Due to Labor Day weekend, MLB‘s Saturday schedule contains more afternoon matchups than usual. DraftKings divides the action into separate slates, allowing gamers to pick their poison.
More of an early riser? Take a look at some of the best values over the six afternoon games. Rather sleep in or watch college football during the afternoon? Fine, scroll past the early bargains for evening discounts.
Want to play both? Cool. Either way, both slates feature high-priced aces (Jake Arrieta and David Price early, Felix Hernandez and Danny Salazar later) worth a look. Anyone building around those expensive studs will need to pinch pennies elsewhere, and these guys will greatly help the cause.
Afternoon
SP Nathan Eovaldi ($7,300), New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays
On one hand, Nathan Eovaldi is the world’s luckiest pitcher, sporting a meaningless 14-2 record despite his 4.12 ERA. Then again, the New York Yankees righty also carries a superb 3.43 fielding independent pitching (FIP), more aptly represented by a 3.32 ERA over his past 13 starts.
Several daily players probably turned his way against the Atlanta Braves, and he betrayed that trust by surrendering five runs. But before abandoning the hard-thrower, he is finally generating some whiffs, striking out 22 batters through his last three outings.
He’ll get another crack at conquering an easy opponent, as the Tampa Bay Rays place No. 25 in weighted on-base average (wOBA) against righties. Oddly enough, Eovaldi has shined inside Yankee Stadium, posting a 3.08 ERA and .283 wOBA at home. He’s the best mid-tier starter to pair with Arrieta or Price.
Stack: Philadelphia Phillies at Boston Red Sox (LHP Wade Miley)
Heading into their joust with Wade Miley, the Philadelphia Phillies have a dirt-cheap trio of sluggers who have torched lefties in small sample sizes:
Cameron Rupp has at least garnered some attention for clubbing seven homers since the All-Star break, but he’s still affordable given the recent power barrage. A .942 OPS hasn’t, however, drawn much notice to Andres Blanco.
Darin Ruf is the purest platoon play, which is why he’s a near minimum-price option at $2,200. Possessing a 4.57 ERA and .784 OPS against righties, Miley is a vulnerable target these hot Phillies can rough up on the road.
OF Chris Young ($2,700), New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are turning back to Matt Moore, who issued a 8.78 ERA in six starts before getting demoted. Chris Young, registering a .600 slugging percentage against lefties, will gladly welcome back the southpaw at Yankee Stadium.
Despite falling back to earth in August, the outfielder is too cheap to not target with a matchup firmly in his favor.
Evening
SP Derek Holland ($7,200), Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels used to be good, right? Even after scoring 20 runs in a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics, a once-dangerous offense has been one of baseball’s worst over the last 30 days.
They’ve also struggled against lefties all year, ranking No. 27 in wOBA. What great timing for Derek Holland, who is coming off a complete-game shutout against the Baltimore Orioles. ESPN Stats & Info noted the rarity of his gem:
In three starts since returning from the disabled list, the Texas Rangers southpaw has collected 20 strikeouts to one walk. Coming off the best start of his career, Holland is worth a roll of the dice on the road at $7,200.
Stack: Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels (RHP Jered Weaver)
Since June 1, Jered Weaver has relinquished 39 runs and nine homers through 58 innings. Lefties are slugging .502 against the deteriorating Angels veteran, but Texas sluggers remain cheap:
After missing five games with an injured finger, Rougned Odor returned to the lineup Monday. That’s more than enough time to remember the second baseman is hitting .323 with 10 homers since getting called back up June 15.
Mitch Moreland offers a .875 OPS against righties, and Shin-Soo Choo doesn’t trail far behind at .874. These guys would all warrant price tags north of $4,500 at home, so take the considerable discounts away from Arlington.
If he starts, rookie bopper Joey Gallo is also a low-risk tournament gamble at $2,800. He has racked up an astronomical 48 strikeouts in 105 plate appearances, but when he makes contact, it’s solid (51.1 hard-hit percentage).
1B Justin Morneau ($3,600) and/or 1B/OF Ben Paulsen ($3,400) Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants
For cheap Coors Field exposure, check the Colorado Rockies’ lineup to see which left-handed first baseman starts against Jake Peavy. Whether it’s Ben Paulsen or the returning Justin Morneau, there’s great value to attain.
Replacing Morneau, who’s been out since May with a concussion, Paulsen has posted an .851 OPS at home and .837 OPS against righties. When both factors align, it’s his time to shine.
Those days, however, could be over with the former MVP playing Friday night. Before getting sidelined, the 34-year-old was hitting .390/.419/.610 at Coors a year after utilizing the hitter’s park to a .327/.363/.515 slash line. Colorado may not play him in back-to-back games so soon, so keep an eye out for the lineup card.
If the Rockies stick Paulsen in left field for the second straight night, go ahead and play both.
Note: All advanced statistics are courtesy of FanGraphs. Prices obtained from DraftKings.com.
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