This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Eight games await Saturday's main slate, and we have the same number of double-digit pitchers as we saw yesterday. The difference is the top to arms are in absolute smash spots. I'll omit Corbin Burnes ($11,200) and Lance Lynn ($10,300) from this write up, but not from lineups. The matchups are great and we should expect heavy usage, rightfully so, as such.
Pitching
Lance McCullers, HOU vs. ARI ($9,900): McCullers profiles almost as successfully as the top two arms and comes at a reasonable discount. He's gone for 40+ FDP in consecutive outings and at least 29 in five of his last six. The matchup couldn't be softer, with Arizona having a league-low .291 wOBA and 79 wRC+, while fanning 24.8 percent of the time. 4x isn't a guarantee, but if McCullers fails to get there, it would be a disappointment.
Aaron Nola, PHI vs. NYM ($8,300): The name paired with a reduced price are going to draw attention, and I'm in despite Nola's current form. He's allowed four runs across 14.0 innings against the Mets to date, fanning 15 while not allowing a homer. The Phils offense is surging, which should lead to run support and a quality start.
Kris Bubic, KC vs. SEA ($7,200): There aren't many clear pay downs Saturday evening, and Bubic comes with plenty of volatility, not earning a quality start in his last four outings. But that's a product of inefficiency and inability to work deep, as he's allowed just two runs or less in four of his last five starts and five of seven. Pair that with the Mariners' 25.3 percent K rate against lefties, a .296 wOBA and 90 wRC+, and there's at least a statistical path to a return.
Top Targets
Bryce Harper, PHI at NYM ($4,500): There's little reason to not go back to the Harper well despite him only providing six FDP Friday night. He's riding a 13-game hitting streak that's seen him go yard seven times. He carries a robust .472 wOBA, 198 wRC+ and .385 ISO against righties. And the matchup couldn't be better, with Carlos Carrasco allowing a .404 wOBA and .966 OPS to righties at home.
Luis Robert, CWS at TEX ($4,100): Robert can produce at so many levels, he's a stable option with upside, which is all we can ask for as an anchor. He possesses 13 hits in his last seven, carries a .380 wOBA and 140 wRC+ against righties into Saturday and gets Spencer Howard, whom many are sure to stack against, having allowed 11 runs in his last 5.1 innings.
Value Bats
Brandon Crawford, SF vs. ATL ($3,300): The Giants did what they do Friday against Atlanta, launching four homers, one of which came from Crawford. He has a .401 wOBA, 155 wRC+ and .244 ISO against righties on the season and is riding a nine-game hitting streak. Braves' starter Charlie Morton has been vulnerable to the long ball the more times he goes through the order, so lineup position may be important here, but he usually works deep enough that Crawford should get three cracks at him.
Tyler O'Neill, STL vs SD ($3,200): O'Neil got things going for the Cards early last night, rocking his second homer in three contests. He leads a surging offense with a .363 wOBA and respectable .239 ISO against righties, and I don't want to shy away from this offense against an up and down Yu Darvish. Yes, he and Adam Wainwright absolutely could go toe to toe in a pitchers duel. But Darvish has allowed four runs or more in six of his last eight starts. O'Neil also has nine hits in his last six contests.
Stack to Consider
Royals vs. Yusei Kikuchi: Salvador Perez ($3,900), Adalberto Mondesi ($3,800), Whit Merrifield ($3,500)
I've been a staunch anti-Kikuchi guy all season, so I see no reason to stray in September. The Royals got him for four runs in five innings on August 26, and I expect they'll find similar success here before getting in to the Mariners bullpen. Perez is an automatic play against the lefty, mashing to a .420 wOBA, 168 wRC+ and .352 ISO. Mondesi has far less plate appearances, but goes .381/142/.333 and can alter games with his speed as well. The third piece isn't as obvious as the Royals' lefty splits aren't terrific. Give me Merrifield as a top of the order bat to get on base, but this can be altered based on your budgetary needs. Michael Taylor ($2,500) isn't an upside option, but for the price, he's been producing better than zero FDPs consistently.
