This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
The players featured in this piece will be building blocks who can work in several lineup configurations (cash and GPP). Saturday brings another packed schedule with 13 games making up the main evening slate on FanDuel.
For those interested, we've started an MLB DFS Slack channel for paid RotoWire subscribers. (There is a season-long one as well.) To join those channels, e-mail support@rotowire.com.
STARTING PITCHER
Jon Gray, COL at SD ($9,200): Gray struggled in his last start against the Angels, allowing five runs across 6.2 innings. He has a 10.0 K/9 for the season, but he recorded just one strikeout in that game. His 4.76 ERA this season doesn't look great at first glance, but his 3.43 FIP and 1.26 WHIP both indicate he hasn't pitched that poorly. The Padres have the fourth-fewest runs scored and the second-most strikeouts in baseball, so look for Gray to have a bounce back performance.
GPP Fade: Stephen Strasburg, WAS vs. MIL ($9,400): Strasburg allowed just two runs over six innings in his last start Phillies, which was by far his best outing since being activated from the DL. In his two previous starts, he had allowed 11 runs in 8.2 innings. Injuries have resulted in yet another disappointing season, limiting him to only 16 starts. His 4.15 ERA and 3.65 FIP would also both be the highest of his career. The Brewers' lineup is much deeper due to all of the trades they made and they are averaging 5.7 runs in their last 10 games, making Strasburg a risky play at this price.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Daniel Poncedeleon, STL vs. CIN ($6,300): Poncedeleon has spent the majority of this season at Triple-A where he had a 2.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 10.3 K/9. He'll make his third start for Cardinals on Saturday, which will be his eighth appearance in the majors. His first big-league start came against these same Reds when he recorded three strikeouts in seven scoreless innings. With his strikeout upside, Poncedeleon is worth taking a chance on in tournament play at this very cheap price.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Matt Carpenter, STL vs. CIN ($4,300): Carpenter went deep again Friday, bringing him up to 35 home runs for the season. He's hit 38 doubles as well, making him one of the better sources for power in the majors. He could prove troublesome for Reds' starter Luis Castillo, who has allowed 1.6 HR/9 and has struggled to build off of his excellent rookie campaign last year.
SECOND BASE
Joey Wendle, TB at CLE ($3,000): Wendle doesn't have significant power, slugging just seven home runs and 19 doubles. He still finds ways to be productive, though, with his .295 average and .345 OBP. He's been red-hot lately, batting .330 with a .495 slugging percentage in August. Shane Beiber will start for the Indians, which is great news for Wendle considering Bieber has allowed a .388 wOBA to left-handed hitters.
THIRD BASE
Brian Anderson, MIA vs. TOR ($3,200):Marco Estrada has been dealing with back soreness but will start for the Blue Jays. He's having another bad season with a 5.18 ERA that is supported by a 5.27 FIP. He's allowed too many baserunners with a 1.37 WHIP, which makes things even worse considering he has given up 1.8 HR/9. Anderson might not be a significant power threat, but this could still be a matchup to exploit since he doesn't cost much.
SHORTSTOP
Adalberto Mondesi, KAN vs. BAL ($3,000): Mondesi enters play Saturday with four consecutive multi-hit games. He doesn't walk much, but he's managed to hit .273 for the rebuilding Royals. He's shown some pop with six home runs, but he's also a major weapon on the bases with 18 steals in just 49 games. He might be worth taking a chance on against Dylan Bundy, who has allowed 26 runs (25 earned) over 19.2 innings in his last four starts.
OUTFIELD
Nelson Cruz, SEA at OAK ($4,100): Cruz's batting average is down this season at .266, but his .267 BABIP is also almost 40 points lower than his career mark. He still has 33 home runs, one of which just came Friday. Daniel Mengden will start for the A's for the first time since June and he doesn't have an overwhelming arsenal with a 5.4 K/9, potentially leaving Cruz with substantial upside.
Shohei Ohtani, LAA at HOU ($2,800): Ohtani is virtually unplayable versus left-handed pitching, posting just a 53 wRC+ against them. However, he has a stellar 178 wRC+ against righties. With righty Josh James making his first start in the majors for the Astros, Ohtani is a good target.
Kole Calhoun, LAA at HOU ($2,400): Calhoun has cooled off a bit from his torrid pace in July, but he didn't exactly struggle in August by batting .276 with a .345 OBP. He got off to such a horrible start this year that his overall numbers are a bit skewed, but he has a 190 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers since July 1. At an even cheaper price than Ohtani, he's another Angel worth considering.
UTILITY
Daniel Murphy, CHC at PHI ($3,900): Murphy's made a good first impression since his trade to the Cubs as he is 13-for-41 (.317) in his first nine games with the team. Zach Eflin will start this contest for the Phillies and he's had trouble with lefties this year, allowing a .362 wOBA against them. Add in Murphy's .369 wOBA against righties and he could provide significant production for your entry.
