This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Despite there being a lot of early start times Saturday, we still have eight games to choose from for the main evening slate on DraftKings. There are several aces scheduled to take the mound and there are also some exciting stacks with plenty of upside. Here are some matchups to target while working your way through the options.
Pitching Overview
It's not hard to make a case to use Jacob deGrom ($11,000) in DFS whenever he takes the mound. He's rebounded from his brief injury scare to allow two runs and record 13 strikeouts over his last 14 innings. While he faced two easy opponents in the Reds and Padres, things will be even more in his favor Saturday versus the Marlins. Their lineup has been absolutely terrible, recording the lowest OPS (.595) in the league. If there was ever a time to pay up for him, this is it.
Another stud pitcher who should have a high ownership percentage is Gerrit Cole ($10,700) for his outing against the Rangers. He's off to another great start with a 2.56 xFIP and a staggering 37.2 percent strikeout rate. The Rangers have given him trouble in two previous starts this year, but it should be noted that both of those games were in hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington. With this game being played at Minute Maid Park, look for Cole to shine.
While there are a lot of big names at your disposal, don't overlook Anthony DeSclafani ($9,200). His 4.26 xFIP isn't all that great, but his strikeout rate has jumped all the way up to 28.6 percent. He also has a tremendous matchup against the Giants, who have the fourth-lowest OPS (.648). After allowing four runs (three earned) and recording eight strikeouts across six innings in his last start against the Giants, DeSclafani makes for an excellent option who won't destroy your budget.
Key Values/Chalk
Whenever the Rockies are playing at Coors Field, they are going to be a popular choice. They once again have dramatic splits, recording a .360 wOBA at home compared to a .280 wOBA on the road. Joey Lucchesi will be tasked with trying to slow them down in this game, which could spell trouble for the Padres since he allowed 1.6 HR/9 last year and has a bloated 1.44 WHIP this season.
Another popular team should be the Braves against Merrill Kelly, who is having a hard time missing bats with his 18 percent strikeout rate. He's also allowed seven home runs across 39 innings with a 1.49 WHIP, so it's not a surprise that his xFIP stands at 4.83. With all of the potent bats in the Braves lineup, expect them to put forth some excellent stat lines.
After dealing with a few key injuries, the Phillies lineup is currently the healthiest that it's been in a while. They have plenty of big names at their disposal, which should make them a popular team to deploy against Brad Keller. While he might be one of the better pitchers in the Royals' rotation, Keller is not an overpowering force with his career 16.7 percent strikeout rate and he's been lit up to the tune of a 5.01 xFIP this season.
Stacks
Rockies vs. Lucchesi (Padres)
Nolan Arenado (3B- $5,800), Trevor Story (SS - $5,500), Chris Iannetta (C- $4,100)
Lucchesi has been tough on left-handed hitters, holding them to a .274 wOBA for his career. However, righties have had far more success with a .343 wOBA. Arenado and Story both destroy lefties and dominate at Coors Field, so don't hesitate to pay up in order to include them in your entry. With catcher not always being the easiest position to fill, Iannetta is a great option to round out this stack, especially at his price.
Braves vs. Kelly (Diamondbacks)
Freddie Freeman (1B - $4,900), Ronald Acuna Jr. (OF- $4,500), Nick Markakis (OF - $4,300)
It's hard to find a more reliable option than Freeman, who is simply an on-base machine. He's been even more selective at the plate this season, recording a 13.4 percent walk rate to go along with a 16.9 percent strikeout rate. He's a great foundation to build a Braves stack around. Markakis has followed up his 120 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers last year with a 145 wRC+ against them this season, so he's also very appealing. Finally, despite not having the platoon advantage, Acuna is just too good to pass up based on Kelly's struggles to prevent base runners.
Phillies vs. Keller (Royals)
Bryce Harper (OF - $4,600), Rhys Hoskins (1B - $5,400), Jean Segura (SS - $4,500)
Harper's tenure with the Phillies is off to a bit of a slow start, but he's still be productive with a .237 ISO and a .365 wOBA. The good news is that facing Keller might help him improve on his career-high 29.6 percent strikeout rate. Hoskins is swinging a hot bat after hitting 16-for-49 (.327) with five home runs and five doubles across his last 14 games. Despite lacking the power upside that Harper and Hoskins have, Segura is also a great option who could be on base plenty ahead of both of them.
Mets vs. Sandy Alcantara (Marlins)
Michael Conforto (OF - $4,500), Pete Alonso (1B - $5,300), Jeff McNeil (OF - $4,500)
The Mets lineup hasn't been all that great to start the season, leaving them in the bottom third of the league in both runs scored and OPS. That might keep their ownership percentages down, but they are in a prime spot to be productive. After struggling last season, Alcantara has been even worse this year with a 5.31 xFIP and a 1.62 WHIP. Alonso brings the power to this stack while this could be just the matchup that Conforto needs to continue to break out of his recent slump and build on his 3-for-3 performance Friday. McNeil is also a great choice after hitting 16-for-40 (.400) with four doubles over his last 10 games.
