Saturday's MLB Main Slate begins at 7:05 PM Eastern time and features seven games. Below, you'll find which individual pitchers and hitters are primed to provide the best value, as well as the top lineup stacking options in this slate.
Pitching Overview
The top pitching tier contains two All Stars making their last starts before the break in Gerrit Cole ($59) against the Angels and Lucas Giolito ($50) against the Cubs. Both should be worth paying up for given their first-half success.
For owners looking to save some money on the mound, Miles Mikolas ($35) will be an enticing option in San Francisco. Mikolas has seen his ERA climb to 4.34 after posting a 2.83 mark last season, and his strikeout rate comes in at just 17.4 percent, but the right-hander has an ideal matchup against the Giants' 29th-ranked home offense at 3.33 runs per game.
The White Sox actually own this slate's second-worst offense after the Giants at 22nd with 4.43 runs per game. Cubs' southpaw Jon Lester ($38) is primed to capitalize on this favorable matchup after recently regaining his form. Lester has posted a 15:2 K:BB while allowing just three runs in 11.2 innings over his past two starts, and his strikeout rate this season registers at a robust 23.8 percent.
Value Plays/Chalk
The Astros, Athletics and Rockies are all primed to beat up on hittable lefties, but there are also some hitters that stand out as options to target outside of those stackable lineups.
Pete Alonso ($24) has been one of the few bright spots for the Mets, as the rookie first baseman has been a home run machine with 29 in 87 games. He doesn't come cheap but has monstrous upside against Philadelphia's Jake Arrieta, who has allowed 1.56 HR/9 this season - including nine home runs in 33.2 innings over his last six starts.
Opposing Alonso will be established left-handed slugger and outfielder Bryce Harper ($19), who has heated up recently with a pair of long balls, six runs and seven RBI in his past six games. Harper's recent surge should continue against Mets righty Noah Syndergaard, who's struggled to a 4.56 ERA and has allowed eight runs - including seven earned - in 11.2 innings over his past two starts.
If you don't believe in Lester or don't have the money for Alonso, White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu ($18) could be a nice alternative at the position considering his wOBA tops .400 against left-handed pitching.
Stacks
Astros vs. Andrew Heaney (Angels)
Jose Altuve (2B - $17), George Springer (OF - $23), Robinson Chirinos (C - $17)
Houston's potent lineup should have a field day against Heaney, whose 5.39 FIP suggests his 5.40 ERA isn't due for improvement. Altuve boasts a tremendous .454 wOBA against lefties, while Springer sits just below the .400 mark. Chirinos has a .374 wOBA within that split and fills the light-hitting catcher position.
Athletics vs. Marco Gonzales (Mariners)
Marcus Semien (SS - $19), Khris Davis (OF -$11), Mark Canha (OF - $15)
Oakland's righty-laden lineup will likely find success against the left-handed Gonzales, who has slumped to a 6.00 ERA in 48 innings at T-Mobile Park. Semien leads off and sports a .362 wOBA against southpaws. Davis' wOBA in that split is over .400 on the road, as is Canha's.
Rockies vs. Robbie Ray (Diamondbacks)
Nolan Arenado (3B - $18), Ian Desmond (OF - $18), Trevor Story (SS - $23)
Ray (4.10 ERA, 3.99 FIP) represents another vulnerable southpaw, and the Rockies should still produce plenty of fireworks at Chase Field even though they won't have the home park effect. Arenado and Desmond have been two of the league's most dangerous hitters against left-handed pitching, with each producing a wOBA over .430 in that split. Story has been able to take his success against lefties beyond Coors Field, posting a .421 road wOBA in that split this season.
