As is standard for a Saturday, there are two sizable batches of games. The first consists of five starting at 2:20 p.m. EDT, while the second one covers nine beginning at 7:10. We'll focus on the latter based on the larger player pool.
Pitchers
It's a top-heavy day for pitching, so plan to spend up and be on the hunt for value bats. Blake Snell ($9,800) and Dylan Cease ($9,300) are my two favorite selections, though they face each other. Despite the reputation of each lineup, neither one is in a bad position. The Dodgers have been pretty punchless for over a month while the Padres have been mediocre against lefties this season. Snell has also registered 18 strikeouts across 10 innings since returning from injury, so I'd lean towards him.
Casey Mize ($8,900) is overvalued for his skillset, but is still a reasonable bet to bank positive points. That's more than can be said for most of the pitchers in his salary range while the Twins list a .288 wOBA and 23.8 K percent since the All-Star break.
There are two value options worth considering. It's always risky rostering someone coming off the injured list, yet Michael Lorenzen ($7,500) is facing the White Sox.
And then there's Zebby Matthews ($6,700), who's a lesser version of Cease with excellent peripherals (24.2 K-BB%, 30 K%, 3.03 SIERA) alongside an ugly 1.36 WHIP and 5.11 ERA. His ceiling is probably a top-three performance among this player pool, which represents a significant difference to his valuation.
See which projected starters are going and when with RotoWire's Probable Pitchers page!
Top Hitters
Shea Langeliers ($5,900) has been red-hot out of the break. The combination of a hitter-friendly environment and a matchup against Tyler Anderson (1.91 HR/9) should help him keep things rolling.
Ketel Marte ($6,300) and Corbin Carroll ($6,600) have recently alternated excellent runs and they get a series at Coors Field this weekend. Chase Dollander is back in the Majors and posted a 9.37 ERA and 1.96 WHIP across 32.2 innings at Coors before being demoted. Arizona's an obvious stacking option if the salaries work.
Value Bats
Slade Cecconi was briefly someone to get on the waiver wire in season-long leagues, but that intrigue has quickly faded having allowed at least one homer from five straight starts and in seven of his last eight. Michael Harris ($3,400) has quietly done well after a disastrous season and his salary hasn't caught up.
While Zebby Matthews is my favorite value at pitcher, there's no denying he has a long-ball problem. Getting some Tigers in lineups is advisable, with Colt Keith ($3,700) a decent option given his status as Detroit's primary leadoff hitter.
Stacks to Consider
Angels at Athletics (Luis Morales): Zach Neto ($5,000), Mike Trout ($4,600), Taylor Ward ($4,200)
This is the ultimate boom-bust matchup. The Angels boast power potential throughout their order, yet strike out a lot. Meanwhile, Morales has walked six batters over his first 4.2 big-league innings. He hasn't paid for it yet, though a matchup at Sutter Health Park paired with the Angels ability to hit the ball out of the park put them strongly under consideration. That's particularly true given the player valuations and the likelihood most lineups will pay a considerable amount for pitchers. This game should also be one of Saturday's better offensive results.
Giants vs. Rays (Adrian Houser): Heliot Ramos ($4,300), Casey Schmitt ($3,500), Rafael Devers ($5,100)
The Giants aren't necessarily a traditional stacking option - particularly at home - but Houser has given up nine earned runs, 21 baserunners and two homers from 10.2 innings in two starts with the Rays. The other positive for San Francisco is the hitters' combined salary.
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