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MLB will kick off the weekend with a 15-game slate that’ll begin in the early afternoon with a matchup between the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox at 2:10 p.m. ET. The final matchup of the day between the New York Mets and San Diego Padres will begin at 10:10 p.m. ET. There’s plenty to keep track of in between these matchups, though. Let’s go over the best games, fantasy options, and rookies to watch ahead of Saturday’s first pitch.
Best Games To Watch
The Los Angeles Dodgers are third in the National League West and will look to gain ground against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. Clayton Kershaw will get the start and face off against a Braves team that leads MLB with 85 home runs. Los Angeles has a superstar rotation, but Atlanta can make things interesting by hitting for power.
MLB’s two best scoring defenses will be part of the Mets-Padres game, and baseball fans are in for a top-tier pitching battle. Jacob deGrom will face off against Joe Musgrove. deGrom only has eight starts so far because of an injury but boasts .57 WHIP and .71 ERA. Musgrove has a .76 WHIP and a .212 BABIP through 11 starts. If New York and San Diego play like they usually do, runs will be hard to come by. The Padres won the first two games of the four-game series, but deGrom can even the playing field on the mound.
Fantasy Spotlight
The Lions and White Sox combined to score 17 runs on Saturday and there shouldn’t be a shortage of offense on Saturday. Chicago’s a top-five team in hits and runs. Several of its hitters are riding hot streaks. Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada, and Yermin Mercedes can be a lethal trio at the plate and they’ll be up against Tarik Skubal, who has given up 13 home runs in 11 starts.
Rookies to Watch
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Pavin Smith saw his six-game hitting streak end with an 0-for-3 outing against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday and has been dominant at the plate all season. The first baseman leads all rookies with 59 hits.
MLB regular season schedule for Saturday, June 5th
If no streaming option is listed, game is available on MLB.tv pending blackout restrictions.
Tigers vs. White Sox, 2:10 p.m. ET
Reds vs. Cardinals, 2:15 p.m. ET
Astros vs. Blue Jays, 3:07 p.m. ET
Indians vs. Orioles, 4:05 p.m. ET
Marlins vs. Pirates, 4:05 p.m. ET
Rays vs. Rangers, 4:05 p.m. ET
Nationals vs. Phillies, 4:05 p.m. ET
Diamondbacks vs. Brewers, 4:10 p.m. ET
Twins vs. Royals, 4:10 p.m. ET
Red Sox vs. Yankees, 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
Cubs vs. Giants, 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
Dodgers vs. Braves, 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
Athletics vs. Rockies, 9:10 p.m. ET
Mariners vs. Angels, 10:07 p.m. ET, ESPN+
Mets vs. Padres, 10:10 p.m. ET
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