DraftKings MLB: Saturday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Saturday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

PITCHER

Carlos Martinez, STL vs. ATL ($9,800): Martinez faces a Braves team that has a .290 wOBA and .119 ISO against right-handed pitching this season, with both figures ranking as worst in the majors, and they also sport the second-worst road wOBA (.289). Martinez has faced Atlanta in one other game this season, generating a solid 19.3 fantasy points over six innings of four-hit ball, while allowing only a .182 batting average against. He also brings plenty of upside, as evidenced by his four starts with over 20 fantasy points over his last nine appearances.

Chris Tillman, BAL at CWS ($9,300): Tillman is seeking his 15th win, the second-best total of his career, against a White Sox team that has the fourth-worst wOBA against righties in the AL (.304) along with a 20.9 percent strikeout rate. He has also been strong on the road this season, going 6-2 with a 3.13 ERA and .208 batting average against. While he had one major recent hiccup against the Rockies on July 26, he's still sporting a 4-1 record and 2.79 ERA over his last six starts.

CATCHER

Wilson Ramos, WAS vs. SF ($4,600): Giants starter Matt Cain is surrendering a .393 wOBA and 7.48 ERA over 21.2 road innings this season, and a .333 wOBA and nine homers to right-handed hitters overall. Ramos has a .390 wOBA and 36.1 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching this season, while Cain has yielded a 38.1 percent hard contact rate to righty bats on the road. The Nationals backstop has also been swinging a hot bat, with five games of double-digit fantasy points, including two over 20.

FIRST BASE

Paul Goldschmidt, ARI vs. MIL ($4,500) When Brewers starter Matt Garza takes the mound, it's never a bad idea to stockpile at least a couple of potent bats against him. Goldschmidt and his .366 wOBA against right-handed pitching certainly qualifies, as has he a 39.5 percent hard contact rate at home, while Garza has given up a .382 wOBA against righty bats on the road and a 6.61 ERA and .361 wOBA over his last six starts.

SECOND BASE

Trea Turner, WAS vs. SF ($4,200): Turner has nine games with double-digit fantasy points over the last 11. He also has homers in back-to-back games, is always a threat to steal once he gets on base, and faces Matt Cain, whose struggles against righties on the road has been discussed. To top it off, Turner has blasted right-handed pitching to the tune of a .372 wOBA this season.

THIRD BASE

Travis Shaw, BOS at LAD ($2,900): Shaw has a .353 wOBA and nine of his 13 homers on the season against right-handed pitching. He also has a 38.9 percent hard contact rate against righties on the road, and comes into Saturday with homers in back-to-back games. Meanwhile, Dodgers starter Ross Stripling has given up a .347 wOBA to lefty hitters over a 51-batter sample at home this season.

SHORTSTOP

Andrelton Simmons, LAA at SEA ($2,600): Simmons provides a safe alternative for a very reasonable price, and he comes in with a solid recent stretch of hitting. Before an 0-for-4 on Friday, Simmons had hit safely in eight of his previous 10 games, and while you're not likely to get double-digit fantasy production, Simmons has proven himself to be one of the more solid and cost-effective cash game plays over the last month-plus, and his salary provides plenty of flexibility elsewhere.

OUTFIELD

Mike Trout, LAA at SEA ($5,200): Trout has enjoyed facing Mariners starter Taijuan Walker over his career, hitting .750 (6-for-8) with a solo homer against him. Trout also has a .424 wOBA, .245 ISO and 39.8 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitchers.

Jayson Werth, WAS vs. SF ($3,900): The D-backs' David Peralta ($3,900) is also a strong option against Matt Garza at this price point, but I'll highlight Werth, who's slashed .625/.667/1.000 against Matt Cain over eight at-bats, along with a solo homer. He's also been swinging a hot bat, with a six-game hitting streak coming into Saturday.

Aaron Altherr, PHI at SD ($3,000): Much like Trea Turner, Altherr brings some solid multi-category fantasy upside, especially at his price. He has a .367 wOBA and .231 ISO against right-handed pitching on the road, while Padres starter Paul Clemens has yielded a whopping .470 wOBA, 41.7 percent hard contact rate and seven of his eight homers on the season to right-handed hitters. He's been even more vulnerable against righty bats at home, where he's surrendered a .507 wOBA, 12.85 FIP and 7.24 xFIP to that handedness.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Juan Carlos Blanco plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: jcblanco22, FanDuel: jc_blanco22, DraftPot: jc_blanco22, FantasyDraft: jc_blanco22, OwnThePlay: jcblanco22.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Juan Carlos Blanco
Winner of the FSWA 2016 Newcomer of the Year Award, Juan Carlos Blanco has been playing fantasy sports for over 20 years and covers NBA, MLB, NFL, CFL and Arena Football for Rotowire.com, including serving as the beat writer for teams in multiple sports. He has previously written for KFFL.com and remains an avid season-long and daily fantasy player in multiple sports as well.
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