This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
A limited five-game slate is what FanDuel features Saturday night. Weather looks clear, pitching looks limited, and bats look plentiful.
Pitching Overview
Hyun-Jin Ryu ($10,600) is the only five-figure option in this limited slate. He's simply been brilliant, having allowed no runs in five of 14 starts, and no more than two runs in any outing to date. With so few alternatives, he's a cash game must and not cost prohibitive in GPPs. The Rockies are great against lefties and not just at home, but again, the lack of other solid options is going to force heavy ownership for Ryu.
Lance Lynn ($9,500) and Masahiro Tanaka ($9,200) are the only other pitchers priced above 8k. Lynn is a fascinating GPP target at a reduced cost to Ryu. He's been incredibly good lately, with a floor of 37 FDP and a ceiling of 58 FDP in his last eight starts. The ballpark factor isn't ideal, but the White Sox have only a 91 wRC+ against righties to go with a 25.8 strikeout rate. Tanaka presents less favorably, as we'd never advise targeting a pitcher against the Astros, who strike out only 18.2 percent of the time. Tanaka has fanned seven or more in three of four, and given the matchup, should come with low ownership. Maybe he's too obvious of a GPP pivot of the top three options.
I'm unlikely to look below Anibal Sanchez ($7,600) and Mike Foltynewicz ($7,700). Facing each other, they both have an unenviable task of shutting down potent and hot offenses. Folty is wild and inefficient, but has still been worth at least 18 FDP in six straight. Sanchez cannot overpower anyone but has at provided at least 28 FDP in four straight, striking out seven twice, once against his former Braves' mates where he was worth 49 FDP. Both are capable of providing upside for different reasons and are options in multi-entry formats. There is a 10.5 run total in place, suggesting neither will keep the opposition off the board.
Key Chalk/Value
Chalk = Rangers bats against Odrisamer Despaigne ($5,500) who has allowed 10 runs and 16 hits in 10.1 innings. I can largely regurgitate what I wrote for Friday's DK column, as the same Rangers are the targets that will surely come with sound ownership; Willie Calhoun ($3,300, .470 wOBA), Shin-Soo Choo ($3,700, .396 wOBA) and Danny Santana ($3,100, .394 wOBA) should all feature frequently, and the cost lends itself to a very easy and popular stack.
San Fran's Tyler Beede ($6,700) is likely to be a popular target against, and that's backed up by the 10 runs he's allowed over his last 15.2 innings. But a deeper look shows he's fanned 14 in his last 10.2 frames and has allowed one or two runs in four of his last six showings. He remains hittable but isn't as bad as casual players would think, suggesting a low-owned GPP play on Beede may be more beneficial than stacking Diamondback bats. This isn't an indictment on David Peralta ($3,500) or Ketel Marte ($4,000), both of whom are priced fairly, just a buyer beware.
Whichever side you favor between Sanchez and Foltynewicz is another spot to attack offensively. Folty has surrendered 15 homers over 55.1 innings, which makes Anthony Rendon ($4,500) and his .416 wOBA and .325 ISO attractive, while the .944 OPS Foltynewicz is allowing to lefties on the road makes Juan Soto ($4,000) a cheaper alternative. Sanchez has been vicitimized by lefties much more so than righties, so building around Freddie Freeman ($4,400) works well, while Ozzie Albies ($3,400) has swung much better as a lefty in June. Nick Markakis ($2,900) isn't preferred, but Brian McCann ($2,900) offers some savings if in the lineup.
Stacks
Yankees vs. Wade Miley (Astros)
Gary Sanchez (C - $4,300), DJ LeMahieu (3B - $3,900), Giancarlo Stanton (OF - $4,300)
Miley has allowed three runs in two of his last three starts, and neither of those outings have lasted more than five innings. He's regressing and also carries a 4.97 road xFIP into Saturday (compared to a 2.98 home tally). Sanchez remains feast or famine, but his .370 ISO against lefties speaks volumes. LeMahieu is the stack's stabilizer with a .384 wOBA, though his lineup position is ambigious with Aaron Judge ($4,400) likely remaining atop the order. Finally, Stanton hasn't gotten cranked up this season due to injury; he posted a .428 wOBA, 174 wRC+ and .329 ISO against lefties last year.
Rockies vs. Hyun-Jin Ryu (Dodgers)
Nolan Arenado (3B - 4,100), Ian Desmond (OF - $2,900), Daniel Murphy (1B - $3,100)
The limited options Saturday may make this stack too obvious for GPP purposes as a contrarian play. The Rockies simply crush lefties, even away from Coors' Field. Arenado has a .428 wOBA, 151 wRC+ and .410 ISO in this spot, while Desmond has oddly shown more power on the road, sporting a .401 wOBA and .405 ISO (against .451/.341 at home). Murphy is admittedly where things get a little dicey, as while he has a .414 wOBA overall against lefties, it falls to .319 on the road. Charlie Blackmon ($4,300) is the obvious pivot if affordable.
