This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
The players featured in this piece will be building blocks that can work in several lineup configurations (cash and GPP). There is a pretty even mix between day and evening games Saturday, but let's focus on the featured night slate on DraftKings.
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STARTING PITCHERS
Kenta Maeda, LAD vs. COL ($11,000): The Dodgers have dealt with injuries to several of their starting pitchers this season, with Maeda being one of them. Luckily, he only experienced a brief stint on the DL, missing about two weeks in the beginning of June. He had his best start since returning in his last outing against the Cubs, recording nine strikeouts in seven scoreless innings. His 10.6 K/9 this season would be the highest of his career, helping to support his 3.44 ERA and 2.98 FIP. The Rockies aren't nearly as potent offensively on the road and entered Friday with a .717 OPS against right-handed pitchers, far worse than their .783 OPS against lefties. With only seven games to choose from, Maeda is one of the best pitching options available.
GPP Fade: Felix Hernandez, SEA vs. KC ($8,100): Hernandez has pitched better lately by allowing three runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. He's had some rough outings overall through, resulting in a 5.10 ERA and a 4.57 FIP. His 1.35 WHIP would rank as his highest mark since 2008 and his strikeouts are down again with a 7.6 K/9. The Royals really struggle to score runs, but at least they entered Friday with the fewest strikeouts in baseball. Hernandez comes in as the third-most expensive starting pitcher and although he may not give up a ton of runs in this game, his lack of strikeouts might not make it worth plugging him into your lineup.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Bartolo Colon, TEX vs. CWS ($5,100): After Maeda and Chris Sale ($13,000), the quality of starting pitchers scheduled to take the mound drops off considerably. Few have significant strikeout upside either, so this might be the day to take a risk on someone really cheap so you can load up with high-priced hitters. Colon barely strikeouts anyone out with a 5.5 K/9 and allows a lot of home runs, but he has allowed three runs or fewer in three of his last four starts. The White Sox have had a hard time scoring runs, so much so that they couldn't even take advantage of a matchup against Yovani Gallardo on Friday by plating just three runs. While Colon is certainly a risky play, the relief he provides your budget makes him someone to consider in tournament play.
CATCHER
Kurt Suzuki, ATL at STL ($3,700): Suzuki is swinging a hot bat for the Braves by hitting .395 with a home run and four doubles in his last 11 games entering Friday. He's splitting duties behind the plate with Tyler Flowers, but he's been better offensively overall with a .290 average and eight home runs. He won't have the platoon advantage against Luke Weaver, but Suzuki has a .348 wOBA against righties this year.
FIRST BASE
Max Muncy, LAD vs. COL ($4,700): Muncy spent all of 2017 in Triple-A and although he hit .309, no one could have expected him to play as well as he has this season. Entering Friday, Muncy was batting .266 with a .410 OBP and 17 homers in 212 plate appearances. With a .429 wOBA against righties, he's an excellent option against the underwhelming German Marquez.
SECOND BASE
Joe Panik, SF at ARI ($3,500): Panik began the season by carrying the Giants lineup, but he missed the entire month of May with a thumb injury. He hasn't exactly been tearing the cover off the ball since he returned, but he's gone 8-for-27 (.296) with four doubles in his last eight games entering Friday. Shelby Miller will be making only his second start of the season after returning from Tommy John surgery. He was crushed for five runs in 3.2 innings in his first start and could still be shaking off the rust Saturday.
THIRD BASE
Jedd Gyorko, STL vs. ATL ($3,400): Gyorko is almost unplayable versus righties with a 53 wRC+ against them this year. However, he's someone to target with left-hander Max Fried expected to start considering Gyorko has a 191 wRC+ against lefties.
SHORTSTOP
Brock Holt, BOS at NYY ($3,400): Injuries limited Holt to only 64 games last year, but he's been healthy so far and a valuable player for the Red Sox. He entered Friday with only one home run, but he is batting .293 with a .373 OBP. Sonny Gray will start for the Yankees and his 1.44 WHIP has helped lead to a very disappointing first half. Holt won't cost much, leaving him as someone to consider in tournament play.
OUTFIELD
Andrew Benintendi, BOS at NYY ($5,200): With Gray on the mound for the Yankees, several Red Sox hitters could have big games. Benintendi might be one of them because although he only has a .297 wOBA against lefties, he has posted a stellar .398 wOBA against righties.
Cody Bellinger, LAD vs. COL ($4,700): Marquez has been destroyed at Coors Field this season, but has pitched much better on the road with a 3.07 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. However, he has allowed a .374 wOBA against left-handed hitters. Bellinger is also hot right now, with a 10-for-30 (.333) stretch and four home runs over his last seven games entering Friday.
Marcell Ozuna, STL vs. ATL ($3,800): Ozuna has firmly put his slow start behind him and entered Friday hitting 9-for-22 (.409) over a six-game hitting streak. He's still catching up in the power department, but his .386 wOBA against lefties makes him another Cardinals' hitter to key in on against Fried.
