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). Some of baseball's top starting pitchers will be taking the mound Saturday, but there are also some good hitting matchups that you can take advantage of in DraftKings.
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STARTING PITCHER
Justin Verlander, HOU at LAA ($12,900): Verlander hasn't been as dominant as he was earlier this season, allowing 12 runs across 13.1 innings over his last three starts. He still struck out 19 hitters during that stretch and boasts an 11.8 K/9 on the season, leaving him with tremendous upside. He's also dominated the Angels in three previous outings, allowing two runs and recording 27 strikeouts over 22 innings. Don't worry too much about his recent struggles, as this has the makings of an excellent rebound performance.
GPP Fade: Corey Kluber, CLE at KC ($11,000): This is more about Kluber's price, not his matchup. The Royals certainly aren't an imposing offense as they have scored the fewest runs in the league. Kluber is also having another fantastic season with a 2.74 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. However, he's taken a step backward in the strikeout department with an 8.6 K/9 compared to his 11.7 K/9 in 2017. He has posted a 9.7 K/9 for his career, so this year isn't exactly that out of character for him. If you want to pay up for one of the premier pitching options on the slate, it might make more sense to go with Verlander.
Cheap GPP Consideration: German Marquez, COL vs. STL ($7,800): At first glance, Marquez might not stand out as a great option. He's been excellent with a 2.89 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP on the road this season, but sports a bloated 6.42 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP at Coors Field. However, he's pitched much better at home lately, allowing seven runs and recording 26 strikeouts across 19.2 innings in his last three starts. He's also allowed three runs or fewer in eight of his last nine starts overall. His 9.5 K/9 leaves him with plenty of strikeout potential, so it might be worth taking a shot on him in tournament play.
CATCHER
Yasmani Grandal, LAD vs. SD ($4,300): The Padres will start right-hander Brett Kennedy in this game, who has allowed 13 runs and five home runs over his first three starts in the majors. The switch-hitting Grandal hasn't hit well against lefties, but he's a viable option Saturday based on his .369 wOBA against righties entering Friday.
FIRST BASE
Ryon Healy, SEA at ARI ($4,100): Healy doesn't walk much, but he's still hitting for power with 23 home runs entering Friday. He's firing on all cylinders at the moment, batting .412 with two homers and two doubles over his last nine games. The Diamondbacks will start Robbie Ray in this contest and while he's still striking out a lot of batters, he's struggled to keep hitters off base with a 1.44 WHIP.
SECOND BASE
Jonathan Villar, BAL vs. NYY ($4,000): This will be the second game of a doubleheader for the Orioles. They'll face a tough matchup against J.A. Happ in first game, but the nightcap shapes up to be a much more favorable matchup versus Sonny Gray. Gray has allowed a ton of baserunners with a 1.55 WHIP this season, ultimately leading him to being demoted to the bullpen. Villar has at least one hit in eight of his last 10 games entering Friday and is worth consideration at this cheap price.
THIRD BASE
Alex Bregman, HOU at LAA ($4,700): The Astros have dealt with a lot of injuries to their star hitters this year, but Bregman has been their one constant. He's hit for plenty of power with 24 home runs and 38 doubles entering Friday, but what might be just as impressive is that he has more walks (72) than strikeouts (68). He'll face Jaime Barria in this contest and while Barria has a 3.41 ERA, his 4.58 FIP and 1.4 HR/9 indicate he hasn't pitched that well.
SHORTSTOP
Johan Camargo, ATL at MIA ($4,000): Camargo's numbers might not jump off the page, but he's helped lock down third base for the Braves by batting .271 with 13 home runs and 21 doubles entering Friday. He has stood out with a .359 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, bringing him into the discussion Saturday against Wei-Yin Chen.
OUTFIELD
Khris Davis, OAK at MIN ($5,100): Davis is on another one of his power surges, hitting five home runs in his last five games coming into Friday. And with 39 on the season, he's just one away from slugging at least 40 homers for the third-straight season. Left-hander Stephen Gonsalves will be making his second major-league start and even though Davis does have better numbers against righties, he hasn't exactly struggled versus southpaws with a .364 wOBA.
Mitch Haniger, SEA at ARI ($4,400): Healy isn't the only Mariner swinging a hot bat right now as Haniger entered Friday batting .349 with a .400 OBP in August. He's only hit two home runs in the month, but has recorded 10 doubles. Ray has had his problems keeping hitters off base in general, but he's been far worse against right-handed hitters (.359 wOBA allowed) than he has against lefties (.253 wOBA).
Trey Mancini, BAL vs. NYY ($3,600): If you're going to squeeze Verlander into your lineup, you're going to have to take some chances on really cheap hitters. With Gray starting for the Yankees, Manicni is someone to at least consider. Don't worry that Mancini doesn't have the platoon advantage in this matchup because Gray has actually struggled more versus righties, allowing a .358 wOBA against them. Mancini has also logged at least one hit in 13 of his last 15 games entering Friday.
