DraftKings MLB: Saturday Picks

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Updated on June 17, 2017 9:02AM EST

PITCHER

Marcus Stroman, TOR vs. CWS ($10,100): Even with some shaky outings, Stroman has put up consistent numbers as he more often than not makes it six innings. He's reached at least 14 fantasy points in his last seven starts and gets a below average White Sox team Saturday. Against righties, Chicago has a 22.8 percent K rate and one of the worst wOBAs at .302.

Masahiro Tanaka, NYY at OAK ($8,600): Given the price, Tanaka stands out above the rest and a lot of that has to do with the last time he faced the Athletics, going 7.1 innings and striking out 13. Even with the Yankees losing the game, he racked up 37.5 fantasy points. After a couple duds, he regained his form against the Angels last time out, going 6.2 innings. Oakland has one of the worst K rates against righties at 24.6 percent and Tanaka will be aiming for double-digit Ks again.

CATCHER

Mike Zunino, SEA at TEX ($3,800): Zunino went off in the Twins series and can continue that against a beatable lefty in Martin Perez. Since the start of May (26 plate appearances), Zunino's wOBA has jumped to .389 and ISO to .292 against lefties. Perez has allowed at least two runs in every start and has a low 14.9 percent K rate against righties, meaning Zunino's 33.3 percent K rate may not be a factor.

FIRST BASE

Edwin Encarnacion, CLE at MIN ($4,700): Encarnacion started off somewhat slowly, but his numbers have popped as of late with a .474 wOBA and .295 ISO against lefties since May 1 (53 plate appearances). Adalberto Mejia is another lefty that has struggled with a 5.34 xFIP against righties and was lit up for eight runs and nine hits last start.

SECOND BASE

Eric Sogard, MIL vs. SD ($3,800): Sogard hasn't slowed down since getting called up and still sports a solid .447 wOBA and 7.8 percent K rate against righties. Dinelson Lamet has given up seven earned runs in each of his last two starts and the Brewers are the last team he wants to see. Lamet has allowed a .491 wOBA and 5.42 xFIP to lefties, making Sogard and Eric Thames a tough matchup at the top of Milwaukee's lineup.

THIRD BASE

Eduardo Escobar, MIN vs. CLE ($3,800): Most of Escobar's damage has come against lefties this season (.451 wOBA, .283 ISO) so I'll bank on that against Ryan Merritt, who hasn't pitched in the majors in 2017. Merritt had good numbers in limited work last season, but he's been mediocre in Triple-A this year with a 3.96 xFIP and 18.1 percent K rate.

SHORTSTOP

Brandon Crawford, SF at COL ($3,800): I'm not huge into lefty-lefty matchups, but at Coors Field for a cheaper price, Crawford's numbers suggest a good day. He's been much better against lefties with a .379 wOBA and .222 ISO and that showed up Thursday when he took lefty Jake McGee deep. Kyle Freeland has slightly better numbers against lefties, but still has a .316 wOBA allowed and 3.88 xFIP, which aren't quite dominant.

OUTFIELD

Charlie Blackmon, COL vs. SF ($5,600): At least one player from the Rockies has to be used and Blackmon isn't the last one I'm writing about. Blackmon is the perfect player because his numbers at Coors are much better with a smooth .528 wOBA and .457 ISO against righties. Matt Cain hasn't done many impressive things this year and is getting crushed by lefties with a 5.62 xFIP and 12.7 percent K rate.

Raimel Tapia, COL vs. SF ($3,800): Let's go back-to-back with the Rockies lefties, and Tapia is much cheaper. He doesn't have many appearances but has held onto his starting spot, roping in a few good games together with eight hits in his last three. In addition to Cain's struggles against lefties, he has given up 10 runs and 17 hits in his last two starts and doesn't have more than three Ks in his last five outings.

Nomar Mazara, TEX vs. SEA ($4,300): Mazara was rested Friday night and this is a great spot to regain his form. His .356 wOBA and .204 ISO against righties stand out, which should allow him to capitalize against Yovani Gallardo. The righty hurler has a 4.58 xFIP against lefties and is struggling to put in a good overall outing. Gallardo has allowed at least three runs in his last seven starts and has only 13 strikeouts in his last three outings.

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. Adam Zdroik plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: zdroik, DraftKings: rotozdroik, Yahoo: StreakMaster.