This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
As of submission time, Saturday's main slate features 11 contests, a higher number than usual for a weekend evening. And it appears to be a bit of an odd slate, with only one game checking in with a total north of 8.5, despite a steady group of arms.
All of this comes with the giant caveat that rain continues to be a factor along the East Coast; I pen this from Richmond, Virginia, where I haven't seen the sun since Monday. It should go without saying for savvy managers at this point, but please be sure to check game statuses prior to roster locks Saturday evening. The extra work could pay dividends and lead to some low ownership, high upside options.
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PITCHER
Nick Kingham, PIT vs. SDP ($8,600): The sample size is very small, but Kingham has out-performed this price, and his newness paired against a weak Padres lineup makes him an attractive target, despite the four runs allowed in 5.1 frames in his last outing. Kingham has fanned 16 over 12.1 innings, while San Diego strikes out 26.9 percent of the time against righties. That the Padres' lineup boasts a paltry .287 wOBA, 83 wRC+ and .117 ISO certainly helps fuel the fire.
GPP Fade: Sean Newcomb, ATL vs. MIA ($9,200): Newcomb simply hasn't figured out how to pitch in his home park. A year after allowing a 4.57 ERA at SunTrust Park, Newcomb has been lit up for seven runs over 10.1 innings at home thus far and can credit his current price to a favorable road schedule. He just faced the Marlins six days ago, and while impressive, the second consecutive look could work in the favor of Miami. A 94 wRC+ and .117 ISO from the Marlins won't scare anyone away, but their 20.2 percent strikeout rate won't lend itself for a high upside showing from Newcomb.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Fernando Romero, MIN vs. MIL ($6,400): Something is amiss about Romero's price in this matchup. There's an 8.5 run total, Romero has allowed only one run over 16.2 innings while striking out 20, and the Brewers bring a 24.3 percent strikeout rate and 96 wRC+ against righties to the table. This seems almost too good to be true.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Mitch Moreland, BOS vs. BAL ($3,300): I have no idea what to expect from O's starter Dylan Bundy, so while going with your stable, top tier Red Sox may be the right move, I'm also happy to take some secondary options and hope for the best. Moreland has demolished right-handers thus far, owning a .444 wOBA, 180 wRC+ and .319 ISO, striking out just 15.3 percent of the time in the process.
SECOND BASE
Gleyber Torres, NYY at KAN ($3,200): I'm all in favor of paying up for multiple Yankee righties against a scuffling Danny Duffy, who has allowed 25 runs over his last 26 innings and gives up a .417 wOBA to opposite-handed bats. Torres is about as far down as I'd go at the keystone, outside of maybe Brock Holt ($2,400), and offers a cheap(er) buy into a marquee lineup.
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez, CIN vs. CHI ($3,800): Suarez's numbers against lefties are so good, he's virtually impossible to not use Saturday. Yes, it's a small sample size (33 plate appearances) that isn't sustainable, but a .636 wOBA, 315 wRC+, .600 ISO and 1.616 OPS should cost double this price. Cubs' starter Jose Quintana has been far from trustworthy and is allowing righties to post a .379 wOBA against him thus far.
SHORTSTOP
Addison Russell, CHI at CIN ($3,100): Russell is a better cash option than GPP, as his upside was on display Friday where he managed a nice, but unremarkable, 27.7 points by way of four hits. By in large, you're forced to pay up at short on Saturday, but Russell's price offers a bit of relief. Reds' starter Sal Romano had a 4.91 home ERA and allowed a .343 wOBA to righties last year, suggesting he's due some regression from his current 3.25 ERA and .315 wOBA. I'd feel safe with most Cub bats Saturday.
OUTFIELD
Mike Trout, LAA vs. TAM ($4,600): The name, and the price, just don't match each other. The only reason I care about the fact that Trout was hitless in six straight games prior to Friday is because it lowered a $5,500 player's tag $900. This is likely the cheapest you'll see Trout all season, and a matchup against Sergio Romo shouldn't scare anyone off. Maybe this is a lazy pick, but it's enjoyable nonetheless to pencil in the league's best player at a discount.
Shin-Soo Choo, TEX at CWS ($3,200): All Ranger lefties are in play, heck any Rangers are in play against a struggling Lucas Giolito. He's been particularly vulnerable to opposite-handed bats, allowing a .403 wOBA to them while also surrendering a 13.89 home ERA. Choo has hit safely in five straight and has clicked in two games in Chicago, while also boasting a .344 wOBA and 122 wRC+ against righties while being $600 cheaper than teammate Nomar Mazara.
Travis Jankowski, SDP at PIT ($3,000): I'm not enamored with many sub-$3,000 bats, which leads me to Jankowski, despite a potentially challenging matchup with the aforementioned Kingham. Jankowski is in terrific form, hitting safely in three straight and in six of his last seven atop the Padres order, resulting in six double-digit scoring outings. He's feasted on righties, sporting a .453 wOBA and 195 wRC+.
UTILITY
C.J. Cron, TAM at LAA ($4,200): The Rays offense has come alive a bit over the last four games, scoring 26 runs , 15 of which have come in the first two games of this series. Cron has been right in the middle of that surge, homering in three of his last four games, and has been dynamite against lefties to date, posting a .454 wOBA, 193 wRC+ and .286 ISO.
