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 lot of early start times Saturday, leaving just eight games to choose from for the main evening slate on DraftKings.
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STARTING PITCHER
German Marquez, COL at SF ($12,000): Marquez has been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball since the All-Star break. Over his last nine starts, he has a 2.13 ERA that is supported by a 2.07 FIP. He's also posted a 0.90 WHIP and an 11.8 K/9 during that stretch. He's struck out at least 10 batters in a game four times this season, three of which have come over his last three outings. One of those was an impressive performance against the Giants when he allowed two runs and fanned 11 batters over 6.2 innings. Considering the Giants' inability to score runs, don't hesitate to pay up for Marquez's services for their rematch.
GPP Fade: Charlie Morton, HOU vs. ARI ($9,800): Morton got off to a blistering start to the season, but has faded a bit down the stretch. He's pitched five innings or fewer in four consecutive starts, compiling a 5.03 ERA and 1.53 WHIP during that stretch. His 28.6 percent strikeout rate is outstanding for the season, but he's only managed a 18.6 percent strikeout rate across those four outings. He doesn't come cheap, so Morton might not be a risk worth taking based on his recent struggles.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Ian Kennedy, KC vs. MIN ($6,200): Making his first start since July, Kennedy held these same Twins to one run and struck out six in six innings last Sunday. He threw 93 pitches in that game, so he doesn't appear to have any restrictions heading down the stretch. His overall numbers aren't great this year, but some of that has to do with the fact he allowed 17 runs over seven innings in two horrific starts. The Twins entered Friday averaging 3.4 runs over their last 10 games and own the seventh-worst OPS on the road in baseball at .675, making Kennedy a tournament option to consider at this cheap price.
CATCHER
Francisco Cervelli, PIT at MIL ($3,800): Cervelli hasn't been able to stay healthy throughout his career, never playing in more than 130 games in a season. This year has been no different, with Friday marking his 95th appearance of 2018. Even with limited playing time, he's set new career bests in home runs (11) and RBI (51). He doesn't have the platoon advantage against Zach Davies on Saturday, but Cervelli actually boasts a higher wOBA against right-handed pitchers (.366) than he does against lefties (.329).
FIRST BASE
Eric Hosmer, SD vs. TEX ($4,500): Hosmer entered 2018 having played at least 158 games in three straight seasons, and has upheld his ironman reputation with 142 games played entering Friday. His first season with the Padres has hardly been a smashing success, as the .251 average and .315 OBP will confirm. He's managed at least one hit in five of his last six games headed into Friday and gets a great matchup Saturday against Ariel Jurado, who has a bloated 7.03 ERA and 1.66 WHIP. Jurado has even issued more walks (15) than strikeouts (14).
SECOND BASE
Adam Frazier, PIT at MIL ($4,300): Frazier was batting .239 with a .678 OPS when he was sent down to the minors in June. However, since being recalled on July 25, he's batting .331 with a .943 OPS before Friday. In those 40 games, Frazier has hit five home runs and 16 doubles. He also sports a .421 wOBA against righties since the recall, making him another Pirate to consider against Davies.
THIRD BASE
Travis Shaw, MIL vs. PIT ($4,200): Shaw entered Friday just two home runs shy of reaching 30 for the second straight year. His batting average has regressed to .240 after finishing 2017 with .273, but his 13.1 percent walk rate would rank as his highest career mark. He'll face Ivan Nova on Saturday, who has had trouble keeping hitters inside the park by allowing 1.5 HR/9.
SHORTSTOP
Eduardo Escobar, ARI at HOU ($3,900): Escobar has cooled off since being traded to the Diamondbacks, batting .251 with a .427 slugging percentage coming into Friday after batting .274 with a .514 slugging percentage with the Twins. However, he's succeeded against righties with an overall .354 wOBA for the season, and could provide value at this price if Morton can't rebound from his recent struggles.
OUTFIELD
Mike Trout, LAA vs. SEA ($5,700): I could go on for days with excellent stats on Trout. Despite playing in only 127 games entering Friday, he's already launched 33 home runs to go along with 23 steals. His .466 OBP is insane and would mark his fourth straight season with an OBP of at least .400. He's a great option against most pitchers, but he stands out in particular against Erasmo Ramirez and his underwhelming 7.0 K/9 for his career.
Daniel Palka, CWS at BAL ($4,700): Palka headed into Friday with a 33.4 percent strikeout rate, which is a big reason why he's batting .238 with a .288 OBP. He does have power upside with 22 home runs and has also fared much better against right-handed pitchers with a 111 wRC+ compared to a 74 wRC+ against lefties. This could be a matchup to exploit against Yefry Ramirez and his 1.56 WHIP.
Franmil Reyes, SD vs. TEX ($3,700): The Padres aren't great offensively, but they represent a stacking opportunity with upside in tournament play against Jurado. Reyes has done well against lefties, but may still be worth the risk without the platoon advantage in this matchup due to his .522 slugging percentage entering Friday.
