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 a few early start times Saturday, but there are still 11 games to choose from for the main evening slate on DraftKings.
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STARTING PITCHER
Patrick Corbin, ARI at SD ($10,700): Corbin has taken his game to new heights this season with a 3.13 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP across 21 starts. His FIP is even better at 2.71 and he's only allowed 11 home runs in 129.1 innings. His 14.4 percent swinging-strike rate is by far the highest mark of his career, leading to a lofty 11.0 K/9. This is a great matchup against a Padres team that entered Friday with the third-fewest runs scored and the most strikeouts in baseball. In his first outing against them this season, he allowed two runs and recorded 11 strikeouts over six innings.
GPP Fade: Johnny Cueto, SF vs. MIL ($8,100): Cueto's 2.76 ERA looks great, but his 4.84 FIP and .227 opponents' BABIP suggests luck has been on his side. He's been a disaster in three starts since being activated from the DL, allowing 12 runs and seven homers while only striking out 12 over 17 innings. The Brewers struggle against left-handed pitching, but they have had much more success against righties. Until Cueto go can show signs of righting the ship, he seems like an unnecessary risk at this price.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Jhoulys Chacin, MIL at SF ($7,700): Chacin is quietly putting together a valuable season with a 3.58 ERA that is supported by his 3.89 FIP. He's not an overpowering pitcher with a 7.2 K/9, but his WHIP is just 1.23 and he has kept hitters inside the ball park by allowing nine homers across 120.2 innings. Chacin has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his last eight starts and is a great option to consider in tournament play against a Giants team that entered Friday in the bottom-third of baseball in runs scored.
CATCHER
Kurt Suzuki, ATL vs. LAD ($3,700): Suzuki hasn't been able to match the excellent production he provided last season, but he hasn't been terrible either, with a .264 average and eight home runs entering Friday. He'll face Alex Wood, who is having a decent year with a 3.87 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP, but he hasn't overwhelmed hitters with a 7.9 K/9. Suzuki comes in with a .344 wOBA against lefties and could be worth taking a chance on at this reasonable price.
FIRST BASE
Ian Desmond, COL vs. OAK ($5,200): Desmond is one of the few hitters on the Rockies who has actually hit for more power on the road than at Coors Field this season. He's always someone to target against left-handed pitchers, as his .398 wOBA against them entering Friday will show. He'll face a struggling one in Brett Anderson, who owns a bloated 1.72 WHIP.
SECOND BASE
Daniel Murphy, WAS at MIA ($4,100): Murphy's power numbers are down significantly, but he's 14-for-36 (.389) across his last 12 games entering Friday. Righty Trevor Richards will start for the Marlins and he's had trouble keeping hitters off base with a 1.46 WHIP. Murphy has managed a .353 wOBA against right-handers for his career, giving him an excellent opportunity to continue his recent run of success.
THIRD BASE
Brian Anderson, MIA vs. WAS ($4,200): Anderson has taken advantage of everyday playing time, entering Friday batting .285 with a .364 OBP. He only has eight home runs, but he's managed to slug 23 doubles. With his .366 wOBA against left-handers, he's worth considering against Gio Gonzalez.
SHORTSTOP
Trevor Story, COL vs. OAK ($5,800): Story has two major factors working in his favor Saturday. First, he's been a monster at Coors Field as he not only entered Friday batting .322 there, but 16 of his 20 homers have come at home. Second, he's destroyed lefties with a .416 wOBA, so Anderson could have plenty of trouble trying to get him out.
OUTFIELD
Juan Soto, WAS at MIA ($4,700): Although Soto was a very highly regarded prospect, it's hard to believe he's had so much major-league success this quickly. He's shown an excellent eye at the plate, helping him bat .308 with a .419 OBP entering Friday. He's also hit for plenty of power, with a .556 slugging percentage. With Richards' struggles to keep runners off base, Soto comes in as one of the better outfield options for the slate.
Kole Calhoun, LAA vs. SEA ($4,100): Calhoun couldn't buy a hit at the beginning of the season, but now no one can get him out. Although his batting average entering Friday was still an anemic .196, he's batting .300 with eight home runs in July. A matchup against Felix Hernandez would have been one to avoid in seasons past, but not this year considering his 5.14 ERA and 1.37 WHIP.
Nelson Cruz, SEA at LAA ($4,000): Cruz entered Friday with an uncharacteristically low .262 batting average, which would be his lowest mark since 2012 – although he's still hitting for power with 22 home runs. He'll face Jaime Baria, who has had trouble keeping hitters inside the park by allowing 1.5 HR/9. At this price, it might be worth taking a shot on Cruz going deep in this contest.
