This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Saturday's nine-game evening slate features a few pitchers who are just good enough to avoid a stack recommendation, thereby making it slightly difficult to determine where prospective poolies can load up on offense. We can still identify at least one target, as well as several other plays who have the potential to bring home massive points.
Pitchers
It's never a good idea to put too much emphasis on a single start, but I feel compelled to mention Adam Wainwright ($9,200) threw a complete-game shutout against the Pirates at PNC Park less than three weeks ago that netted him a cool 42.1 DraftKings points. While we can't exactly hope for a repeat performance, he's been lights out in August with a 1.70 ERA in 37 innings. The Pirates head into the contest with the league's second-lowest wOBA against righties.
It looked as though the wheels would fall all the way off for Marcus Stroman ($8,200) after the All-Star break, but the 30-year-old seems to have righted the ship after a few tough outings as he's produced a 3.06 ERA in the second half of the season over 47 innings while only allowing a .291 wOBA. The Nationals offense hasn't gone away after losing talent at the trade deadline, but Stroman should be able to keep them in check due to the 47 percent ground ball rate Washington has posted this season.
David Price ($7,000) may not be the pitcher of old, but he should still be serviceable against the Rockies with their lowest wOBA (.272) and fourth-highest strikeout rate (26 percent) on the road this year. Price is still in the process of being stretched out after rejoining a starting rotation, having thrown a season-high 75 pitches in his last outing against the Mets. While this may not exactly inspire confidence to those looking to add him, it should be noted he doesn't have to do too much to pay off at this salary.
Top Hitters
Yuli Gurriel ($5,400) has been a different hitter against southpaws in 2021, as we can see from the .255 ISO and .403 wOBA across 145 at-bats. Kolby Allard has thrown the ball slightly better at home than his 4.86 ERA would suggest, but he's experienced trouble keeping the ball in the yard regardless of location with a 1.9 HR/9 rate from 100 innings.
Wander Franco's ($5,100) overall numbers since making his major league debut in June are solid, but the rookie has looked like a world-beater against left-handed pitching with a .243 ISO, .413 wOBA, and 13 percent strikeout rate in 70 at-bats. John Means is another hurler who's struggled with the long ball having given up 21 homers to right-handed hitters in only 84.2 innings.
The Mets may be struggling, but Pete Alonso ($4,900) is absolutely hammering lefties to the tune of a .339 ISO and .381 wOBA over 127 at-bats. Sean Nolin spent a career in the minors (622 innings), but has never found his groove at the highest level as his 7.28 ERA across 38.1 frames will show.
Bargain Bats
Dylan Carlson ($3,500) may never be known for his power, but the speedster has performed well against left-handed pitchers in 2021 with a .360 wOBA in 102 at-bats. Steven Brault has managed to prevent runs over his 18.2 innings this year, but the 4.95 xFIP during that span tells us his 1.93 ERA won't last long.
Manny Pina's ($3,200) numbers may not turn heads, but the veteran is unquestionably powerful with a .222 ISO across 63 at-bats against lefties. Charlie Barnes has looked solid against same-handed opposition in a small sample, but has been hit hard by righty bats by a .548 slugging percentage from 18 innings.
Injuries have nearly cut Justin Upton's ($2,700) season in half, but the 34-year-old has still managed to be a pest to left-handed pitchers posting a .261 ISO and .366 wOBA in 88 at-bats. The Angels will need to deal with Craig Stammen for a maximum of two innings before taking on Ryan Weathers, who has allowed a .537 slugging percentage to righties over 57 innings.
Stacks to Consider
Rays against John Means: Wander Franco ($5,100), Mike Zunino ($4,600), Randy Arozarena ($4,200)
It may be tough to find a value option among the Tampa Bay offense, but the amount of power we get will be worth it against Means, who has allowed at least two homers in six of his last 10 starts. Zunino's numbers against lefties have been remarkable this year with a .533 ISO against them over 90 at-bats.
