This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Saturday's main slate features 10 games, an unusually high number for a Saturday evening, so players will be forced to hunt higher scoring totals with the larger player pool.
Pitching
Chris Bassitt ($9,500), surprisingly, is the highest-price arm. There's nothing to suggest a fall from grace is in store, with the Pirates boasting just a .298 wOBA and 84 wRC+. The price isn't too great for Bassitt's form, and this certainly sets up to be a spot where you don't question Bassitt's run and simply enjoy it while it lasts.
Lefties Rich Hill ($9,400) and Patrick Corbin ($9,100) seem to have solid matchups. Hill faces a Padres side that is fanning 26.8 percent of the time against southpaws, while carrying only a .296 wOBA and 85 wRC+. Corbin looks like his price is down due to his last outing, a six-run over five-inning performance, and while the Phillies lineup is formidable and strike out only 21.3 percent of the time, they have just a .317 wOBA and 96 wRC+. Corbin has the makings of a bargain here, and is my preferred GPP play with the matchup name recognition keeping others away.
Jake Arrieta ($9,200) also looks sound, as the Nats come with just a .313 wOBA and 91 wRC+ while whiffing 25.8 percent of the time against righties. Simply put, there isn't a clear reason to fade any of Saturday's top arms, which seems to force paying up, as the second wave doesn't present as clearly.
Zack Wheeler ($8,300) comes at a discount thanks to his last outing, but is a low owned GPP option only in a difficult matchup against Milwaukee. Wade Miley ($6,800) is never a sexy option due to a lack of upside, and Houston is only a moderate favorite (-133), but the Angels rank 26th against southpaws with a .277 wOBA and 75 wRC+, suggesting there's some stability on the cheap.
Key Value/Chalk
Per usual, chalk starts where Coors Field is present. Kyle Freeland ($7,100) has peculiar early-season returns, as same-handed bats have a .418 wOBA against, but also a 31.0 percent strikeout rate and 2.26 xFIP, all due to a .588 BABIP. As such, secondary right-handed options like Wilmer Flores ($3,100) may be more cost effective than Eduardo Escobar ($4,700), as the LvL splits have to stabilize. Colorado will face Luke Weaver ($7,000), who has been at times dominant as a strikeout arm. There's never a time to doubt Rockies' bats at home, but the safe plays are David Dahl ($4,300, .403 wOBA) and Charlie Blackmon ($4,200, .381 wOBA).
Pete Alonso is flirting with must-own status. He has a .595 wOBA and .654 ISO against lefties entering a matchup with Gio Gonzalez ($6,300). Gonzalez only allowed two runs over six innings in his first start, conveniently against the Mets, but Alonso had a triple and the rest of the Mets' early-season splits favor LvL matchups, which I'll avoid.
Texas-Toronto has a total of 10.5, so attacking from both sides seems wise. Stacking Rangers will be difficult due to price, but Elvis Andrus ($4,200) makes a lot of sense to pay up for at shortstop, owning a team-high .481 wOBA against lefties, adding a .203 wRC+ and .281 ISO. Joey Gallo ($4,500) saw a three-game homer streak snapped Friday but still has a .375 ISO against lefties, albeit with a 44.8 percent strikeout rate. The Toronto side is much more cost friendly, and we'll target them later in this column.
Houston will likely be a top cash game target for lineup stability against Trevor Cahil ($5,700). He's allowing a .498 wOBA to lefties, which jumps Michael Brantley ($4,000) and his .387 wOBA to the top of the list. Alex Bregman ($4,100) and George Springer ($4,400) also slot in well. The Red Sox present similarly against left Manny Banuelos ($6,000). J.D. Martinez ($4,100) is raking against lefties, with an unsustainable .655 wOBA, 324 wRC+ and .619 ISO. Xander Bogaerts ($3,900) and Christian Vazquez ($2,900) offer cheaper entry points to the lineup. Bogaerts has a .502 wOBA in this spot, adding a .400 ISO, while Vazquez, if in the lineup, carries a .438 wOBA and .423 ISO.
Stacks
White Sox vs. Eduardo Rodriguez (Red Sox)
Jose Abreu (1B - $4,000), James McCann (C/1B - $3,000), Jose Rondon (2B - $2,400)
Position eligiblity works against a White Sox stack. All options revolve around Abreu and his .386 wOBA. But Yonder Alonso ($2,700, .435 wOBA, 179 wRC+, .379 ISO) and James McCann ($3,000, .536 wOBA) slot in easily. Leury Garcia ($3,300) and his .367 wOBA make for a stable secondary option, especially in cash formats in a game with a nine-run total. Rondon has a .403 wOBA against lefties, and brings sound cost savings at a position we normally punt.
Blue Jays vs. Lance Lynn (Rangers)
Eric Sogard (2B - $3,900), Justin Smoak (1B - $3,600), Freddy Galvis (SS -$2,900)
Texas starter Lance Lynn has a 7.15 ERA and 5.28 xFIP at home, and while his early returns have been worse against righties, the Jays' left-handed bats have faired well against opposite handed arms. Sogard is too hot to fade in this spot, owning a .480 wOBA, 210 wRC+ and .324 ISO. Smoak hasn't really gotten going this season, but is still carrying a .372 wOBA and 136 wRC+, while Galvis is a cheap option who should hit atop the lineup and is third on the team with a .343 wOBA. At some point, you have to expect a breakout from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($2,700), and Rowdy Tellez ($2700) is also a GPP option for his power potential.
Rays vs. Dylan Bundy (Orioles)
Tommy Pham (OF - $3,900), Avisail Garcia (OF - $3,600), Yandy Diaz (3B - $4,000)
Bundy is being peppered by right-handed bats, allowing a .424 wOBA and 1.050 OPS. He's surrendered five homers to righties at Camden Yards in just 8.2 innings. This stack is largely chasing long balls, but that can offer some nice GPP upside if they hit. Pham is the exception, as his .187 ISO is offset by a .395 wOBA. Garcia and Diaz have more power potential, with ISOs north of .215, but lower wOBAs, and aren't ideal fits for cash lineups.
