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). Saturday brings a full 15-game slate spread out throughout the day. Let's focus on the featured evening contests for DraftKings.
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STARTING PITCHERS
Justin Verlander, HOU vs. BOS ($12,100): Verlander couldn't be off to much better of a start this year, allowing two runs or fewer in 11 of his 12 outings. It seems unlikely that he will be able to maintain his 1.11 ERA through the rest of the season, but with a 2.21 FIP and a microscopic 0.71 WHIP, he is on pace for one of the best seasons of his career. Not only is his walk rate down, but his 10.8 K/9 would also rank as the highest of his career. The Red Sox have a potent lineup, but will be without one of their best hitters after Mookie Betts (side) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday.
GPP Fade: David Price, BOS at HOU ($6,800): Price has settled things down lately, allowing two runs or fewer in each of his last four starts. Before that stretch, he had allowed 19 runs – including 16 earned – across his previous three outings. He's not missing as many bats this season with an 8.9 percent swinging-strike rate and an 8.5 K/9, both of which are his lowest marks since the 2013 season. The Astros entered Friday with the fifth-highest OPS against left-handed pitchers (.786) in baseball, so this might be a good time to avoid playing Price.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Mike Montgomery, CHC at NYM ($7,300): With Yu Darvish (triceps) on the disabled list once again, Montgomery gets another turn in the Cubs' starting rotation. He made his first start of the season against the Pirates on Monday, throwing 5.2 scoreless innings and recording five strikeouts. His numbers didn't exactly jump off the page in 14 starts last year, but he finished with a respectable 4.15 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 7.3 K/9 in those games. The Mets also have the lowest OPS against lefties in baseball by a wide margin, leaving Montgomery as a viable option in tournament play.
CATCHER
Wilson Ramos, TB at SEA ($3,700): Ramos hit .330 in May and has been one of the most consistently productive catchers this season. He showed he could serve as a valuable fantasy contributor when he hit .307 with 22 home runs in 2016, but injuries limited him to just 64 games last season. With a .363 wOBA against lefties this year, Ramos is once again someone to consider for your entry facing Marco Gonzales.
FIRST BASE
Eric Hosmer, SD vs. CIN ($4,000): Incredibly, Hosmer only notched four RBI in his first 26 games with his new team, but drove in 20 runs during the month of May. He is striking out more this year, but also entered Friday with a career-high 12.5 percent walk rate. He has followed up his .400 wOBA against right-handers last year with a .384 mark this season, which bodes well against Matt Harvey.
SECOND BASE
Ian Kinsler, LAA vs. TEX ($3,300): Kinsler only batted .236 last year, as he was dragged down by his .244 BABIP. He entered play Friday batting only .217 this year with an even worse .224 BABIP. The good news is he isn't striking out as much and is showing signs of coming back to life with eight hits across his last three games. With a career .375 wOBA against lefties, he's a viable option against Cole Hamels.
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez, CIN at SD ($5,000): Suarez is on pace to have the best season of his career, entering Friday with a .306 average, 10 home runs and 43 RBI. His .313 BABIP is also right in line with his career mark, which is good news for his value moving forward. He is destroying lefties with a 273 wRC+ and doesn't exactly face an overwhelming one in Eric Lauer.
SHORTSTOP
Brandon Crawford, SF vs. PHI ($3,700): Crawford has only batted .255 for his career, but he entered Friday hitting .307. Don't get too excited, though, as his BABIP is unsustainable at .371. However, he faces Vince Velasquez on Saturday, who allowed a .376 wOBA to lefties last year and has followed that up by allowing a .397 wOBA to them this season.
OUTFIELD
Justin Upton, LAA vs. TEX ($4,100): Upton is only batting .237, but he's still hitting for power with 11 home runs entering Friday. He sports a .377 wOBA against left-handers in his career and is 15-for-51 (.294) with three home runs against Hamels.
Nomar Mazara, TEX at LAA ($4,000): Mazara wasn't exactly lacking power after hitting exactly 20 home runs in each of his first two seasons, but has already slugged 13 homers this year entering Friday. At only 23 years old, he may be one of the least talked about excellent young players. Garrett Richards hasn't exactly been consistent for the Angels this season with a 1.35 WHIP and a 1.2 HR/9, making Mazara someone to consider for your lineup.
Dee Gordon, SEA vs. TB ($3,800): The Mariners have dealt with a lot of injuries this year, but activated Gordon on Thursday to get a much needed reinforcement. Gordon doesn't provide much power, but has still grabbed 16 steals and is batting .302 heading into Friday. The Rays have only caught four of 31 stolen base attempts this season, leaving Gordon with some upside on the base paths.
