:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69106672/usa_today_15871712.0.jpg)
Saturday features a six-game main slate starting at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Let’s go position-by-position and break down everything you’ll need to know to set your lineups.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $150K Relay Throw [$50K to 1st]
For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Live app. You also can follow DK Live on Twitter @dklive.
PITCHER
Stud
Chris Paddack, San Diego Padres at Texas Rangers ($9,200) – Joe Musgrove made history for the Padres last night, pitching the first no-hitter in franchise history. Paddack has come close to that achievement in the past, and he takes the mound on Saturday vs. the Rangers. It’s an excellent matchup, with the Rangers ranking just 27th in wRC+ vs. right-handers last season. The Rangers’ implied team total of 4.0 runs is the second-lowest mark on the slate, and Paddack is also a sizable -174 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Other Options – Ian Anderson ($8,900), Zach Eflin ($8,300)
Value
Jeff Hoffman, Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks ($6,900) – Hoffman put together a strong first start this season, finishing with six strikeouts and just one earned run over five innings. The result was 23.45 DKFP at just $5,400.
He’s been priced up a bit following that outing, but he has a favorable matchup vs. the Diamondbacks. Their lineup wasn’t expected to be very good to begin with this season, and their best hitter is currently on the IL. Overall, their projected starting lineup has posted a .268 wOBA and 30.9% strikeout rate against right-handers over the past 12 months.
Other Options – Garrett Richards ($6,700), Riley Smith ($6,200)
CATCHER
Stud
Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals ($4,400) – We’re still not sure who is actually going to be starting for the Nationals, but that probably doesn’t bode well for his success vs. the Dodgers. The Dodgers lineup is an absolute juggernaut, rankings first in wRC+ vs. right-handers and eighth vs. left-handers last season.
Their lineup is absolutely loaded with big names, but don’t sleep on Smith. He’s been an outstanding hitter for a catcher since arriving in the big leagues, posting a 132 wRC+ in 2019 and increasing that figure to 163 in 2020. He’s off to another fantastic start this season, racking up a 201 wRC+ with two home runs through his first six games. Expect him to have the advantage vs. whoever gets the ball for the Nationals.
Other Options – Travis d’Arnaud ($4,600)
Value
Alejandro Kirk, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels ($2,700) – Kirk is still getting his feet wet at the MLB level, but he entered the season as the No. 74 prospect in the league. He’s known as someone who can do some damage with the bat, and he’ll be on the positive side of his splits tonight vs. Jose Quintana ($7,800). The Blue Jays also lead the slate with an implied team total of 5.6 runs.
Other Options – Danny Jansen ($3,400), Tucker Barnhart ($3,100)
FIRST BASE
Stud
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels ($4,800) – Guerrero is poised for a monster season. He’s in the best shape of his life, which should strike fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers. He was once considered the top overall prospect in baseball, and he’s posted a 219 wRC+ through his first eight games this season. He’s posted a .411 wOBA and .364 ISO against southpaws over the past 12 months, so he has the advantage over Quintana in this matchup.
Other Options – Trey Mancini ($4,700), Shohei Ohtani ($4,600)
Value
Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks ($4,000) – Votto isn’t the same hitter that he was during his prime, but he’s still capable of making things happen vs. right-handed pitchers. Votto posted a 121 wRC+ in those matchups last season, and nine of his 11 home runs came against right-handed pitchers.
Votto also benefits from hitting in the middle of one of the best lineups in baseball. He is surrounded by guys who can absolutely rake, and the Reds lead the league with an average of 9.0 runs per game so far this season.
Other Options – Albert Pujols ($3,300), Bobby Dalbec ($3,200)
SECOND BASE
Stud
Marcus Semien, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels ($4,600) – Let’s keep on rolling with the Blue Jays. Semien has blossomed into one of the better shortstops in baseball – he finished third in the AL MVP voting in 2019 – and he’s put his power on display in his first year with the Blue Jays. He’s clubbed three home runs through his first eight games and has historically displayed much more power against left-handed pitchers. He posted a .265 ISO vs. southpaws last season after posting a mark of .230 in those matchups in 2019. Semien should also occupy the leadoff spot vs. Quintana, which makes him a prime target.
Other Options – David Fletcher ($4,500), Jake Cronenworth ($4,300)
Value
Kiké Hernández, Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles ($4,100) – Hernández is also expected to occupy the leadoff spot on Sunday, and he will also be on the positive side of his splits. He’s taking on Orioles left-hander Bruce Zimmermann ($7,500), and Hernández has historically done very well against southpaws. He’s posted a 119 wRC+ vs. left-handers throughout his career, and Zimmermann has posted a 6.78 FIP vs. right-handed batters in his short MLB career.
Other Options – Marwin Gonzalez ($3,600), Jonathan India ($3,500)
THIRD BASE
Stud
Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels at Toronto Blue Jays ($4,800) – The Angels are off to one of their best starts in recent memory, and they rank fifth in the league in runs per game. Blue Jays left-hander Steven Matz ($8,700) got off to a great start this season, but he’ll face a stiff test in this matchup.
Rendon is one player in particular who he could struggle with. Matz allowed right-handed batters to post a .448 wOBA last season, and Rendon has historically been at his best against left-handed pitchers. He’s posted a 142 wRC+ vs. southpaws throughout his career, including a .403 wOBA and .270 ISO in those matchups over the past 12 months.
Other Options – Manny Machado ($5,500), Cavan Biggio ($4,400)
Value
Maikel Franco, Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox ($3,900) – Franco was once a highly-regarded prospect, but he’s never lived up to the billing at the MLB level. That said, he did post one of the best seasons of his career with the Royals in 2020, and Garrett Richards ($6,700) is not a particularly imposing pitcher. He was lit up in his first start this season, allowing six earned runs over just two innings, and he posted a 4.58 FIP with the Padres last season. It seems like a good day to pay up at the position, but Franco has some appeal if you need to save some money.
SHORTSTOP
Stud
Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels ($4,800) – The Blue Jays are the clear top target on today’s slate, and Bichette might be their best option. He dominated as a rookie in 2019, posting a 142 wRC+, and he’s been ridiculously good against left-handed pitchers throughout his career. He’s posted a 156 wRC+ and a .242 ISO in those matchups.
Other Options – Xander Bogaerts ($5,500), Eugenio Suárez ($4,400)
Value
Josh Rojas, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Cincinnati Reds ($3,900) – Shortstop is another position without a ton of value options on Saturday. Rojas has never been a particularly good hitter, but at least he’ll be on the positive side of his splits vs. Hoffman. Hoffman has posted fewer strikeouts and more walks against left-handed batters, so Rojas has the potential to get on base a few times in this matchup.
Other Options – José Iglesias ($3,700), Ha-Seong Kim ($3,000)
OUTFIELD
Stud
Jesse Winker, Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks ($4,200) – Winker is not a lock to play on Saturday after leaving Friday’s game due to leg cramps, but he possesses elite upside for his price if he’s in the lineup. He has absolutely crushed right-handed pitching throughout his career, and he posted a 148 wRC+ and .304 ISO in those matchups last season. He deserves to be priced at closer to $5k when facing a righty, so he’s an elite option at $4,200 at the top of the Reds’ lineup.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Winker is not in the lineup for tonight’s game vs. the Diamondbacks.
Other Options – Mike Trout ($5,900), J.D. Martinez ($5,600)
Value
Jurickson Profar, San Diego Padres at Texas Rangers ($3,200) – The Padres are dealing with a massive loss at the moment. Fernando Tatis Jr. is sidelined with a shoulder injury, and Profar has been one of the biggest beneficiaries. He’s moved way up in their lineup, and he will bat second vs. Rangers right-hander Jordan Lyles ($6,000). Lyles was one of the worst pitchers in baseball last season, posting a paltry 5.62 strikeouts per nine innings and a 7.02 ERA.
Other Options – Lourdes Gurriel ($3,600), Hunter Renfroe ($3,500)
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $150K Relay Throw [$50K to 1st]
Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is mlamarca) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER(NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF(IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.