The offenses were slow to get going through the opening month, but it looks like some of these clubs are picking it up. The Reds have even been scoring recently, and that’s probably the most significant indicator that things have turned around. We’ve been playing DFS every day, and we’re pleased that the weather has been friendly over the last week. That was not the case last week, and we need to pray for clear skies on this Saturday slate! With that said, we’re going to focus on the main slate beginning at 7ET, so let’s dip into it!
Starting Pitcher Rankings
The offenses were slow to get going through the opening month, but it looks like some of these clubs are picking it up. The Reds have even been scoring recently, and that’s probably the most significant indicator that things have turned around. We’ve been playing DFS every day, and we’re pleased that the weather has been friendly over the last week. That was not the case last week, and we need to pray for clear skies on this Saturday slate! With that said, we’re going to focus on the main slate beginning at 7ET, so let’s dip into it!
Starting Pitcher Rankings
Starting Pitcher Strategy
The pitching on this slate is tough to navigate. There are no true aces on the mound, but a handful of guys are just on the cusp. Not all of them have great matchups, but it’s leaving us with some great value picks. One of the recommendations is a guy I’ve been fading for five years now, but some things change over time! Adapting to situations like that will make you a better fantasy player, and learning from losing is as important as anything else in this racket!
Cash Game Recommendations:
Zac Gallen (ARI) vs. CHC
I have never been a Gallen truther, but it’s hard to argue with what this guy is doing. Zac has a 0.95 ERA and 0.71 WHIP through his first five starts, picking up a quality start in three straight outings. He’s allowed just two runs in the three starts, which is scary since the Cubs have one of the worst lineups in baseball, sitting 23rd in K rate, 20th in OPS, and 21st in xwOBA.
Chris Bassitt (NYM) vs. SEA
Seattle looked like a scary offense in the early going, but regression has hit them like a wall. They enter this matchup losing nine of their last 11 games, scoring two runs or fewer in seven of those. That’s bad news against a guy like Bassitt, with the right-hander registering a 2.45 ERA and 0.95 WHIP this season. Citi Field has given us numerous breakout seasons from pitchers, and this looks like another one of them! We don’t mind that he’s throwing in a game with a 7-run total, either.
GPP Recommendations:
Michael Lorenzen (LAA) at OAK
Lorenzen is arguably the best hitting pitcher left, but he’s been doing more damage on the mound this year. The former reliever has a 4.13 ERA and 1.16 WHIP though his first five starts. That might not sound special, but it’s good enough against an offense like this. The A’s have the worst lineup in baseball from the eye test and currently rank dead-last in OBP, OPS, and xwOBA. Throwing in a pitcher’s park like Oakland Coliseum is the icing on the cake!
Kyle Hendricks (CHC) at ARI
Hendricks has been volatile this season, but it’s hard to overlook his most recent outing. The right-hander threw 8.2 scoreless innings against the Padres earlier in the week after throwing seven scoreless innings just two weeks ago. Performances like those make him a great GPP option because we’re talking about a guy with a 3.39 career ERA and 1.14 career WHIP. Facing off with Arizona is astounding, too, with the D’Backs ranked 24th in OBP, 25th in wOBA, and 26th in K rate.
Top Lineup Stacks
Using hitters in Coors Field is a cheat code. This park plays like a little league field, surrendering the most runs in baseball year after year. That’s scary since Colorado is off to an incredible start, leading the league in batting average. There’s no chance that Hernandez limits them at all, with the Royals righty totaling a 7.15 ERA and 1.90 WHIP this season. A quality start for Carlos would be one of the most shocking results of the season after that 14-10 football score on Friday!
It’s possible that Keuchel is done. This slow-throwing southpaw has a 6.86 ERA and 2.10 WHIP this season. That WHIP is genuinely extraordinary for a team like the Yankees because they have a ton of righty mashers. All of these guys have clobbered lefties throughout their career, and there’s no chance that Keuchel cruises through guys like Stanton, Judge, Donaldson, and Torres.
The Astros are always one of the best stacks on the board. This offense ranks sixth in xwOBA and fourth in home runs. They have one of the deepest lineups in baseball, and we don’t anticipate Fedde to slow them down. The Nationals pitcher has a 4.40 ERA and 1.43 WHIP this year. If he allows that many baserunners here, Fedde could be in for a quick night against this horrifying Houston lineup.
Core Studs
| POS |
PLAYER |
DK SALARY |
FD SALARY |
| OF |
Yordan Alvarez (HOU) |
$5,200 |
$3,700 |
| OF |
Aaron Judge (NYY) |
$5,800 |
$4,300 |
| OF |
Charlie Blackmon (COL) |
$5,600 |
$3,500 |
| OF |
Mike Trout (LAA) |
$4,800 |
$4,600 |
| OF |
Mookie Betts (LAD) |
$5,400 |
$4,100 |
- Yordan is unbelievable. The worst year this dude has had is an .834 OPS. That’s scary with the way he’s swinging the bat right now, amassing a .458 OBP and 1.200 OPS over his last 18 games played. He’s always been better against righties, too, and Fedde will have to battle to get this man out.
- Judge is having the best year of his career. The big man leads baseball with 11 dingers, generating a .655 SLG and 1.033 OPS. Those aren’t far off of his absurd career averages, and it’s hard to overlook Judge’s .383 OBP, .632 SLG, and 1.015 OPS against lefties since 2020. He’s killed Keuchel throughout their careers too, providing a 1.033 OPS in 15 at-bats against him.
- Blackmon is always one of the best options when he’s at home and facing a right-hander. Chuk Nazty is flirting with a .900 OPS at home and the same average against righties since 2018. That’s a huge run of dominance, and getting to face a rubbish righty like Hernandez makes him one heck of a play.
- Trout has been the best hitter in baseball for a decade, and he’s a core play on every slate. The masher leads baseball in OBP and SLG, accruing a ridiculous 1.188 OPS this season. That makes him worthy at any price, and he’s going to get a good matchup with whatever Triple-A arm Oakland decides to send out.
- Mook has struggled a bit this year, but this is still one of the best bats in baseball. He’s a near lock for a .400 OBP, .500 SLG, and .900 OPS atop the best lineup in baseball. Getting to face a lefty with a 1.50 WHIP only adds to his intrigue because that gives Betts the platoon advantage from the right side.
Value Plays/Punts
| POS |
PLAYER |
DK SALARY |
FD SALARY |
| OF |
Giancarlo Stanton (NYY) |
$4,900 |
$3,500 |
| 2B |
Whit Merrifield (KC) |
$4,500 |
$3,100 |
| OF |
Jordan Luplow (ARI) |
$4,100 |
$2,800 |
| 3B |
Josh Donaldson (NYY) |
$3,900 |
$3,000 |
| OF |
Jared Walsh (LAA) |
$4,300 |
$3,500 |
- Stanton is up to 10 homers on the year, compiling a .347 AVG, .826 SLG, and 1.279 OPS over his last 13 games played. We’ve seen this guy do that for months, and it’s hard to fade him when he’s tapping the ball, and it’s leaving the stadium. He’s also been much better against lefties throughout his career, and it makes him one of the best dinger bets on the board. Not to mention, he’s got a 1.566 OPS against Keuchel throughout their careers.
- Merrifield has been one of the worst hitters in baseball this season, but it’s just a matter of time before he starts going off. The speedster enters this matchup amid a modest four-game hitting streak but was moved up to the leadoff spot on Thursday. That’s a great sign, especially since he hits in Coors Field here. If he gets on as expected, he’ll swipe a bag after picking up 163 steals for his career.
- Luplow has been a sneaky pick of mine for years. This dude always demolishes lefties when given the opportunity, batting in the heart of the order in those spots. His career OPS is around .900 against them, providing a 1.304 OPS against them so far this season.
- Donaldson finally went yard on Thursday and Friday, and it looks like he’s starting to find it. He’s got a .410 OBP over his last nine games played, and that’s essentially who he’s been throughout his career against lefties.
- Walsh has been killing righties throughout his career. The lefty first baseman has a .384 OBP, .586 SLG, and .917 OPS against them since 2020. You can’t ask for any more from such a cheap player, and he should duplicate that against this Triple-A Oakland pitching staff.
Hitter Strategy
Stacking the Yankees and Rockies is going to be the way to go. I truly believe these two offenses will score 15 runs combined, and it should be fun to watch them feast in such fantastic matchups. That means you’ll have to save up at pitcher, but there’s plenty of opportunity for that.
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
