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). With several day games on the schedule Saturday, only nine games will make up the main evening slate on DraftKings.
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STARTING PITCHER
Rich Hill, LAD vs. SD ($9,500): Hill was originally scheduled to start Friday, but he swapped places with Ross Stripling and will now start on Saturday. His 4.02 ERA and 4.18 FIP don't jump off the page, but he's done a nice job limiting baserunners with a 1.21 WHIP. He's also provided plenty of strikeouts with a 10.3 K/9, which would mark his sixth straight season with a K/9 of over 10. This is a great matchup against the Padres, who entered Friday with the fourth-fewest runs scored. They have also struck out the second-most times, leaving Hill with plenty of upside for your entry.
GPP Fade: Rick Porcello, BOS at CLE ($8,500): Porcello has had difficulty pitching deep into games lately, throwing 5.2 innings or fewer in five straight outings. He has struggled to a 5.26 ERA during that stretch, allowing five home runs over 25.2 innings. In his last start against the Indians, Porcello gave up five runs and three homers across seven innings. The Indians entered Friday with the fourth-highest OPS at home with a .791, so don't be surprised if Porcello gets hit hard again during their rematch.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Mike Fiers, OAK vs. MIN ($8,400): Fiers has been prone to giving up home runs this season, including allowing 2.1 HR/9 since joining the A's. Luckily for him, his 1.01 WHIP and 9.1 K/9 has helped him limit the damage and record a 3.09 ERA. He's allowed more than three earned runs in just one of his eight starts with his new club. The Twins have recently shown some life offensively, but 10 of their last 13 games entering Friday came against bad pitching staffs in the Royals and Tigers. The Twins also sit in the bottom-third of baseball in home runs, leaving Fiers as a viable option in tournament play.
CATCHER
Francisco Cervelli, PIT vs. MIL ($3,700): Injuries have forced Cervelli to miss a good portion of the season, but he's enjoying the best power campaign of his career with 11 home runs entering Friday. Although Cervelli doesn't have the platoon advantage against Zach Davies, Cervelli boasts a .359 wOBA against right-handed pitchers. Davies doesn't exactly overwhelm hitters, with an 8.4 percent swinging-strike rate and a 6.7 K/9.
FIRST BASE
Matt Olson, OAK vs. MIN ($4,400): Olson hasn't been able to replicate the torrid pace he carried through 59 games last year when he slugged 24 home runs, but he's still chipped in 27 homers and 32 doubles headed into Friday. Lefties have given him problems, but Olson has managed to post a .351 wOBA against right-handed pitchers and will face one in Chase De Jong who will be making just his third start with the Twins this season.
SECOND BASE
Daniel Murphy, CHC at CWS ($4,000): Murphy came into Friday 4-for-26 over his last eight games, but he broke out of his slump in style by going 3-for-5 with a home run in the first game of this series. With his .365 wOBA against righties, he's a great option at a reasonable price facing Lucas Giolito and his 1.43 WHIP.
THIRD BASE
Eduardo Escobar, ARI vs. COL ($4,200):Antonio Senzatela will start this game for the Rockies and he's had trouble keeping hitters off base this year, resulting in a 1.44 WHIP. He's also allowed at least one home run in four of his last five starts, which is especially concerning since three of those five outings came against weak lineups in the Giants and Padres. Escobar entered Friday with a .354 wOBA against righties and could be someone to target if you're not looking to break the bank at third base.
SHORTSTOP
Alex Bregman, HOU vs. LAA ($4,800): Bregman has taken his game to a new level this year, entering Friday with 30 home runs and 50 doubles. He's not just selling out for power numbers, recording more walks (91) than strikeouts (77). He'll be facing Jaime Barria in this contest, who has actually struggled getting righties out (.359 wOBA against) than he has lefties (.278 wOBA).
OUTFIELD
George Springer, HOU vs. LAA ($4,500): Springer entered Friday with just one home run in September, but also sports a .372 wOBA for the month. His overall numbers have slipped this year, but he's already recorded at least 20 home runs and 25 doubles for the third straight season. Considering Barria's struggles against right-handed hitters, Springer qualifies as another Astros hitter with plenty of upside.
Ramon Laureano, OAK vs. MIN ($4,300): With the way the A's are swinging the bats, they could be a very popular stack against De Jong. While Khris Davis, Matt Olson and Matt Chapman might be the flashy names in their lineup, don't sleep on Laureano and his .874 OPS before Friday. He's even had more success against righties (147 wRC+) than he has lefties (125 wRC+).
Nick Martini, OAK vs. MIN ($3,600): If you're looking for a really cheap bat to include in an A's stack, Martini might be your man. He hasn't hit for much power, but he entered Friday batting .295 with a .391 OBP. He rarely plays against left-handed pitchers, but boasts a .360 wOBA against righties.
