FanDuel MLB: Saturday Targets

FanDuel MLB: Saturday Targets

This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.

A slightly smaller 10-game slate awaits Saturday's main card, going off at 7:05 p.m EDT. It's a slate with a glaring lack of top arms, which should make for some diverse lineup decisions. There's a plethora of left-handed arms on the bat, further giving players ample hitting options.

Pitching

Zac Gallen, ARI at SFG ($10,000): The clear cash game answer, Gallen has a five-game floor of 27 FanDuel points (FDP), and has hit 40-plus FDP in three of his last four, giving him GPP appeal to boot. The Giants offense got off to a statistical hot start, and still only fan 21.8 percent of the time, but they've fallen to a  .306 wOBA, 95 wRC+ and .145 ISO. That seems to suggest plenty of stability.

Randy Dobnak, MIN at KAN ($7,200): Limited upside, but Dobnak has put up at least 18 FDP in every appearance, and 25-plus in four straight, including 25 in his last outing against these Royals. Kansas City is fanning 25.2 percent of the time against righties while posting a .302 wOBA, and there's limited combustibility in this lineup, giving Dobnak a safe floor.

Dustin May, LAD vs. COL ($7,000): Feast of famine for May, making him an ideal GPP target for the cost. He's thrown only 4.1 frames or less three times in five starts, but when he's efficient, he's fanned 10 across 12 innings, allowing just four runs against a sound Padres offense. The good version of May has 6x return potential.

Triston McKenzie, CLE vs. DET ($6,000): No one ever knows what to expect from a rookie making his debut, but the matchup seems to present well, as the Tigers are fanning 29.9 percent of the time while posting a meager 70 wRC+ and .273 wOBA. It seems to be the perfect spot for a first appearance for McKenzie, who had great ground ball and strikeout rates through Double-A before missing 2019 to injury.

Top Targets

Bryce Harper, PHI at ATL ($4,400): Harper took a mental and physical break Friday, but figures to be back in the saddle Saturday against a same-handed arm in Robbie Erlin, who made his first start against these Phillies 12 days ago and was shelled; a game where Harper went 2-for-3 with a long ball. Despite  28.0 percent K rate, Harper is off to a terrific start in general, and has a .590 wOBA, .279 ISO and .444 ISO against same-handed arms in 25 plate appearances to date.

Freddie Freeman, ATL vs. PHI ($3,700): Wheeler has struggled against the Braves, but a large portion of those struggles are on the I.L., leaving Freeman alone to carry some weight. He's 14-of-29 in his career against the familiar foe, homering twice while also walking 13 times. The power stroke hasn't been there for Freeman, but the BvP numbers suggest a greatly stable floor.

Value Bats

Hanser Alberto, BAL vs. BOS ($3,200): The sample size is small, as no Oriole has more than 17 ABs against lefties thus far, but Alberto is the "worst" of four with 10-plus appearances against opposite handed bats, posting a .469 wOBA. The lack of sustained success keeps us from stacking across the lineup, but Alberto's likely spot atop the order against Martin Perez seems to give him a stable floor over the likes of Pedro Severino, who is more power dependent.

A.J. Pollock, LAD vs. COL ($2,900): The LvR matchup against Kyle Freeland would normally have us targeting Mookie Betts, but he has slumped in this spot, bringing just a .208 wOBA to the table. That allows us to pivot to Pollock's .354 wOBA and .231 ISO against southpaws at a discount.

David Bote, CHC vs. CWS ($2,400): So long as Kris Bryant remains sidelined, Bote presents favorably, having hit safely in three of five. He brings an active team high .413 wOBA, 162 wRC+ and .368 ISO into Saturday with a favorable matchup against a targetable Gio Gonzalez.

Stacks to Consider

Indians vs. Matthew Boyd: Jose Ramirez ($4,000), Francisco Lindor ($3,400), Carlos Santana ($3,200)

Ramirez has stand alone value, checking in with a .453 wOBA, 188 wRC+ and .478 ISO against lefties to date, which pairs well with a 7-for-27, 2 HR career against Boyd. He probably should profile in the top target section above. Lindor and Santana have both found success against Boyd, a rarity for Lindor, who usually shows more power in LvR matchups, perhaps making him an overthought.

Diamondbacks vs. Tyler Anderson: Starling Marte ($3,500), Ketel Marte ($3,300), Christian Walker ($3,000)

Sometimes, stacking top of the order bats doesn't work, as one or another hits well, and you don't benefit across the stack. That shouldn't be the case here as the two Martes and Walker have combined for four homers to date. So they should be able to single and double Anderson to an exit. Walker's .364 wOBA is the lowest of this group, as is his 129 wRC+. His .222 ISO leads the way, further speaking to the lack of power — but this trio should feast against an arm that's allowing a 5.74 xFIP to righties.

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. Chris Bennett plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: k30kittles, DraftKings: k30kittles.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Bennett
Bennett covers baseball, college football and college basketball for RotoWire. Before turning to fantasy writing, he worked in scouting/player development for the Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos. He's also a fan of the ACC.
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