for power, but has struggled with his batting average in large part because of his .207 BABIP. He still has a .416 wOBA against lefties entering play Friday despite his struggles, following up his .369 wOBA against them in 2017. With the struggling Danny Duffy taking the mound, this could be a prime opportunity to get Sanchez into your lineup.
FIRST BASE
C.J. Cron, TB at LAA ($4,200): Cron entered Friday on a 10-game hitting streak, going 17-for-43 (.395) with four home runs. He's finally getting a chance to play every day after never playing more than 116 games in a season. He'll face Andrew Heaney, who has handled lefties with a .273 wOBA for his career, but righties have given him problems with a .349 wOBA.
SECOND BASE
Howie Kendrick, WAS vs. LAD ($3,400): The Nationals suffered yet another postponement due to rain on Friday, setting up a double-header against the Dodgers Saturday. Rich Hill (finger) will start the nightcap, setting up a nice matchup for Kendrick since he had a .385 wOBA against lefties last year.
THIRD BASE
Anthony Rendon, WAS vs. LAD ($4,100): You don't see too many hitters like Rendon anymore, who had more walks (84) than strikeouts (82) last year while still hitting 25 home runs and 41 doubles. He's been limited to 23 games this season due to injury, but has continued with his excellent eye at the plate, drawing 12 walks compared to 14 strikeouts. He posted a spectacular .461 wOBA against lefties last year, making him another Nationals' righty to consider against Hill.
SHORTSTOP
Andrelton Simmons, LAA vs. TB ($4,000): The Rays are going to start Sergio Romo in what will end up being one of their bullpen games. Their bullpen doesn't exactly instill fear, posting the fifth-highest ERA (4.64) in baseball entering Friday. This could be a great opportunity to stack Angels in your entry, Simmons included.
OUTFIELD
Giancarlo Stanton, NYY at KC ($5,200): Stanton should always be on your radar when he's facing a lefty. He has followed up his 202 wRC+ against them last year with an insane 322 wRC+ so far this season. If you can fit him into your budget, he carries significant upside.
Nomar Mazara, TEX at CWS ($4,400): The White Sox will start Lucas Giolito, who hasn't had anything go right this season with a 6.91 ERA and 6.05 FIP through eight starts. He's had major control issues with a 6.9 BB/9 and isn't fooling many hitters with a 5.2 K/9. Don't expect his strikeout numbers to increase much either considering his 6.8 K/9 last year. Giolito has allowed a .349 wOBA against lefties for his career, making Mazara someone to consider at this reasonable price.
Shin-Soo Choo, TEX at CWS ($3,500): Continuing our search for lefties to use against Giolito, Choo is a cheap option who might be worth taking a chance on in tournament play. Although he's off to a slow start this year, Choo has a .382 wOBA against right-handers for his career.
