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). The month of September starts off in style Saturday with 13 games making up the main evening slate on DraftKings.
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STARTING PITCHER
Jon Gray, COL at SD ($8,800): Gray was roughed up a bit in his last start against the Angels, giving up five runs across 6.2 innings. He's riding a 10.0 K/9 for the season, but he recorded just one strikeout in that contest. His 4.76 ERA this season doesn't look great on the surface, but his 3.43 FIP and 1.26 WHIP both indicate he hasn't pitched that poorly. The Padres entered Friday with the fourth-fewest runs scored and the second-most strikeouts in baseball, so look for Gray to have a bounce-back performance.
GPP Fade: Stephen Strasburg, WAS vs. MIL ($9,000): Strasburg allowed two runs over six innings in his last start Phillies, which was by far his best outing since being activated from the DL. Prior to that, he had allowed 11 runs across his last two outings. Injuries have resulted in yet another disappointing season, limiting him to just 16 starts. Furthermore, his 4.15 ERA and 3.65 FIP would both be the highest marks of his career. The Brewers lineup is much deeper due to all of the trades they made and they are averaging 5.5 runs over their last 10 games entering Friday, making Strasburg a risky play at this price.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Daniel Poncedeleon, STL vs. CIN ($7,100): Poncedeleon has spent the majority of this season at Triple-A where he posted a sparkling 2.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 10.3 K/9. He'll make his third start for the Cardinals on Saturday, which will be his eighth major-league appearance overall. His first MLB start actually came against these same Reds when he recorded three strikeouts over seven scoreless innings. With his strikeout upside, Poncedeleon might be worth considering in tournament play for their rematch.
CATCHER
Danny Jansen, TOR at MIA ($3,400): Jansen recorded a .275 batting average at Triple-A this season, but more importantly, he also posted a .390 OBP. He has a .367 OBP for his career in the minors, although he hasn't hit for a ton of power. Jansen started out his career with Blue Jays on a high note, going 11-for-33 (.333) with three walks across 39 plate appearances entering Friday. He'll face Wei-Yin Chen in this contest, who has held left-handed hitters to a .252 wOBA, but has also allowed a .347 wOBA against righties.
FIRST BASE
Daniel Murphy, CHC at PHI ($4,200): The Cubs acquiring Murphy from the Nationals could provide significant dividends in October. He's wasted no time making a positive first impression as he has gone 11-for-36 (.306) in his first eight games entering Friday. Zach Eflin will start this contest for the Phillies and he's had trouble with lefties all year, allowing a .362 wOBA. Add in Murphy's .372 wOBA against righties before Friday and he could provide significant production for your entry.
SECOND BASE
Joey Wendle, TB at CLE ($4,300): Wendle doesn't possess much power, slugging just seven home runs this year coming into Friday. But he still finds ways to be productive, with his .296 average and .346 OBP. He's been red-hot of late, batting .333 with a .506 slugging percentage in August. Shane Beiber will start for the Indians, which is great news for Wendle considering Bieber has allowed a .388 wOBA against left-handed hitters.
THIRD BASE
Brian Anderson, MIA vs. TOR ($4,100):Marco Estrada has been dealing with some back soreness, but he is expected to start for the Blue Jays on Saturday. He's having another disastrous season with a 5.18 ERA that is supported by a 5.27 FIP. He's allowed too many baserunners with a 1.37 WHIP, which makes things even worse since he has given up 1.8 HR/9. Anderson might not be a significant power threat, but this could still be a matchup to exploit at this reasonable price.
SHORTSTOP
Trevor Story, COL at SD ($5,200): Story has made significant improvements this season. He's hitting for power as expected, but he's also batting .289 entering Friday. He's even become a weapon on the basepaths with 21 steals. Although he doesn't get the Coors Field bump in this contest, he does have a 147 wRC+ against lefties and will face one in Robbie Erlin.
OUTFIELD
Mitch Haniger, SEA at OAK ($4,600): The Mariners playoff hopes are getting slim, but that's certainly not because of Haniger. He's been one of their best hitters down the stretch, coming into Friday batting .351 with five home runs and 12 doubles in August. Daniel Mengden will start for the A's for the first time since June and he doesn't have an overwhelming arsenal with a 5.4 K/9.
Nelson Cruz, SEA at OAK ($4,100): It's not often you get a chance to roster Cruz at this reasonable price. His batting average is down this season at .264 entering Friday, while his .265 BABIP is also 40 points lower than his career mark. He still has smacked 32 home runs, making him another Mariner to target against Mengden.
Kole Calhoun, LAA at HOU ($3,800): Calhoun has cooled off a bit from his torrid pace in July, but he hasn't exactly struggled with a .282 average and a .348 OBP during August heading into Friday. He got off to such a horrible start this year that his overall numbers are a bit skewed, but he's impressed with a 192 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers since July 1. With righty Josh James making his first start in the majors for the Astros, Calhoun could provide significant value at this cheap price in tournament play.
