This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Nine games await Saturday's main slate, with first pitch at a traditional 7:05 p.m. ET. It's simply a weird slate, where there's no clear must-haves across any matchup. As such, my advice is to trust your gut, get weird for GPPs and have some fun.
Pitching
Yu Darvish, SD vs. COL ($9,600): It's matchup versus form here, as Darvish has posted only 38 FanDuel Points (FDP) total in his last three starts. But he went for 30-plus in three straight prior and in five of six, with a 58 point ceiling. That's well worth gambling on against a Rockies side that he's been equally feast or famine against, going for 18 points twice, both at Coors, and 61 points against in Petco.
Kyle Hendricks, CHC at WAS ($7,600): Hendricks' talent leaves plenty to be desired, but there's at least a pulse. Following the last two days with the Nats' fire sale, what do they have left? It's Juan Soto and an otherwise Triple-A lineup. The starters against the Nats are going to see elevated prices sooner rather than later, so now's a time to enjoy where price hasn't caught up to the matchup.
Paolo Espino, WAS vs. CHC ($6,000): Same as above with Hendricks. The Cubs got rid of nearly everyone, leaving next to no pop in their lineup. Even prior to yesterday's sell off, the Cubs had only a .307 wOBA while striking out 26.0 percent of the time. Espino has piled up six strikeouts in consecutive starts while allowing just four runs across his last 15.1 innings (three starts), resulting in at least 24 FDP, so there's a clear path to at least 4x at a near minimal price for a starter.
Top Targets
Bryce Harper, PHI at PIT ($4,300): I liked Harper Friday, and it only resulted in a few walks; not ideal but at least a stable floor. We know he won't stay quiet forever, and his .419 wOBA and .297 ISO still profile favorably.
Joey Votto, CIN at NYM ($4,100): Let's be honest, Votto doesn't hit lefties well, posting a season-long .281 wOBA and .138 ISO. But Rich Hill doesn't usually work too deep into contests, so Votto likely has a couple of chances against the Mets pen. He's homered in seven straight games, launching nine total and is simply too hot to ignore. He's got 13 hits in his last eight games, so it's not just a power surge either.
Value Bats
Mitch Haniger, SEA at TEX ($3,400): FanDuel doesn't have a starter listed for either side, but MLB.com has lefty Taylor Hearn set to open, though he likely won't work more than a handful of innings, giving Haniger a shot against the lefty, followed by multiple cracks at the Rangers' limited bullpen. He's got a team-high .371 wOBA to start.
Jonathan India, CIN at NYM ($3,100): India hits leadoff, and has a .410 wOBA and 151 wRC+ against lefties. New Mets' starter Rich Hill has allowed three runs in three straight outings and in four of five, so the pairing should allow India to find his way towards 10 FDP.
Gavin Sheets, CWS vs. CLE ($2,300): Sheets is always in play when a righty is on the mound, bringing a .404 wOBA, 161 wRC+ and .349 ISO to the table. Cleveland starter Tristan McKenzie has struggled all season, carrying a 5.61 ERA and 5.15 FIP into this contest, allowing a .390 wOBA to lefties on the road to boot.
Stacks to Consider
Twins vs. Jake Woodford: Max Kepler ($3,700), Jorge Polanco ($3,500), Mitch Garver ($2,700)
Garver is an excellent solo building block, posting a team-high .444 wOBA, 186 wRC+ and .333 ISO against righties. Kepler and Polanco aren't cost prohibitive, with each bringing a .345 wOBA, at worst, to the table while Kepler's .277 ISO works for GPP upside. The real appeal comes from the .432 wOBA Woodford is allowing to lefties.
Cardinals vs. Bailey Ober: Paul Goldschmidt ($3,600), Tyler O'Neil ($3,500), Harrison Bader ($3,400)
Apparently I'm going with a game stack here, liking multiple pieces on both sides. The truth is it's just a vulnerable pitching matchup for both more than likely each offense. Ober has strange home/road splits against lefties and righties, so I'll trust the Cards' stats against righties more than his trends. Bader leads the way with a .370 wOBA, with O'Neil (.367) and Goldy (.354) close behind, while all have reasonable power expectations, with ISO's north of .201.
