This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
The players featured in this piece will be building blocks that can work in several lineup configurations (cash and GPP). Sunday is light on elite starting pitching options, so on DraftKings, there could be plenty of high-scoring games from which to stack.
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STARTING PITCHER
Aaron Nola, PHI vs. MIA ($12,400): Nola has avoided blowups this season, allowing three runs or fewer in all but two of his starts. He only allowed four each in the other two outings, so he wasn't even hit hard in those contests. That's led to a 2.35 ERA supported by a 2.68 FIP. He's done a great job keeping hitters off base with a 0.97 WHIP and he's only allowed seven home runs across 142 innings. In his two previous starts against the Marlins this year, he's allowed two runs and recorded 12 strikeouts over 13.1 innings. With the Marlins' inability to score runs, expect Nola to excel once again.
GPP Fade: Tanner Roark, WAS vs. CIN ($9,600): Roark already has 12 losses, but he hasn't pitched that poorly with a 4.37 ERA and a 4.21 FIP. However, a lot of his success came at the beginning of the season as his ERA entering the month of June was 3.38. He's also struggled with a 5.43 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP at home overall. He doesn't have tremendous strikeout upside with an 8.1 K/9, and he's the second most expensive pitcher on the slate, so it might not be wise to pay the premium required to make him part of your entry.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Danny Duffy, KC at MIN ($8,000): Duffy has issued 4.2 BB/9, leading to a bloated 1.48 WHIP. He's been prone to some significant blowups, allowing at least six runs in a game five times. He can also put up great numbers when he's on his game, though, as he has allowed one run or fewer in four of his last five outings. He's dominated the Twins in his previous three starts against them, giving up two runs and recording 17 strikeouts across 19 innings. Since the Twins entered Saturday with the fourth-lowest OPS against lefties (.673) in baseball, Duffy makes for an excellent option in tournament play.
CATCHER
Robinson Chirinos, TEX vs. BAL ($4,200): Chirinos entered Saturday batting only .224 in large part because of his 36.8 percent strikeout rate. The good news is that he's 16-for-51 (.314) with four home runs across his last 14 games. Although it's still high in the grand scheme of things, his strikeout rate was down to 28.3 percent during that stretch. He'll face Yefry Ramirez in this game, who has already allowed six homers in just 33.1 innings.
FIRST BASE
Jose Abreu, CWS at TB ($4,500): Abreu has never finished with a batting average below .290 in his career, but that streak might be in jeopardy due to his .267 average this year. He's doing his best to make a strong push down the stretch, though, as he is 19-for-47 (.404) with six home runs over his last 12 games.
SECOND BASE
Daniel Murphy, WAS vs. CIN ($4,300): Murphy has been limited to 41 games due to injury and has a .439 slugging percentage that would be his lowest mark since joining the Nationals. He's still managed to bat .295, and he has a .346 wOBA against right-handed pitching, making him a viable option against Luis Castillo.
THIRD BASE
Adrian Beltre, TEX vs. BAL ($3,800): Beltre entered Saturday with a .394 slugging percentage after slugging at least .521 in both of the last two seasons. He usually does a good job avoiding strikeouts, but he has a 20.4 percent strikeout rate this year. On the bright side, he's batting .338 at home and .289 for the season overall. If you want to save money at third base, he's someone to consider in tournament play.
SHORTSTOP
Tim Beckham, BAL at TEX ($4,000): With all of the struggles the Rangers have in their starting rotation, they are a popular team to stack against. Martin Perez takes the mound Saturday with an unsightly 6.50 ERA and a 1.97 WHIP. He's been unlucky considering opponents have a .376 BABIP against him, but he's not helping his cause by allowing 2.0 HR/9 and posting only a 5.9 K/9. He's allowed a .351 wOBA against righties in his career, making Beckham a cost-effective option with upside.
OUTFIELD
Ronald Acuna, ATL at NYM ($4,700): Acuna hasn't missed a beat since being activated from the DL, batting .286 with six home runs and eight doubles over 26 games entering Saturday. He actually has better numbers versus righties this season with a .377 wOBA compared to a .325 mark against lefties. Corey Oswalt will start for the Mets, and while his 5.27 ERA is already bad, it could actually be much worse considering opponents only have a .189 BABIP against him.
Jake Bauers, TB vs. CWS ($4,300): Bauers posted a .414 slugging percentage during his career in the minors, but he's shown plenty of power with a .492 slugging percentage since being called up. His .238 batting average leaves a lot to be desired, but he's posted a 13.4 percent walk rate. The White Sox will start James Shields, and even though he has shown improvement lately, he still hasn't been great with a 4.56 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.
Danny Valencia, BAL at TEX ($3,900): Although the Orioles dealt away two of their best hitters in Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop, stacking their right-handed hitters against Perez could pay off. Valencia had a meager .269 wOBA against right-handers entering Saturday, but he has a .382 wOBA against lefties.
