This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Despite only eight games making up the main evening slate on DraftKings, there are a lot of excellent pitching options to consider Saturday. Viable hitters might be a little more difficult to come by, but there are still a few stacks that stand out with potential. Let's highlight them and discuss some possible ownership percentages to consider while creating your entry.
Pitching Overview
Among the big names set to take the mound, the one who should be up there in terms of ownership percentage is Justin Verlander ($11,900). This might be his 15th year in the big leagues, but he's shown no signs of slowing down with his 2.38 ERA and 0.74 WHIP. His xFIP sits a little higher at 3.62, but he's a tremendous asset in the strikeout department with his 31.5 percent strikeout rate. He'll be facing an A's lineup that isn't as imposing with Khris Davis (hip) out, providing another favorable chance at a strong outing.
Zack Greinke ($9,200) doesn't carry the same strikeout upside that Verlander does, but he's having another excellent season with a 3.37 xFIP and a 0.88 WHIP. After a poor first start of the season in which he allowed seven runs to the Dodgers, he hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of his 11 starts since. With Robinson Cano (quadriceps), Jeff McNeil (hamstring) and Brandon Nimmo (neck) all injured, this is a great opportunity to deploy Greinke against a depleted Mets lineup.
With so many high-priced starters available, taking a chance on a cheap one could be a way to stand out in tournament play. One to consider is Jose Urena ($5,700), who will be starting against the Padres. While his inability to record strikeouts puts a damper on his upside, he doesn't give up many home runs and has registered a quality start in seven of his last eight outings. It should also help his cause that the Padres have scored the fifth-fewest runs in the league.
Key Values/Chalk
It's going to be hard to pass up a Rockies stack at home, especially with some of these matchups on the slate. They will be facing a pitcher in Marcus Stroman who has only allowed 0.8 HR/9 for his career, but he also doesn't miss many bats based on his career 19.3 percent strikeout rate. It's Coors Field, so expect the Rockies to be chalk.
Sticking in that same game brings us to the possibility of using the Blue Jays against Jon Gray. He's had some excellent starts this year, but he's also allowed at least five runs in a game four times already - including two of his last five outings. Their hitters aren't as expensive as the Rockies, which should also make the Blue Jays popular options.
Working ourselves away from Coors Field brings us to the Dodgers at home against Cole Irvin, who will be filling in for the injured Zach Eflin (back). Irvin previously made three starts for the Phillies, the first of which was stellar when he held the Royals to one run over seven innings. He struggled after that, allowing 11 runs - with 10 earned - over 10.2 innings against the Rockies and Cubs. The Dodgers represent another tough lineup who could give him plenty of trouble.
Stacks
Rockies vs. Stroman (Blue Jays)
Nolan Arenado (3B - $5,900), David Dahl (OF - $4,900), Daniel Murphy (1B - $4,800)
Stroman owns pretty even career splits against both righties and lefties, so don't shy away from Arenado just because he doesn't have the platoon advantage. He loves hitting at home and is 22-for-44 with four home runs during his current 11-game hitting streak. Murphy is also starting to show signs of life after hitting .359 during that same stretch.
Blue Jays vs. Gray (Rockies)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (3B - $4,100), Lourdes Gurriel (2B/OF - $4,500), Justin Smoak (1B - $5,200)
Guerrero has gone through some growing pains since being called up, but he's also shown plenty of flashes as to why he was considered the best prospect in the minors. The potential upside of him at Coors Field is too good to pass up if you're stacking Blue Jays. A stint in the minors has done wonders for Gurriel, who is 11-for-28 with four home runs and four doubles since being recalled. Smoak rounds out this trio with another bat that contains plenty of power.
Dodgers vs. Irvin (Phillies)
Cody Bellinger (OF - $5,800), Max Muncy (1B - $4,600), Corey Seager (SS - $4,300)
Not only does Bellinger sport a .369 ISO and a .487 wOBA, but he has more walks (34) than strikeouts (31) this season. Muncy has done his best to prove his breakout last year was no fluke, posting a .373 wOBA in the early going. His power numbers are down, but his .249 ISO is nothing to complain about. Seager is starting to turn things around after a rough start by hitting .333 with three home runs and three doubles in his last 10 games.
Marlins vs. Nick Margevicius (Padres)
Harold Ramirez (OF - $3,800), Brian Anderson (3B - $3,800), Garrett Cooper (1B/OF - $3,900)
If you want to pay up at starting pitcher, you'll need to find some cheap bats to help balance out your budget. The Marlins aren't normally a team to pursue, but they might be worth taking a chance on in tournament play. Margevicius hadn't even pitched at Double-A - let alone Triple-A - before this season and struggled in his first nine starts with the Padres by posting a 5.08 xFIP. His biggest area of concern comes from allowing 11 home runs over 45.1 innings. Ramirez has provided a much needed boost for the Marlins by posting a 146 wRC+ since being recalled from the minors. Cooper has also started to heat up, hitting 12-for-37 with three home runs across his last 10 appearances.
