This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
A reduced eight-game slate awaits Saturday evening, and pitching options don't appear fruitful, at least in name recognition. Not a single option is priced in five-digits, so even paying up means you'll have additional resources for bats. As this column evolved, the pitching options became a bit dire, as there aren't many in the middle to bottom tier that we can bank on to just give us innings, let alone more meaningful stats. I'd advise not to be bashful and target any of the top four or five guys, even if not mentioned below.
Pitching
Tyler Mahle, CIN vs. DET ($9,600): Mahle sticks out atop the pitching options simply based on matchup, as Framber Valdez, Julio Urias and even Joe Musgrove are in better form and can offer similar, if not more, upside, though in more difficult spots. Mahle gets a Tigers' side that fans 25.9 percent of the time against righties, and a .300 wOBA and .159 ISO shouldn't scare users away. I will note Mahle has been far more hittable at home, so there is some buyer beware here. Maybe it's such an obvious matchup, it behooves us to fade?
Reynaldo Lopez, CWS at KC ($8,100): This is another tough yet obvious spot. On one hand, the Royals rank 29th with a .293 wOBA, so we expect Lopez to limit damage at a minimum. On the other hand, they fan only 22.0 percent of the time, and Lopez isn't fully stretched out, having not worked more than five innings all year, clearly limiting upside. He's going to have to be darn good to return 4x here, but with limited options elsewhere, perhaps the discount and 2.5 to 3x is acceptable.
Kolby Allard, TEX at LAA ($6,300): The Angels offense isn't exactly targetable, ranking 11th with a .322 wOBA against lefties as a team while fanning just 22.0 percent of the time. But as noted in the intro, this pitching slate is void of innings eaters below the first five or so arms. Allard has gone at least six frames in five straight contests, giving up three or fewer runs five times. He posted 25 FanDuel points (FDP) against this lineup on August 4, and that certainly works for his tag.
Top Targets
Ketel Marte, ARI vs. SEA ($4,200): I targeted Marte Friday unsuccessfully, but we'll go right back to the well in the hopes of stability. His lack of a hit yesterday was just the fourth time he's failed to do so in his last 22 games. He carries a robust .512 wOBA, 223 wRC+ and .347 ISO against lefties, and I'm not buying Marco Gonzales as his price ($8,400).
Austin Riley, ATL at COL ($4,100): When Coors Field is on the docket, we know we want shares on at least one side. Riley profiles as the best option to me, carrying a .410 wOBA157 wRC+ and .258 ISO against righties into Saturday. He's also 4-of-7 with three RBI in the first two games of this series and has hit safely in eight of nine while getting multiple knocks in six of those outings.
Value Bats
Yasmani Grandal, CWS at KC ($3,500): Grandal has been borderline terrific since coming off of the IL, homering four times in six games, going 9-for-19 with five walks in the process. The walks are his jam, doing so at a 33.8 percent clip against lefties, which gives him a very stable floor. His .480 wOBA, 212 wRC+ and .357 ISO give him upside we rarely see at this number.
Darin Ruf, SF vs. LAD ($2,500): Ruf moves around the order but hits in the top quadrant and carries a .418 wOBA, .305 ISO and 166 wRC+ against lefties into Saturday. Sure, those are way above his career normals, and Urias isn't your typical lefty, as he's more an ace than a rotation filler. But at this price, Ruf doesn't need to do much to return 3x, and carries immense upside if he gets ahold of a pitch.
Stack to Consider
Reds vs. Matthew Boyd: Nick Castellanos ($4,400), Jonathan India ($3,700), Kyle Farmer ($3,000)
Boyd may not last long in his second start back from injury, either from not being stretched out or from being knocked around, as we're hoping. Castellanos anchors, and brings a .391 wOBA, 143 wRC+ and .256 ISO. India has an identical .391 wOBA and 143 wRC+, but less power at a .157 ISO, but we can live with that, as he sets the table in front of Castellanos. Farmer gives us a cheap third option, and his .361 wOBA against lefties is better than most of the Reds' bigger names. He also gives us a bit of position flexibility.
