We’ve got a nine-game slate for Saturday’s MLB action.
Let’s find some studs and values for your MLB DFS lineups on DraftKings. This article was written before lineups were announced.
Make your DraftKings MLB DFS picks here: MLB $80K Relay Throw [$20K to 1st]
PITCHER
Stud
Tyler Glasnow, Los Angeles Dodgers at Miami Marlins ($10,700) — I’m not enamored with most of the pitching options up top, so Glasnow it is. In three starts since returning from injury, Glasnow has put up 15.6, 28, and 16.1 FPTS. His 4.00 ERA and 90.4 mph average exit velocity in that span aren’t enticing. That said, he’s been unlucky with a .304 BABIP and a low 55.6% strand rate. As a result, his FIP sits at a much lower 1.43. Glasnow threw 96 pitches last outing, so it looks like he’s ramped up and ready to do Glasnow things. He’s been much better on the road this season, posting a 1.66 FIP and clearing 25 FPTS three times before injury — with a high of 38.8 FPTS.
Value
Bailey Ober, Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Guardians ($5,800) — In a vacuum, I wouldn’t touch Ober with a 10-foot pole. He’s allowed 18 home runs and a 10.2% K-BB% in 117.2 innings. That said, he’s very cheap and faces a Cleveland team that ranks 29th in ISO, 27th in wOBA, and 25th in wRC+. Ober finished with 11, 16.8 and 15.6 FPTS in his last three starts. We are not looking for anything heroic here, just yeoman’s work with a sprinkle of fantasy dust.
INFIELD
Stud
Mickey Gasper, Boston Red Sox vs. Kansas City Royals ($4,100) — In 16 games from August 17 to September 4, Gasper slashed .378/.525/1.000 with an 18.6% walk rate, an 11.9% strikeout rate, and a .622 ISO! He mashed eight home runs during that stretch. He’s cooled off a bit of late, going hitless in four straight matchups. Hey, it’s baseball, but chances are elevated that he returns to the “Hey, Mickey, you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind. Hey, Mickey!” Gasper that we all know and love. Gasper has mashed right-handed pitching, posting a 163 wRC+ with a .248 ISO. Randy Dobnak is allowing a 4.34 FIP and an 8.6% K-BB% to lefties.
Value
Kike Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers at Miami Marlins ($3,100) — Alex Freeland at $2,100 is also an option with the injuries to Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. The $1,000 salary difference is nice, but Freeland has little to no power. Hernandez strikes out a lot, but when he connects, the ball goes fast and far. In limited action this season, Hernandez has posted a .179 and .208 ISO against lefties and righties, respectively. Hernandez is historically much better against lefties, though, and he should be locked into the first base role as long as Freeman is out.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Chase DeLauter, Cleveland Guardians at Minnesota Twins ($4,100) — Come on now, I’m not expecting Ober to pitch a shutout. Ober has allowed 12 home runs with a 5.22 FIP and a 5.9% K-BB% against lefties this season. DeLauter has 14 home runs and 10 stolen bases in 504 plate appearances this year. The walk rate is 10.1% while the strikeout rate is 14%, showing that he can score fantasy goodies in a variety of ways. He has put up 19, 19, 11, and 24 FPTS in four of his last seven games, all while hitting only one home run and swiping one base. He has mashed 12 of his home runs with a .184 ISO and a 131 wRC+ against right-handed pitching.
Value
Nathan Lukes, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles ($2,700) — Lukes, my man! If you know what that’s in reference to, we are kindred spirits. Nothing is spectacular about his game, as he’s posting an 87 mph average exit velocity, a 2.5% barrel rate, and a 67 mph bat speed. While his ISO sits at .128 against right-handed pitching, he’s slashing .296/.341/.424 with a 116 wRC+ in those matchups. He’s been batting second-to-fifth in the batting order recently and has delivered fantasy goodies in eight straight games, with two performances over 10 FPTS.
