This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
We only have two Saturdays left during the regular season, leaving us with few remaining opportunities to cash in on a full DFS slate. Let's break down the matchups on the docket and discuss some of the better options to consider for your DraftKings entry.
Pitching Overview
Despite a recent surge by the Indians, the Twins are still likely to come away as the winners of the AL Central. They have a favorable series against the Royals over the weekend that should help their efforts to reduce their magic number. Jose Berrios ($10,900) will be on the hill for this matchup and he's enjoyed plenty of success against the Royals this season, holding them to five runs over 14 innings. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise considering the Royals have scored the third-fewest runs in baseball.
The A's are part of a three-team race for the two Wild Card spots in the American League and will look to improve their chances against the struggling Rangers. They will send Sean Manaea ($9,800) to the mound, who has only allowed one run across 18 innings since being activated from the IL. He's also registered 21 strikeouts during that stretch, leaving him with tremendous upside when you also consider the Rangers own a paltry 81 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers.
While he's not the biggest of names, Wade Miley ($5,700) has been an important member of the Astros' rotation with a 3.71 ERA and a 4.42 FIP. His numbers would look much better had he not recently experienced a two-game stretch where he allowed 12 runs while recording only one out. However, Miley bounced back to allow just two runs over six innings against the Royals in his last outing. Even though he won't likely provide many strikeouts, he gets another favorable opponent here in the Angels, who have lost most of their best hitters for the season due to injury.
Key Values/Chalk
The Dodgers boast one of the most popular teams to stack all year, so don't expect that to change for their matchup with Chi Chi Gonzalez and the Rockies. While Gonzalez has strung together a few productive outings, he still sits with a bloated 1.62 WHIP. Left-handed hitters have recorded a .380 wOBA against him, so expect to see Cody Bellinger ($5,300) and Max Muncy ($4,400) included in a lot of entries.
It's been a rough season for the Angels, who have mostly had to cobble together their starting rotation as they moved along. Patrick Sandoval will take the mound against the Astros. And while his 4.91 ERA looks bad, his 3.76 FIP is a bit more encouraging. Still, the Astros have some hitters who mash left-handed pitchers, including Jose Altuve ($4,900) and Alex Bregman ($4,900), who come in with a 189 wRC+ and a 186 wRC+, respectively, against them.
The Brewers have shown plenty of resilience since Christian Yelich (knee) went down and still find themselves in the thick of the playoff hunt. They will look to keep things rolling against the Pirates, who have completely fallen apart of late. James Marvel will be making his third start for the team after he was lit up for seven runs across four innings against the Cubs in his last outing. His 21.6 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A isn't exactly encouraging for his projection moving forward. Among the enticing options on the Brewers is Mike Moustakas ($4,700), who has launched four home runs over his last 10 games.
Stacks
Twins vs. Glenn Sparkman (Royals)
Nelson Cruz (OF - $5,500), Jorge Polanco (SS - $4,700), Miguel Sano (3B - $5,100)
Sparkman possesses very poor numbers in general, but he's been especially bad with an 8.03 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP over his last 10 starts. That included a matchup against these same Twins, who touched him up for six runs over 4.2 innings. Another important stat of Sparkman's is that he has allowed 2.1 HR/9. That could end up being his downfall against this powerful trio.
Athletics vs. Brock Burke (Rangers)
Marcus Semien (SS - $5,200), Matt Chapman (3B - $4,000), Ramon Laureano (OF - $4,600)
Burke can't be happy to see the A's again since they scored six runs against him across three innings in his last outing. After posting three strong starts out of the gate, Burke has now allowed exactly six runs in back-to-back outings. He had only made two starts above Double-A before being called up, but the Rangers didn't have much of a choice but to summon him to the majors given their limited options. Semien is having a breakout offensive season and has been especially hot down the stretch, hitting .378 with five home runs and three doubles over his last 10 games.
Mariners vs. Asher Wojciechowski Orioles)
Kyle Lewis (OF - $4,100), Kyle Seager (3B - $4,300), Shed Long (2B/OF - $4,300)
The Orioles will send yet another struggling pitcher to the mound in Wojciechowski, who checks in with a 5.38 ERA and a 5.49 FIP. Left-handed hitters have recorded a .383 wOBA against him, which make Seager and Long stand out as two viable targets. Long is also at the top of his game right now, hitting .378 with two home runs and two doubles over his last eight games. While Lewis doesn't enjoy the platoon advantage, it's difficult to pass him up since he has hit six home runs and three doubles over his first 10 games in the majors.
