This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
PITCHER
Vince Velasquez, PHI vs. ATL ($8,400): Velasquez's elite strikeout rate (10.45 K/9) always makes him an alluring target, but the safety of facing baseball's second-worst offense pushes the second-year starter into the same conversation as all of the night's top end options at a significantly discounted price tag. While Jose Fernandez, Jake Arrieta and Madison Bumgarner all have to deal with opponents in the playoff picture, Velasquez gets to go opposite a rookie making his fifth major league start (John Gant) in his quest for win number nine. With a decent shot at getting some rare run support, the young right-hander is in line for a high-scoring performance after racking up over a strikeout per inning in each of his last five starts.
CATCHER
Evan Gattis, HOU at TEX ($3,400): Despite having 101 less plate appearances against lefties, Gattis has hit 19 of his 40 extra-base hits facing them. The veteran slugger has a .364 wOBA in that split and those numbers could be on the rise against Rangers starter Derek Holland. Holland has been pedestrian with a 4.68 ERA, and injuries have sapped his ability to put hitters away. The underwhelming opposition will likely do little to take the wind out of the sails of a streaking Gattis, who has homered thrice in the past six games.
FIRST BASE
Brandon Moss, STL at CIN ($3,700): Moss has pounded right-handed pitching this season, posting a .387 wOBA, and is a major threat to go deep against a starter who allowed four homers last time out and has given up 11 over his last eight starts (Dan Straily). Moss has smacked 22 of his 25 long balls off righties, while earning his promotion to third in the Cardinals order with seven homers in his last 18 games. You'll be hard-pressed to find anyone likelier to hit one out of the park.
SECOND BASE
Chase Utley, LOS vs. SDP ($2,800): The Dodgers offense is likely to find success against Luis Perdomo after scoring 15 runs in 13 innings with him on the mound so far this season, making their affordable leadoff man an excellent value play. Utley has been hot with five homers, 16 runs and 12 RBI in his last 20 games (17 starts) and does most of his damage against right-handers. Given Perdomo's .396 wOBA allowed to left-handed hitters on the road in 144 at-bats this season, the veteran second baseman's chances of contributing to another productive night in Los Angeles are high.
THIRD BASE
Manny Machado, BAL vs. NYY ($4,100): Machado hits pretty much everyone hard, but his 13-for-40 lifetime mark with five extra-base hits against CC Sabathia stands out as particularly effective over a relatively sizeable sample. The current Sabathia is far removed from his dominant prime and is likely to struggle against a tough Orioles lineup after giving up at least three runs in 11 of his last 13 starts. Their three-hole hitter should play a particularly significant offensive role, especially after going 3-for-5 in his last meeting with the veteran lefty just six days ago.
SHORTSTOP
Cristhian Adames, COL vs. ARI ($2,900): Those looking to invest in the Rockies lineup at Coors Field without breaking the bank should strongly consider Adames. Trevor Story's switch-hitting replacement has taken full advantage of the thin Colorado air with six hits in the last two games and has a great opportunity to keep the good times rolling against a pitcher who has been knocked around for 14 runs over his last three starts in Braden Shipley. The Rockies are almost certain to have a productive offensive performance as a team, so there's little reason to suspect one of their hottest hitters won't join the party.
OUTFIELD
Steve Pearce, BAL vs. NYY ($3,200): Even with Adam Jones (hamstring) back, Pearce's strong recent form and success against lefties should earn him a prominent lineup spot against struggling veteran Sabathia. The versatile fielder got two starts in the leadoff spot while Jones was sidelined and capitalized by hitting one into the seats in each of those contests. While he'll probably occupy a different place in the order, the streaking Pearce should still be able to capitalize on this favorable matchup given his astronomical .452 wOBA against southpaws and the fact that he homered off Sabathia less than a week ago.
Carlos Gonzalez, COL vs. ARI ($4,100): Gonzalez's numbers at home against right-handers are staggering: a .340/.402/.654 triple slash line with a .439 wOBA. The veteran slugger takes full advantage of the Coors Field effect, doing the vast majority of his damage in baseball's most hitter-friendly venue. Luckily for him, that's where this date with Shipley takes place. Given his recent struggles, the rookie is unlikely to escape unscathed against CarGo.
Odubel Herrera, PHI vs. ATL ($2,400): Braves rookie Gant is allowing a .346 wOBA to left-handed hitters and will be making his first start since Jun. 27. Herrera's .354 wOBA against righties has come from facing significantly tougher competition, meaning that number should be on the rise in what promises to be a productive night for the Phillies offense as a whole. The center fielder's prominent position in the two-hole often fails to pay dividends because of the ineptitude around him, but Saturday's favorable matchup turns Herrera into a strong low-risk option at just $2,400.
