This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
With only four early start times Saturday, we have plenty of options to sift through for the main evening slate on DraftKings. In addition to the DFS, there are some exciting series to enjoy - including the Indians hosting the Twins and the Brewers facing the Cardinals. Let's dive into the matchups and see which ones might be best to exploit.
Pitching Overview
One of the most dominant pitchers during the stretch run has been Jack Flaherty ($10,800). Across his last 12 starts, he's compiled a 0.80 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 95 strikeouts over 78.1 innings. And amazingly, Flaherty allowed no runs in seven of those outings. A matchup against a Brewers' team now missing Christian Yelich (knee) has the makings of a favorable opportunity for him to be successful once again.
Madison Bumgarner ($8,900) has once again been a rock for the Giants, recording a 3.80 FIP and a 1.12 WHIP. He's even increased his strikeout rate to 24.1 percent, which is over four percentage points higher than last season. Bumgarner should always be on your DFS radar when he pitches at home, which is where this matchup against the Rays will be played. While his 4.68 FIP and 1.36 WHIP on the road leaves a lot to be desired, those numbers shrink to 3.14 and 0.94 at home.
Flaherty isn't the only pitcher worth considering in the contest between the Cardinals and Brewers. Jordan Lyles ($7,900) has provided a stabilizing presence to the Brewers' starting rotation by posting a 2.51 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP across eight starts. One of those was a matchup against these same Cardinals by holding them to one run while recording nine strikeouts over 5.1 innings. At this price, Lyles could be worth a look in tournament play.
Key Values/Chalk
The Rockies will once again play at Coors Field, which should make them one of the more popular lineups to stack. They'll be facing left-hander Eric Lauer, who has already struggled with a 4.48 FIP and a 1.41 WHIP on the road. This is a prime spot to deploy the duo of Nolan Arenado ($5,600) and Trevor Story ($5,300), who boast favorable splits both at home and versus southpaws.
Staying in that same game, look for a few of the Padres' hitters to be included in a significant percentage of lineups. They will take their hacks against Peter Lambert, who enters with a 5.92 FIP and has allowed 1.9 HR/9. Left-handed hitters have a .416 wOBA against, making Eric Hosmer ($4,600), Nick Martini ($4,000) and Josh Naylor ($4,000) all viable targets.
Shifting gears to a different game, the Rays could be in line for a productive evening against the Angels. Jaime Barria has bounced between starting and following an opener, but he's expected to pitch the majority of the innings Saturday regardless of which role he fills. As if the 1.42 WHIP wasn't concerning enough, he's allowed a whopping 2.3 HR/9. That should leave Austin Meadows ($5,600) and Tommy Pham ($4,800) with significant upside.
Stacks
White Sox vs. Felix Hernandez (Mariners)
Jose Abreu (1B - $4,600), Tim Anderson (SS - $4,700), Eloy Jimenez (OF - $4,300)
The dismantling of Hernandez continued in his last start against the Astros when he allowed 11 runs - including seven earned - over two innings. He's now given up at least seven runs in three of his last six starts, making him a pitcher to target despite the White Sox generally struggling to score runs this season. Hernandez has allowed 2.3 HR/9, which immediately brings Abreu into the discussion. Jimenez has been swinging a hot bat lately, hitting .355 with five home runs and four doubles over his last 15 games.
Mariners vs. Dylan Cease (White Sox)
Daniel Vogelbach (1B - $4,100), Kyle Seager (3B - $4,400), Kyle Lewis (OF - $3,700)
There hasn't been much to be excited about with Cease, who enters with a 5.50 FIP and a 1.61 WHIP. His strikeout rate isn't anything special at 24.2 percent and he's looked wild, as his 10.7 percent walk rate will show. Left-handed hitters have a .393 wOBA against Cease, making Vogelbach and Seager two potentially dangerous foes. The youngster Lewis has immediately made an impact in his first four games by hitting 6-for-15 with three home runs and a double.
Giants vs. Robert Dugger (Marlins)
Mike Yastrzemski (OF - $4,400), Kevin Pillar (OF - $3,900), Mauricio Dubon (2B/SS - $3,400)
This is more of a stack to take a chance on in tournament play. It's difficult to imagine any of their players being included in a significant amount of entries, especially given their struggles to score at home. Still, Dugger recorded a 6.01 FIP at Triple-A this year and was lucky to only give up two runs in his last start since he allowed eight base runners over three innings. Pillar has quietly enjoyed a very productive season by recording 21 home runs, 11 steals and 80 RBI.
