RADIO
Saturday looks to be a day of pitching with several star pitchers taking the mound across a full slate of games. Most eyes are likely to land on Stephen Strasburg, as he returns to the National’s rotation in a home start against the Rockies, but not too far from the nation’s capital David Price will be toeing the mound against a powerful Yankees offense. Baseball’s two highest scoring teams collide in New York. There will certainly be plenty of strikeouts, but with temperatures at their peaks and offenses just as hot there should be plenty of runs as well. Here are a couple of pitchers and a handful of batters to keep an eye on today.
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Offenses to Target for DraftKings Stacking
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (vs Baltimore)
Despite loads of talent and the best player in baseball, the Angels lineup ranks in the middle of the pack when it comes to run production in 2015. A Saturday matchup against Ubaldo Jimenez could help with that. Increasingly notorious for inconsistency, Jimenez has been shelled for six or more runs in three of his last four starts and has given up six HR across 18.2 IP in that span. This comes after a string of quality starts in which the right-hander’s ERA dropped as low as 2.81. Either way, there is pop in the Angel’s lineup and a shaky pitcher on the mound. Runs can be expected.
Toronto Blue Jays (at NYY)
Seemingly the default option in this category, Toronto remains the highest scoring team in baseball, and the offense has only gotten better now with the addition of Troy Tulowitzki. Even if the team is facing a pitcher in Ivan Nova who has been strong as of late, an R/G north of 5.3 says they’re worth looking at today. There simply isn’t a better offense in baseball.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for DraftKings
Tyson Ross (SP, SD) - $10,600
A matchup against a bottom-five offense in one of baseball’s premier pitcher’s parks could make Ross a great play on Saturday. He’s coming off nine straight starts allowing fewer than three ER and has dropped his ERA to a respectable 3.37 with a 9.56 K/9.
Stephen Strasburg (SP, WSH) - $10,100
The fact that Strasburg will face the Rockies in Washington is key, as Colorado’s offensive production dips significantly outside the thin air of Coors Field. In 52 away games this season, the Rockies have managed only 180 RBI and have hit .242 as a team. That’s 111 fewer RBI and 61 points lower than in their 54 games at home. Strasburg has ace potential every time he steps on the mound, and that will be especially true today.
DFS Infielders to Consider for DraftKings
Brian McCann (C, NYY) - $3,600
Not many hitters relish the chance to face David Price, but McCann seems to. The 31-year-old catcher has only seen 16 AB against Price in his career, but has tagged the Blue Jays’ newest addition for a whopping nine hits and three HR in those meetings. Couple that with three HR in his last seven games and McCann becomes an excellent pick today.
Maikel Franco (3B, PHI) - $3,700
Enjoying a breakout campaign, Franco can put up daunting numbers when he’s seeing the ball well, and a .298 AVG with 12 RBI over his last 15 games suggests the rookie third baseman is doing just that. He’ll have to deal with the expansive Petco Park, but should offer great value today.
Howie Kendrick (2B, LAD) - $3,700
Kendrick has had success facing Fransisco Liriano in the past, posting a .471 AVG in 17 career AB against the Pirates’ pitcher, and has been hot as of late with a host of hits and RBI over the last week. He’s not likely to hit HR, but Kendrick should find other ways to score points in a volatile Dodger lineup.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for DraftKings
Melky Cabrera (OF, CHW) - $4,000
This marks the second week in a row that Cabrera has been on this list, and for good reason. The White Sox outfielder has been among the hottest hitters in baseball over the last few weeks, and faces a pitcher in Jeremy Guthrie whom Cabrera has a career .364 AVG against with nine RBI in 46 AB.
Jacoby Ellsbury (OF, NYY) - $4,100
Despite the team facing David Price, Ellsbury marks the second Yankee on this list—and there could be more. A host of Yankees seem to love hitting off Price, and Ellsbury is one of them with 18 hits and 7 XBH in 51 AB against the lefty. That’s a pretty good sample size, and makes Ellsbury a solid option in the outfield today.
Nelson Cruz (OF, SEA) - $5,400
The last option on this list, Cruz is also the most expensive, but he’s worth it. He’s simply been that good. In the last week the Mariners’ outfielder has strung together five straight games with a HR, six straight with multiple hits, and six RBI. He’ll also face a young pitcher in Martin Perez for the Rangers who boasts an ERA north of 6.00. There may not be a safer option today.
