This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
A much larger than usual 10-game slate awaits players Saturday evening. There's a nice hodgepodge on the mound, mixing big names, high prices and form, and solid matchups, while offenses are led by a Reds-Rockies showdown in the mountains.
Pitching
Trevor Bauer, LAD vs. MIA ($11,000): He's not been terrific, but averaging 44 FanDuel points (FDP) per start, carrying a 2.50 ERA and 3.22 xFIP along with an 11.98 K/9 ratio, Bauer profiles as stably as possible against a Marlins lineup posting a 26.1 percent K rate against righties. He's been at 40 FDP or better in seven of eight starts, so there's a safe 4x feel here, and at a $400 discount to Carlos Rodon, Bauer is my preferred pay up.
Ian Anderson, ATL at MIL ($8,600): I mentioned yesterday I'm a Braves homer, and I loathe Anderson simply because he's inefficient and exposes "our" awful bullpen. But he's still fanned at least five in all but one start while going six-plus innings in three of four. Milwaukee's offense is simply brutal, bring a .279 wOBA against righties to the table Saturday, the league's second-lowest number, adding a 75 wRC+, .137 ISO and 26.7 strikeout rate. Anderson presents very stably.
Triston McKenzie, CLE at SEA ($6,900): Speaking of inefficient, I'll present McKenzie. He hasn't been nearly as solid as he was in last year's abbreviated season, having not thrown more than five frames to date. That takes quality start upside out of the equation, but with the Mariners fanning 25.2 percent of the time while posting a 91 wRC+ against righties, you'd think McKenzie can flirt with 30 FDP. He's allowed one run or fewer in three appearances, maybe not that impressive due to his lack of longevity, but 3x should work as a pay-down option.
Brett Anderson, MIL vs. ATL ($6,100): Atlanta has been incredibly brutal against lefties, owning a .260 wOBA, 62 wRC+, .150 ISO and 27.8 percent K rate. Anderson very well could be on a pitch count in his second start back from injury, but, at this number, he doesn't need to do much to return, and is clearly in a favorable spot to do so, if you're willing to gamble and stack offensively.
Top Targets
Trevor Story, COL vs. CIN ($4,100): I'm trying to find less-used top targets, so here we are with Story, who seems priced down at home in a plus spot. He's making more hard contact despite not leaving the yard in his last nine games and gets a pitcher in Tyler Mahle who's surprisingly allowing a .405 wOBA to righties to date. A GPP lineup built around a secondary arm, Story and a Reds stack below is at least interesting.
Aaron Judge, NYY at BAL ($3,900): Judge was 71 percent used in my 50-50 Friday and responded with two long balls. I didn't use him, so I'm covering myself here. O's starter Jorge Lopez is allowing a .404 wOBA at home against righties (48 plate appearances), which is enough for me to bet on Judge to drive one over the fence again Saturday.
Bargain Bats
Franmil Reyes, CLE at SEA ($3,100): The somewhat unfortunate theme of these value options is chasing power. Reyes comes in with a .295 ISO against lefties, adding a team-leading .362 wOBA and 43.8 percent hard-hit rate against lefties. Mariners' starter Justus Sheffield has allowed a higher wOBA to lefties (.404 vs. .335) but four of his five long balls allowed have come to opposite-handed bats.
Josh Bell, WAS at ARI ($3,000): A play on a seemingly heating bat. Bell homered Wednesday and had two more RBI Friday at time of submission, resulting in 11 in his last 12 outings. Luke Weaver hasn't been great on the mound, but there isn't an obvious attacking angle from the advanced stats, so I'll tread lightly with Nats' bats and roll with Bell as a one off.
Andrew Vaughn, CWS vs. KAN ($2,400): The White Sox are raking despite injuries, so a stack including Vaughn, Yermin Mercedes and Yasmani Grandal, all priced at $3,000, against a lefty in Danny Duffy shouldn't be discredited. But Vaughn may be my favorite stand-alone value. He's hit safely in six of eight, driving in five runs and leads the team's regulars with a .535 wOBA, 256 wRC+ and .368 ISO against lefties.
Stack to Consider
Reds vs. Jhoulys Chacin: Mike Moustakas ($3,900), Tyler Naquin ($3,800), Tucker Barnhart ($3,000)
Stacking at Coors Field isn't easy, but with the Reds' injury situation, there are some secondary options that fit most budgets. Based on Friday's lineup, we've got a 1-3-5 order stack here. Chacin as a starter is done, and has targetable numbers against both-handed bats (.456 wOBA to lefties, .400 to righties). This trio all come with at least a .365 wOBA against righties, and, hitting around the Reds top options in Jesse Winker and Nick Castellanos, they should collectively help the cause while saving a few bucks.
