This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
The Saturday evening contest only consists of five games, but we can find plenty of value arms and bats to generate an edge on the field.
Pitchers
It may seem obvious, but prospective poolies need to seriously consider Julio Urias ($10,000) on a short slate. Not only has he logged a tidy 3.03 ERA in 10 starts this year, but he wields the most effective curveball in the league by a wide margin (10.3 RAA). This should come in handy against the Giants, who sit just outside the bottom-10 as an offense against the bender this season.
Taijuan Walker ($8,600) looked downright unhittable prior to landing on the injured list with tightness in his left side compiling a 2.05 ERA over 44 innings (eight starts). While his 4.11 xFIP suggests this level of run prevention won't continue, it should be noted this hot start has coincided with a one-mile-per-hour increase in his fastball velocity (94.4). The Braves have been tough on right-handed pitchers this season, but it's rare to find a pitcher who's been this effective at such a low salary.
Mike Foltynewicz ($5,900) certainly hasn't been perfect, but it's a bit strange to see him with the second-lowest salary among pitchers. Rough outings against clubs like the Astros and Yankees have worked to inflate his ERA, but the 29-year-old has posted at least 14 DraftKings points in five of his 10 outings to begin the season. Foltynewicz should at least be able to hit that mark against the Mariners, who enter the contest sporting a .285 wOBA against right-handed pitching.
Top Hitters
Nolan Arenado ($5,500) has done his best work against southpaws in 2021, but he hasn't exactly been an easy out when facing same-handed pitchers having notched a .239 ISO and 33 percent hard contact rate across 163 at-bats. Seth Frankoff threw the ball reasonably well in Korea, but mediocre minor league numbers seem to be a better indicator for his prowess at this level as he's been torched for seven runs in 8.2 frames (two starts).
Logan Webb has done decently overall, but has stumbled against left-handed hitters with a .525 slugging percentage and .409 wOBA from 18.2 innings. Max Muncy ($5,500) has hit against righties and left-handers, resulting in a .277/.444/.528 slash line in 159 at-bats.
While Brett Anderson has been hit hardest by lefties in 2021, he's also struggled against righties allowing a .449 slugging percentage and a 40 percent hard contact rate over 26 innings. Trea Turner ($5,600) seems intent on proving his breakout offensive year in 2020 had nothing to do with small sample size. The 27-year-old has enjoyed plenty of success against southpaws by logging a .308 ISO and .491 wOBA against them in 39 at-bats.
Bargain Bats
It may be just 22 plate appearances, but Manny Pina ($3,100) has absolutely crushed left-handed pitching this year with three homers and five walks. This makes him worth a shot against Jon Lester, who has allowed a .514 slugging percentage and .383 on-base percentage against righty hitters.
Adam Wainwright has struggled mightily on the road this season by allowing a .600 slugging percentage and .394 on-base percentage across 13.2 innings (66 batters faced). Josh Rojas ($3,900) has shown moderate power against right-handed pitchers this year, but shows up on our radar thanks to the .375 wOBA against orthodox hurlers in 116 at-bats.
Justin Dunn has done well to limit runs in 2021, but an astronomically high walk rate has contributed to a 5.97 xFIP against lefty hitters in 21.1 innings. Nate Lowe ($3,700) has hit the ball well against righties (.205 ISO, .354 wOBA) and holds a robust 43 percent hard contact rate over 117 frames.
Stacks to Consider
Cardinals against Seth Frankoff: Nolan Arenado ($5,500), Paul Goldschmidt ($4,000), Tyler O'Neill ($3,400)
We would be looking to stack against Frankoff with any number of different lineups, but are fortunate we have a powerful offense like the Cardinals to pick through. This allows us to find low-cost gems like O'Neill, who has posted a .326 ISO and .371 wOBA against righty arms in 89 at-bats.
Dodgers against Logan Webb: Max Muncy ($5,500), Gavin Lux ($4,600), Matt Beaty ($2,900)
Our low-cost option here isn't as powerful as our previous stack, but Beaty does carry a .371 wOBA against righties in 70 at-bats. He should provide a nice compliment to Muncy and Lux, the latter coming in with a 35 percent hard contact rate against right-handers across 105 at-bats.
