This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
We're looking at another limited six-game slate for Saturday evening's main card, where the first game goes off at 7:05 p.m. ET. There's a higher average total than we saw Friday night, so offense should be a little more easy to come by. And as such, pitching feels overpriced, as there aren't many big names on the bump, but we're being asked to pay a premium.
Pitching
Julio Urias, LAD vs. WAS ($10,000): This looks like the one arm worth paying for Saturday. Urias was dominant in Coors Field in his debut, and, presumably, will get a still short-handed Nationals lineup. Washington has been solid against lefties out of the gate, but that's largely due to the Braves' left-handed heavy bullpen. This is a different beast. They are whiffing 27.7 percent of the time, and haven't scored across their last 16 innings.
Jeff Hoffman, CIN at ARI ($8,000): In all honesty, I'm struggling to find any angle on any arm not named Urias. Hoffman's ratios have come down in his limited time since he left the Rockies, but trusting him at this number seems crazy. That said, the opponent isn't a formidable offense, checking in at a meager .272 wOBA and 71 wRC+. Low usage is a safe assumption, and a 3.5x return would offer some roster flexibility elsewhere.
Chris Paddack, SDP at TEX ($6,900): Chasing a win here, but it seems a reasonable chase with the Padres a sound (-170) favorite. Paddack was bad last year; he was bad in his first start this year, but the Rangers are K heavy, whiffing 26.4 percent of the time against righties thus far. It's a reasonable gamble on a slate with limited options otherwise.
Top Targets
Ronald Acuna, ATL vs. PHI ($4,100): Acuna has been the Braves offense to date. He's making more contact that we've been accustomed to, seemingly has the green light to run when on and has launched three bombs in his last four games to boot. Mix in he's 4-12 with a long ball against Zach Eflin, and there's a bat to build around.
Mike Trout, LAA at TOR ($4,500): Labeling the top-priced bat as a target is too obvious, but Trout is in equally the grove as Acuna above. He's got nine hits in his last five games, including three homers. He's posted a wOBA north of .398 against lefties six times in nine prior seasons. Bats are never foolproof, but this is a spot where form and trends suggest Trout is as close as it comes.
Value Bats
Christian Vazquez, BOS at BAL ($2,900): Rare we'd want a catcher in our DFS lineup, but Vazquez smashes lefties, putting up a .372 wOBA in his last 215 plate appearances, tops amongst Red Sox regulars. There's no way I'm trusting O's starter Bruce Zimmerman, so if going contrarian and not stacking Red Sox, Vazquez looks to be the value play.
Trent Grisham, SDP at TEX ($2,500): This is a lazy selection, but Grisham is essentially a free square at this number. He's a leadoff hitter with capable power and speed, and is priced 1k down simply due to his absence from the first week of the season. There's no reason to not deploy, as no option at this tag has the upside Grisham possesses.
Stacks to Consider
Dodgers vs. TBD: Justin Turner ($3,600), Will Smith ($3,500), Max Muncy ($3,300)
The short-handed Nats have yet to announce a Saturday starter, but I don't believe that matters. We know they don't have a full plethora of choices and can ride this middle lineup stack to the house as a result. Not one option sits above the average price per position, and we've got a likely 3-4-5, mixed-handed go-to. Let's allow Mookie Betts ($4,400) and Corey Seager ($4,300) to set the table, and reap the run production at a discount from this trio.
Orioles vs. Garrett Richards: Anthony Santander ($3,400), Cedric Mullins ($3,300), Trey Mancini ($3,200)
Trusting O's bats for cash lineups isn't usually a winning strategy, but this is a plus, plus spot for GPPs to gamble cheap. We know the ball flies at Camden Yards, and the Orioles pounded out 17 hits against the Red Sox in Richards' last start. This 1-2-3 portion of the lineup accounted for 10 of those hits, scoring six times.
