This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Technically, there are seven games on the evening slate for DraftKings, which starts at 7:05 p.m. EDT. However, as of this writing, the points for the game between the Astros and Athletics will not count. The players are listed as being available to place in your lineup but you won't get points, so don't do that. Instead, consider these players for DFS purposes.
PITCHING
I'm going with low salary options with upside on pitching. First, there's Milwaukee's Brett Anderson ($6,400). He gets the honor of facing the Pirates, who come in with a .606 team OPS. There are hitters with higher slugging percentages than that. And Anderson has been decent on the mound with a 3.52 ERA through five starts.
If you really want to save salary on pitching, go with San Francisco's Trevor Cahill ($5,900). Like Anderson, he's a former Athletic. Cahill also struck out eight Diamondbacks and only allowed one run in 5.1 innings in his last start. His 1.64 ERA is eventually going to rise, but Arizona has only recorded a .380 slugging percentage thus far. There's no power in those bats.
TOP PICKS
Fernando Tatis Jr. has gotten so much love, it has somehow overshadowed Manny Machado ($5,900). You know, the guy who was second only to Bryce Harper in hype during the 2019 offseason? Machado has lived up to his contract this season with a 1.027 OPS and 11 homers whole throwing in three stolen bases for good measure. He's also at Coors Field on Saturday facing Antonio Senzatela, who just allowed four homers in his last start. Oh, and that game was at Dodgers Stadium, which is traditionally a pitcher's park.
Look, at some point Christian Yelich ($5,100) has to turn this around. MVPs don't stay under the Mendoza line for very long. Especially when they post an 1.047 OPS versus righties and an 1.109 OPS at home since 2018. Pittsburgh's JT Brubaker is a rookie with a 4.80 ERA. Maybe today is the day Yelich looks like his MVP-winning self once again.
VALUE PLAYS
It took Wilmer Flores ($4,300) some time to grow into his power, though that is not uncommon in baseball. This year, he's posted a .504 slugging percentage with seven homers in 30 games. He will be facing the Diamondbacks on Saturday, the team he played for last season. It might not be difficult to stick it to his old squad considering Luke Weaver has a 7.77 ERA through six starts.
There's no guarantee Derek Dietrich ($3,600) will even be in the lineup Saturday, but I like the lefty's odds given the Dodgers are starting a righty and the Rangers enter tonight with a lot of injuries. Dietrich managed to hit 19 homers last season while only batting .187. He's never made a ton of contact, but this year he's walking enough to manage a .351 OBP and you only need one good swing to make a mark in a game. Stripling has produced a 6.82 FIP, in part because he's allowed over three homers per nine innings. We know Dietrich can drive the ball if he makes contact.
STACKS
Rockies vs. Adrian Morejon: Trevor Story ($5,700), Nolan Arenado ($5,500), Matt Kemp ($2,900)
I mentioned earlier the Padres are visiting the Rockies. When Colorado is at home, it's never a bad idea to stack Rockies. Then you add in the fact Morejon has a career 8.53 ERA, admittedly in very limited innings. Story represents a threat with his bat and on the basepaths with nine homers and stolen eight bases while batting .305. Arenado got off to a slow start to this season, but he still has a .491 slugging percentage and has hit .294 over his career. With a lefty on the mound, Kemp will be the designated hitter Saturday. He's far from his prime, but an .892 OPS at Coors this season will help.
Nationals vs. Chris Mazza: Juan Soto ($5,700), Trea Turner (5,400), Adam Eaton ($3,400)
You know it's a dreary time for the Red Sox rotation when Mazza has to start. He has struggled to a career 5.73 ERA even though he's only started one game. In that outing, he allowed four runs and only lasted three innings. The southpaw Soto should be primed to crush Mazza. Just saying he's produced a 1.264 OPS through 21 games should suffice, right? Turner isn't as hot as Soto, but he still has impressed with a .322 batting average. He's also stolen at least 33 bases in every season where he's played more than 70 games. Eaton is struggling, but mostly against lefties. Against righties in 2020, his OPS sits at .839.
