This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Saturday night's main slate features 11 games, a robust offering for an evening that typically offers just half of that on the heels of a plethora of day games. It's a top-heavy pitching slate coming out of the All-Star break, putting salary allocation on the bump at the forefront of your strategy for the evening. So will weather, as humid conditions on the east look like the potential for havoc.
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PITCHER
Vince Velasquez, PHI vs. SDP ($8,300): Lock and load all arms priced above Velasquez, save for maybe Arizona's Zack Godley ($8,700), as they all offer big potential, with Justin Verlander's sub-$12,000 price even being attractive. Velasquez has been far from consistent, but he sports a 30.4 percent strikeout rate at home, while San Diego counters with the league's worst stats against righties, going for a mere .286 wOBA, 81 wRC+ and .122 ISO, while also fanning 25.9 percent of the time.
GPP Fade: Clayton Kershaw, LAD at MIL ($10,700): After just loosely endorsing Kershaw above, let's fade him! The matchup is promising, as Milwaukee hits lefties to only a .292 wOBA and 92 wRC+. And while Kershaw has allowed three runs or less in seven straight, his ability to work deep paired with a dwindling strikeout rate, don't justify him as the slate's second highest priced pitcher. He's seemingly priced on name more than anything, and you seem just as likely to get similar numbers from Madison Bumgarner for $1,200. In summary, love the matchup, like the player, hate the price relative to others.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Felix Hernandez, SEA vs. CWS ($7,700): The price is almost enough to scare me off as opposed to suggesting a cheap GPP option, but maybe King Felix gets lots in the shuffle on this slate. It's clearly a positive matchup, as the Mariners are huge home favorites, while the White Sox carry just a .307 wOBA, 94 wRC+ while striking out 25.4 percent of the time. Hernandez is very unlikely to work deep, and the play here is all about the win potential and matchup, not at all on Felix's current form. That still sets up for 30 point potential.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Evan Gattis, HOU at LAA ($2,300): Gattis brings power or goose egg likelihood, making him the perfect tournament play, while his price also allows you to pay for a top arm. He has a .236 ISO against righties, adding a 47.7 percent fly ball rate and 40.8 percent hard hit rate. He'll square off against Nick Tropeano, who has a 6.12 home ERA, where he's allowing a .394 wOBA to same-handed bats.
SECOND BASE
Cesar Hernandez, PHI vs. SDP ($3,100): Hernandez went into the All Star break with a 22.5 performance, and came out last night with 25.4 points, giving him five RBI, two runs, and two extra base hits in as many games. He's a cheaper buy into a clicking Phillies lineup that faces Luis Perdomo, who surrenders a .441 wOBA to lefties and has allowed five or more runs in three of his last four starts.
THIRD BASE
Kyle Seager, SEA vs. CWS ($3,200): All Mariners bats are in play against Dylan Covey, but Seager may be the one overlooked, giving him tournament upside. His splits against righties (.285 wOBA, 82 wRC+) aren't great, but his .199 ISO gives power potential. Mix in Covey's 7.90 road ERA, where he allows a .408 wOBA to lefties, and there's something to work with here.
SHORTSTOP
Jorge Polanco, MIN at KAN ($3,200): Seattle and Minnesota figure to be popular offenses to target, so let's continue with another contrarian buy in for those units. Polanco went into the break having hit safely in six straight and in 11 of his 14 games this season, posting 9.2 fantasy points in four of his last six. It's just 42 at bats, but he's boasting a .431 wOBA and 176 wRC+ against lefties. His spot at the bottom of the order isn't ideal, and Eddie Rosario ($3,700) and Eduardo Escobar ($3,300) are better bets, but Polanco's form offers value at a feast or famine position.
OUTFIELD
Michael Brantley, CLE at TEX ($3,900): Grabbing at least one Indian bat against Bartolo Colon seems prudent. Brantley checks in at a discount from Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez, and brings a .385 wOBA and 144 wRC+ to the docket, along with some savings.
Gregory Polanco, PIT vs. CIN ($3,500): At worst, Polanco will hit in a run-producing spot in the Pirates lineup against a vulnerable Anthony DeSclafani, who has a 5.46 home ERA, while Polanco carries a .348 wOBA and .217 ISO against righties into Saturday. At best, Polanco is a guy who homered in three straight leading into the All-Star break, while hitting safely in 15 of his last 18 games entering Friday.
Ronald Acuna, ATL at WAS ($3,000): The price here looks likely to skyrocket following Acuna's Friday night showing. He was moved into the two-hole prior to the break and led off Friday, a move that looked like pure brilliance. The potential absence of Ozzie Albies could lead to less pitches in the zone, but Acuna is starting to flash, and his .323 wOBA beforehand against lefties wasn't anything to scoff at. Nats' starter Gio Gonzalez is allowing a .352 wOBA to righties at home.
UTILITY
Anthony Rendon, WAS vs. ATL ($4,100): Rendon hits lefties well, currently owning a team-best .411 wOBA, 159 wRC+ and .308 ISO amongst Nats' regulars. He'll face a vulnerable Sean Newcomb, who has labored through his recent appearances. In three July starts prior to the break, he allowed a .446 wOBA to righties, also allowing a 7.64 xFIP while only fanning 12.5 percent of those he faced.
