This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Baseball kicks off the holiday weekend with a packed schedule Saturday. Eight games will make up the main evening slate on DraftKings and there are some intriguing matchups among them to exploit. Here are some of the most appealing options that stand out.
Pitching Overview
The pitcher that jumps off the page as having the highest upside for this slate in Stephen Strasburg ($11,200) for his matchup at home against the Marlins. When healthy, he can put up extremely valuable numbers. That's what Strasburg has been so far this season, leaving him with a 3.29 FIP, 1.08 WHIP and 28.8 percent strikeout rate. He's already faced the Marlins three times this season, allowing four runs and recording 29 strikeouts across 22.1 innings.
Another pitcher set to take the mound against a weak lineup is Joey Lucchesi ($9,100). He'll face the Giants at Oracle Park, where they have only produced a 74 wRC+. Despite not being the sexiest of fantasy options, Lucchesi has posted respectable numbers with a 4.11 ERA and 4.02 FIP. His WHIP checks in at 1.17 and he's fared well in this homer-happy era by allowing just 1.2 HR/9. If you're looking to fade Strasburg, Lucchesi is at least worth considering.
The Rangers have received excellent production from Mike Minor and Lance Lynn, but the rest of their starting rotation leaves a lot to be desired. They have decided to give Brock Burke ($7,200) a chance to prove himself down the stretch despite him only making two career starts at Triple-A. He's quickly made a good impression, allowing one run across 12 innings over his first two starts. The Mariners don't present the most imposing of lineups and they have struck out the third-most times in baseball, leaving Burke as a viable option in tournament play.
Key Values/Chalk
The Rockies continue their home series against the Pirates, who will send the inconsistent Joe Musgrove to the mound. He doesn't miss many bats with his 20.9 percent strikeout rate, which could prove to be disastrous at Coors Field. Charlie Blackmon ($5,700), Nolan Arenado ($5,400) and Trevor Story ($5,600) are the big names to consider while Sam Hilliard ($4,100) could provide value at a cheaper price. He showed plenty of power in the minors and has already hit two home runs over four games since being called up.
The Pirates scored 20 runs over the first two games against the Rockies and will have a chance to keep things rolling against the inexperienced Tim Melville. Even though he has pitched well in his first two big-league starts, he had recorded a 6.59 FIP at Triple-A. Josh Bell ($5,700), Starling Marte ($5,800) and Bryan Reynolds ($5,600) are the top-tier options to target while Colin Moran ($5,000) and Kevin Newman ($5,500) should also be on your radar.
Tommy Milone is set to be the primary pitcher for the Mariners, making the Rangers a team worth considering. He's been prone to getting hit hard, allowing at least five runs in five of his last 10 outings. One was against the Rangers when he gave up six runs and three home runs over six innings. Left-handed hitters have actually performed better against Milone (.369 wOBA) than righties (.315 wOBA), so don't shy away from the likes of Shin-Soo Choo ($4,700) and Willie Calhoun ($5,300) just because they don't own the platoon advantage.
Stacks
Red Sox vs. Dillon Peters (Angels)
J.D. Martinez (OF - $5,400), Xander Bogaerts (SS - $5,400), Christian Vazquez (C - $4,000)
The Angels will send another subpar lefty to the mound in Peters, who enters with a 4.50 ERA and an even worse 5.69 FIP. He's also allowed 10 home runs over 46 innings, which could be his undoing against the powerful duo of Martinez and Bogaerts. Vazquez represents one of the top options for the catcher spot based on his .362 wOBA versus lefties.
Nationals vs. Pablo Lopez (Marlins)
Anthony Rendon (3B - $), Juan Soto (OF - $5,300), Trea Turner (SS - $5,300)
This trio certainly won't be cheap, but their upside is off the charts. Lopez has posted a shiny 2.56 FIP and 0.89 WHIP at home, but has looked awful on the road with a 5.28 FIP and a 1.46 WHIP. Rendon and Soto both carry more power potential, but Turner has turned up the heat of late by hitting .338 with three home runs, four doubles and four steals over his last 16 games.
Orioles vs. Jorge Lopez (Royals)
Trey Mancini (1B/OF - $4,500), Jonathan Villar (2B/SS - $5,100), Anthony Santander (OF - $4,300)
Lopez has bounced between the bullpen and starting rotation, but he'll get another turn as a starter against the Orioles. He's mostly struggled, leaving him with a 5.33 FIP and a 1.52 WHIP while also allowing 1.8 HR/9, which fits right into Mancini's wheelhouse. Santander has provided a boost to the Orioles' lineup since being called up from the minors, recording a .343 wOBA across 73 games. This could even be a spot to consider DJ Stewart ($3,400), who has gone 14-for-33 with four doubles across his last 10 games.
