DraftKings MLB: Saturday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Saturday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

PITCHER

Aaron Nola, PHI vs. SD ($9,900): Instead of spending big on Stephen Strasburg ($12,500) or Luis Severino ($11,500), I think Nola can have just as strong an outing at a much cheaper price. Nola has reached 28 fantasy points in his last three starts and gets the lowly Padres, who have a .312 wOBA and high 26.6 percent K rate against righties since the start of June.

Jake Arrieta, CHC vs. PIT ($8,400): While Nola is close to a sure thing, Arrieta is more of a gamble, yet with upside. If he can repeat what he did in two of his last three starts – wins at Cincinnati and Miami – it should be a good day. The Pirates aren't great against righties with .315 wOBA since June 1 and .308 for the season.

CATCHER

Omar Narvaez, CWS at COL ($3,100): The hope is that Narvaez will start behind the plate with a righty on the mound. He doesn't have great numbers against righties, but at Coors Field against Jeff Hoffman, that won't matter. Hoffman has a .352 wOBA allowed and 4.76 xFIP at home against lefties.

FIRST BASE

Justin Smoak, TOR vs. HOU ($4,700): Smoak has a .439 wOBA and .405 ISO against righties since June 1. Mike Fiers is solid, yet hasn't made it more than six innings in his last three starts and still has a 4.25 xFIP against lefties.

SECOND BASE

Yolmer Sanchez, CWS at COL ($3,800): I'll go after another White Sox player due to the game being at Coors Field with one of the higher over/unders. Sanchez has been better with a .375 wOBA and .173 ISO against righties in his last 89 plate appearances. Hoffman has had some good outings, but even though he went seven innings in his last start he still gave up three runs.

THIRD BASE

Jake Lamb, ARI vs. CIN ($5,300): This feels like a good time to spend a little more on Lamb as he's been extremely consistent against righties this season with a .424 wOBA and .296 ISO. Luis Castillo started his MLB career on a good foot, yet still hasn't made it six innings and has allowed a .404 wOBA against lefties.

SHORTSTOP

Trevor Story, COL vs. CWS ($4,000): Story has slowed down a bit in the last couple of weeks, but his .392 wOBA and .318 ISO against lefties is hard to ignore. Jose Quintana struggles against righties as seen in his 4.43 xFIP. Even with some recent success, Quintana remains hard to trust after giving up three runs and only making it 4.1 innings in his last start against the Rangers.

OUTFIELD

Kole Calhoun, LAA at TEX ($3,800): For the price, there aren't many better outfielders due to Calhoun's .382 wOBA against righties in his last 89 plate appearances. Tyson Ross hasn't had a great start and gave up four runs and five walks last time out in a loss to the White Sox. His 5.64 xFIP against lefties also stands out.

Carlos Gomez, TEX vs. LAA ($4,900): Gomez has a .378 wOBA and .259 ISO against righties, with those numbers at .409 and .365 since June 1. To help, Jesse Chavez is worse against righties, allowing a .367 wOBA and 5.07 xFIP.

Ian Happ, CHC vs. PIT ($4,500): I recommended Happ the other night and will do so again in another plus matchup. He has a .367 wOBA and .305 ISO against righties and his 30.6 percent K rate won't matter due to Ivan Nova's lackluster 9.3 percent K rate against lefties. Nova is going fairly deep in games, yet has given up 13 runs and 31 hits in his last four starts.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Adam Zdroik plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: zdroik, DraftKings: rotozdroik, Yahoo: StreakMaster.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam Zdroik
Adam, a 2019, 2018 and 2017 Finalist for FSWA's Soccer Writer of the Year, is RotoWire's soccer editor. He also runs RotoWire's Bracketology, as well as writes on other various college basketball content. He has previously worked at ESPN and Sporting Kansas City, and he is a former Streak for the Cash winner and Michigan State graduate.
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