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). Games are spread throughout the day Saturday, but let's focus on the evening slate to see which players could provide value on DraftKings.
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STARTING PITCHERS
Kyle Hendricks, CHC at SD ($8,900): Hendricks endured a horrible month in June, posting a 7.03 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP across five starts. Normally known for his control, he walked 15 batters across 24.1 innings during that stretch. Even with that terrible stretch, Hendricks still has a 3.39 ERA and 1.21 WHIP for the season. He looked promising in his last start against the Giants, allowing one unearned run and recording eight strikeouts in 8.1 innings. He gets another favorable matchup against a Padres team that struggles mightily to score runs, making him a great option at this price.
GPP Fade: Clayton Kershaw, LAD vs. LAA ($12,900): Kershaw has finished with a K/9 of at least 10.4 in four straight seasons, but he hasn't been the same pitcher since returning from a DL stint due to a back injury. He's only allowed five runs across four starts, but he's recorded just 17 strikeouts over 20 innings. He's clearly one of the best pitchers in baseball when healthy, which is why he's priced so high Saturday. However, until Kershaw shows he can start racking up strikeouts at a high rate again, it might be wise not to pay up for his services.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Jon Gray, COL vs. SEA ($7,200): Gray has shown he can be a dominant pitcher when everything is going well, but he has struggled this season with a 5.77 ERA. His 3.11 FIP indicates he has not pitched that poorly, but his 1.49 WHIP certainly isn't helping his cause. Gray was demoted to the minor leagues, but will return to the majors after making just two starts at Triple-A. He's certainly a risky play, but provides tremendous upside based on his 11.6 K/9. He'll also likely dodge having to face Nelson Cruz due to their being no DH in this game, which is a big plus. If you are looking for a cheap option to take a chance on in tournament play, Gray might be your man.
CATCHER
Yan Gomes, CLE vs. NYY ($4,000): Gomes doesn't have flashy numbers, but he can provide value in the right matchup. He's got power with 10 home runs and 16 doubles entering Friday and his .251 average would be his highest since 2015. C.C. Sabathia will start for the Yankees, which is good news for Gomes since he sports a 185 wRC+ against lefties this year.
FIRST BASE
Ian Desmond, COL vs. SEA ($4,500): One of the more surprising success stories this season is that of Wade LeBlanc, who will start this game for the Mariners. He comes in with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP, both which are well below his career marks. He still doesn't strike out many hitters, with a 6.7 K/9 and his 4.24 FIP suggests he's been a bit lucky. This will be no easy task pitching in Coors Field and Desmond could be one of many tough outs since he entered Friday with a .384 wOBA against lefties.
SECOND BASE
Jonathan Schoop, BAL vs. TEX ($3,900): The Rangers are expected to activate Martin Perez to start this game, which will be his first appearance since April due to an elbow injury. He struggled with a 9.67 ERA, 7.92 FIP and a 2.37 WHIP in five starts before going down with the injury and normally has problems keeping runners off base with a 1.47 WHIP for his career. Schoop has taken a major step backward from last year, but he has gone 17-for-45 (.378) with two home runs and six doubles across his last 11 games entering Friday.
THIRD BASE
Nolan Arenado, COL vs. SEA ($5,500): Arenado has crazy home and road splits, entering Friday with a .476 slugging percentage on the road and a .714 slugging percentage at Coors Field. He also has a 226 wRC+ against lefties compared to a 100 wRC+ against righties.
SHORTSTOP
Javier Baez, CHC at SD ($5,300): The Cubs get an excellent matchup against Luis Perdomo, who has a bloated 2.10 WHIP in six starts. He's allowed 5.4 BB/9 and things would be much worse if he hadn't allowed just one home run in 26.2 innings. Baez has not experienced many problems against right-handed pitchers considering he entered Friday with a .372 wOBA against them, which is actually higher than his mark against lefties.
OUTFIELD
Shin-Soo Choo, TEX at BAL ($5,000): This is Choo's 14th season in the majors, but he finally made his first All-Star team. It is certainly a well-deserved honor based on his .290 average, .399 OBP and 17 home runs coming into Friday. The Orioles will be starting the inexperienced Yefry Ramirez, who sports a 3.93 ERA and a 4.00 FIP in four appearances this season. Lefties still give Choo problems, but he has a .411 wOBA against righties.
Andrew McCutchen, SF vs. OAK ($3,800): McCutchen's first season with the Giants hasn't been a disaster, but it hasn't been great either. His power numbers are down, with just nine home runs entering Friday. Cutch has also hit 22 doubles, but his 22.5 percent strikeout rate is the highest of his career. However, he does have a .345 wOBA against lefties and will face an underwhelming one in Brett Anderson, who hasn't looked spectacular with a 4.9 K/9.
Gorkys Hernandez, SF vs. OAK ($3,600): Looking for righties to stack against Anderson, Hernandez is another cheap option with upside. Not known for his ability to hit home runs, Hernandez entered Friday with a surprising 11 round trippers this season. He actually maintains better numbers against right-handed pitchers, but he's still someone to consider in tournament play based on the pitching matchup.
