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). Let's focus on the evening slate to see what matchups you can take advantage of for your DraftKings entry.
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PITCHER
Johnny Cueto, SF vs. LAD ($11,800): The Giants and Dodgers play a doubleheader Saturday with Cueto slated to take the mound in the second game. He had a rough season last year, finishing with a 4.52 ERA. He had major control issues that resulted in a 3.2 BB/9 and 1.45 WHIP. Luck wasn't on his side either with opponents posting a .322 BABIP that was well above his .281 career mark. His luck has gone to the other extreme this year, holding opponents to a .203 BABIP and 0.35 ERA. While both numbers certainly aren't sustainable, it's an encouraging sign that he has a 1.4 BB/9 through four starts. He threw seven shutout innings in his first start against the Dodgers this season and is a strong option to consider for their rematch.
GPP Fade: Masahiro Tanaka, NYY at LAA ($8,900): Tanaka had the worst season of his career last year, finishing with a 4.74 ERA and 4.34 FIP. Normally he does an excellent job keeping runners off base, but he posted a career-high 1.24 WHIP. Home runs were a problem for him as well, registering a 1.8 HR/9. Although his WHIP has improved through five starts this year, he still has had problems with the long ball with a 1.6 HR/9. He can be dominant when he's on, but he faces a tough Angels lineup on Saturday. He might not be worth the risk at this price.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Joey Lucchesi, SD vs. NYM ($7,800): The Padres have made some significant strides in their rebuilding process, but entered this season without a lot of talent in their starting rotation. Lucchesi, though, has put up great numbers through his first five starts with a 2.70 ERA, 2.88 FIP and 1.13 WHIP. He had a 10.1 K/9 during his career in the minors and has carried that over to the majors, recording a 9.8 K/9 this season. The Mets have struggled to hit lefties this year with a .621 OPS against them entering Friday that is third lowest in baseball. Lucchesi, with his high strikeout upside, is a cheap option in tournament play.
CATCHER
Brian McCann, HOU vs. OAK ($3,700): McCann was hitting .306 entering play Friday, thanks to an abnormally high .361 BABIP. But he has a career .349 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, and the Athletics will start right-hander Daniel Mengden, who doesn't have overpowering stuff with a career 7.6 K/9.
FIRST BASE
Justin Bour, MIA vs. COL ($3,300): Bour has been excellent against right-handed pitchers, posting a wOBA of at least .356 in three consecutive seasons, topping out at .384 in 2017. Marquez has struggled to keep runners off base in general during his career with a 1.43 WHIP. At this cheap price, Bour makes a lot of sense Saturday.
SECOND BASE
Matt Carpenter, STL at PIT ($3,800): Carpenter is off to a terrible start, but his BABIP is almost 100 points lower than his career mark. He has a wOBA of at least .378 in three consecutive seasons against righties, so he could have an opportunity to bust out of his slump against Trevor Williams.
THIRD BASE
Nolan Arenado, COL at MIA ($5,200): One of the premier hitters in baseball, Arenado crushed lefties last year, finishing with the third-highest wRC+ against them (220) in baseball. Marlins lefty Caleb Smith takes the mound Saturday. He has allowed a .345 wOBA against righties in his brief career.
SHORTSTOP
Manny Machado, BAL vs. DET ($5,100): Machado batted .259 last year, but was a prime candidate to rebound in that department this year due to his abnormally low .265 BABIP. Despite his struggles, he still finished with a .345 wOBA against left-handers. Francisco Liriano pitches for the Tigers on Saturday, and while he held lefties to a .286 wOBA in 2017, right-handed hitters had far more success with a .373 wOBA.
OUTFIELD
Josh Reddick, HOU vs. OAK ($4,000): Reddick is not off to a great start this season in terms of batting average, but he's still hitting for power and his left-handed bat is extremely important to an Astros lineup that is predominantly right-handed. Finishing with a wOBA of at least .356 against righties in four consecutive seasons, Reddick is a viable option against Mengden.
Adam Jones, BAL vs. DET ($3,800): Jones' inability to draw walks in pretty incredible, never finishing with more than 39 free passes in a season. His 18.9 percent strikeout rate isn't bad either, meaning he puts a lot of balls into play. With Liriano's struggles against right-handed batters already detailed, Jones is someone worth considering.
Trey Mancini, BAL vs. DET ($3,700): Stacking Orioles righties could be a sound move Saturday. Mancini is another one to add to the list, whose splits are actually close to the same regardless if he is facing a lefty or a righty. He's also batted leadoff the majority of the time this season, giving him added opportunities to provide value.
