There are four MLB games on the main DraftKings DFS slate for Saturday, with the first starting at 2:08 p.m. ET. Here are three value picks for the slate. This article is written before the actual lineups come out, so keep track of updates throughout the day.
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3B/OF Kike Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies, $2,900
Cristopher Sanchez has been marvelous this season, so the matchup isn’t a good one. In 202 innings, Sanchez posted a 2.55 FIP with a 0.53 HR/9. The walk rate was only 5.5% while the strikeout rate was 26.3%. Righties were a smidge more successful against Sanchez with a 0.63 HR/9 and 2.68 FIP compared to 0.2 and 2.08.
That said, it’s freaking Kike Hernandez and it’s playoff time. In 238 career postseason at-bats, Hernandez is slashing .286/.357/.525 with 15 home runs. Only Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth and Carlos Beltran have a higher OPS on the road in the playoffs (min. 75 PA). During the regular season, Hernandez has a career slash of .236/.305/.403.
Hernandez has also been in good form recently, putting up double-digit FPTS in four of the last six games.
OF Nathan Lukes, Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees, $3,200
Luis Gil will get the start for New York. He’s done an excellent job of keeping the ball in the park, especially on the road, but the Statcast numbers aren’t great — 90.5 mph average exit velocity and 42.6% hard hit rate. He also doesn’t miss bats with an 8.7% swinging strike rate, 20.4% chase rate and paltry 16.8% strikeout rate. The walk rate is a massive 13.5% as well. He’s posted a 3.32 ERA in 57 innings, but the FIP is much higher at 4.78.
Nathan Lukes doesn’t strikeout often (13.7%) and will take his walks (8.7%). While no one will ever mistake him for Juan Soto, the ISO isn’t bad at .152 and he’s hit 12 home runs in 438 plate appearances. The main allure of Lukes is that he will likely bat second in the batting order, something he’s done for the last month or so.
1B Andrew Vaughn, Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs, $3,300
Andrew Vaughn is slashing .254/.307/.411 with a 17.9% strikeout rate and .158 ISO. He’s hit 14 home runs with 65 RBIs in 447 plate appearances. Against left-handed pitching this season, Vaughn is slashing .313/.389/.470. At home, the ISO is .212. He will likely bat fourth in the lineup.
Matthew Boyd is getting the start for Chicago. The lefty has a K-BB% of 14.2% against righties while the HR/9 is 1.15. On the road, the K-BB% is only 12.5%.
