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 no shortage of elite pitchers in action Saturday with Corey Kluber, Luis Severino, James Paxton, Charlie Morton and Blake Snell all scheduled to pitch in the afternoon slate on DraftKings.
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STARTING PITCHERS
Luis Severino, NYY at TOR ($13,000): Severino had a breakout campaign for the Yankees last year, but has performed even better this season with a 1.98 ERA and a 2.24 FIP. He's done a tremendous job limiting baserunners with a 0.95 WHIP and his 12.9 percent swinging-strike rate has helped him to a 10.5 K/9. His average fastball velocity is 98.2 mph, which is something he is able to maintain even in the later innings. Severino has already faced the Blue Jays twice this season, holding them to one run and recording 13 strikeouts in 12.2 innings. Start him with confidence.
GPP Fade: J.A. Happ, TOR vs. NYY ($9,400): The Jays are clearly going to be sellers as the trade deadline approaches, so it wouldn't be surprising if Happ is ultimately dealt. He has quietly finished with an ERA of 3.61 or lower and a FIP of 3.96 or lower in each of the last three seasons. He's pitched well again this year with a 4.03 ERA and a 3.64 FIP, in large part due to keeping runners off base with his 1.11 WHIP. He also claims a 26.3 percent strikeout rate, which would be the highest mark of his career. The problem lies in the fact a lot of great pitching options exist and Happ has to face a tough lineup in the Yankees, making him a risky option at this price.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Carlos Martinez, STL at SF ($8,100): Martinez missed almost a month earlier this season due to a lat injury and has slowly been trying to work his way back into form. It was rough going in the first few starts back, but he has settled down to allow four runs and record 15 strikeouts over 12 innings over his last two outings. Those starts came against the Indians and Diamondbacks, so he didn't exactly take advantage of two bad offenses. Martinez will get a much easier opponent in the Giants, who entered Friday in the bottom-third of the league in runs scored and ranked sixth in strikeouts.
CATCHER
Wilson Ramos, TB at NYM ($3,700): Ramos has already played more games this season than he did all of last year. His improved health has led to significant production, as he's batting .287 with 12 home runs. Ramos sports an excellent .381 wOBA against left-handed pitching, making him a viable option at this reasonable price against Steven Matz.
FIRST BASE
John Hicks, DET vs. TEX ($3,500): Hicks is likely locked into significant playing time with Miguel Cabrera (biceps) out for the season and the Tigers in the midst of a rebuild. He's taken full advantage of his opportunity, going 12-for-35 (.343) with two home runs in his last 10 games. Hicks has impressed with an impressive 169 wRC+ against lefties and will face one Saturday in Cole Hamels.
SECOND BASE
Rougned Odor, TEX at DET ($3,800): Odor hit at least 30 home runs in each of the last two seasons, but he's experienced a major power outage with only four home runs this year. His batting average is still low at .229, but Odor has made up some ground lately by hitting 10-for-37 (.270) with two homers in his last 10 games. He'll face Mike Fiers in this contest, who gives up a lot of home runs and has a 4.69 FIP to go along with just a 6.6 K/9.
THIRD BASE
Matt Carpenter, STL at SF ($5,300): Carpenter is riding another hot streak, as he has gone 16-for-35 (.457) with three home runs in his last 10 games entering Friday. The Giants are going to activate Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) from the DL to make this start, which will mark his first since May. Carpenter has a .387 wOBA against right-handed pitchers and could give Samardzija plenty of trouble in his return.
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor, CLE vs. OAK ($5,900): Lindor recorded two more hits Friday to raise his average up to .300 for the season. It marked the fifth time in the last seven games that he has logged at least two hits. He'll face journeyman Edwin Jackson in this game and even though Lindor has better numbers against lefties, he doesn't exactly struggle against righties with a .382 wOBA.
OUTFIELD
Shin-Soo Choo, TEX at DET ($4,900): Choo doesn't receive a lot of press on a bad Rangers squad, but he's having an excellent season batting .291 with 17 home runs. He's also drawing a ton of walks with a 14.6 percent walk rate. Choo has hit righties well in his career and this year has been no different with a .406 wOBA against them.
Josh Reddick, HOU vs. CWS ($4,000): Reddick hit a career-high .314 last year, but was batting only .227 this season before hitting the DL with a knee injury. He's been a different player since his return by hitting .337 in 24 games. Reddick maintains a career .341 wOBA against righties and is worth considering against James Shields, who is pitching better this year but struggles with a 6.0 K/9.
Nomar Mazara, TEX at DET ($3,800): With all the excellent young talent coming up around baseball, it can be easy to forget that Mazara is only 23 despite being in his third major-league season. He hit exactly 20 home runs in both of his first two campaigns and is well on his way to passing that with 15 homers. Mazara has also made gains with his batting average despite walking less than he did in 2017. He also sports a .348 wOBA against righties as well, so don't sleep on him against Fiers.
