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 are only four night games Saturday, so let's take a look at the early slate on DraftKings that consists of eight games.
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STARTING PITCHERS
Max Scherzer, WAS at TOR ($14,000): It doesn't take much to make a case to start Scherzer anytime he is on the mound. His 2.00 ERA is supported by a 1.87 FIP and he doesn't allow hardly any baserunners with a 0.85 WHIP. He only has a 0.7 HR/9 to go along with a whopping 13.5 K/9. He has recorded a K/9 of at least 10.1 in each of the last six seasons, which helps to give him such tremendous upside in DFS. The only negative about Scherzer is his hefty price tag, but he's been worth it most games.
GPP Fade: Carlos Carrasco, CLE vs. MIN ($12,300): This is more about Carrasco's price than anything else. He's not having a bad season with a 3.90 ERA and a 3.39 FIP. His strikeout rate is down, but it's still good in the grand scheme of things at 25.8 percent. He's seen mixed results in his first two starts against the Twins this season, allowing six runs in 3.2 innings in their first matchup – then throwing seven shutout innings in their rematch. He could very well have another good start Saturday, but if you don't want to pay up for Scherzer, Sean Newcomb has similar upside as Carrasco, and is much cheaper at $9,500.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Junior Guerra, MIL vs. PHI ($8,200): Guerra was a late arrival to the majors since he didn't make his debut until 2015 when he was 30 years old. He exceled the following season for the Brewers, finishing with a 2.81 ERA, 3.70 FIP and a 1.13 WHIP. He took a step backward last year with a 1.48 WHIP and a 2.3 HR/9 that led to a bloated 5.12 ERA. He's rebounded nicely through 12 starts this season, mainly because he has a 1.15 WHIP and has corrected his home run issue with just a 0.8 HR/9. His strikeout upside isn't very high, but he has allowed more than three runs only three times so far this season. The Phillies don't exactly have a potent offense, leaving Guerra as a viable option in tournament play.
CATCHER
Tucker Barnhart, CIN at PIT ($3,200): Barnhart doesn't provide much power, but he's hitting a respectable .259 entering Friday and has found himself batting second in the Reds lineup. He'll face right-hander Ivan Nova, which is great news since Nova has allowed a .384 wOBA to lefties this season.
FIRST BASE
Justin Bour, MIA at BAL ($4,100): Bour will be facing Alex Cobb, who sports a 7.23 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP in his first season with the Orioles. Cobb has been prone to blowups, allowing at least five runs in five of his 11 outings. Lefties have dominated him with a .453 wOBA, opening the door for Bour to potentially have a valuable performance.
SECOND BASE
DJ LeMahieu, COL at TEX ($4,300): The transition back to being a starting pitcher has not gone well for Mike Minor, who has slumped with a 5.65 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Stacking Rockies right-handed hitters could prove to be a wise move since Minor has a .364 wOBA against righties this season. LeMahieu and his .450 wOBA against lefties leaves him as one of their top right-handed bats to target.
THIRD BASE
Nolan Arenado, COL at TEX ($4,900): Next up in our potential Rockies stack is Arenado, who continues to excel with a .305 average and a .931 OPS entering Friday. Arenado has been much better in Coors Field, but his 208 wRC+ against lefties this year still makes him one of the best third baseman on the board Saturday.
SHORTSTOP
Trevor Story, COL at TEX ($5,100): After batting just .239 last year, Story entered Friday with a .270 average. He's done a great job cutting down on his strikeouts with a 26.6 percent strikeout rate after posting a 34.4 percent strikeout rate last year. He's another Rockies hitter who mashes lefties with a .438 wOBA against them this season.
OUTFIELD
Juan Soto, WAS at TOR ($4,400): Soto has been everything the Nationals could have hoped for – and then some – since being called up from the minors. He's shown an excellent eye at the plate and is hitting for both power and average. He'll face Marco Estrada in this game, who has a 1.37 WHIP and doesn't have an overpowering arsenal with just a 7.3 K/9.
Scott Schebler, CIN at PIT ($4,300): Schebler mashed 30 homers for the Reds last year, but it came with a poor .233 average. He's off to another great start in the power department with eight home runs entering Friday, but he's also batting .284. His BABIP is a little higher than normal for him at .317, but he's also been able to cut down on his strikeouts. He's another Reds lefty to consider with Nova on the mound, especially since he has gone 9-for-22 (.409) with a home run against him in his career.
Lonnie Chisenhall, CLE vs. MIN ($3,200): Chisenhall entered Friday still looking for his first home run, but he's only played 15 games due to injury. He's still getting his hits, as evidenced by a .311 average. He's not always a viable option against left-handed pitchers, but he did have a .355 wOBA against righties last year and will be facing one in Fernando Romero.
