As usual, there are games and slates all day on Saturday. Early action begins at 12:10 ET for the all day slate, and wraps up with a 9:10 first pitch in Los Angeles. Let’s get going!
MLB DFS Aces
Kevin Gausman vs Seattle Mariners
Gausman is listed as a huge favorite in this on, and for good reason. He continues to pump out solid starts in 2023, and now has 41 punchouts in just 34 innings of work. His last time out was a 7-inning, 3-hit performance against the Yankees. He struck out 11 and didn’t walk a batter. That’s his second 11-K game i his last two outings.
Seattle has some massive pieces in their lineup, but they haven’t put the pieces together just yet in 2023. They rank 20th in runs scores, 25th in hits, 27th in BA, 27th in OBP, the list goes on. Gasman and the Jays are -220 with a total of 8.5 in this one. He seems as solid of an option to click as there is for Saturday.
Hunter Greene vs Oakland Athletics
Yes, Greene has had some struggles in the early going, but strikeouts are the name of the game. He now has totaled a 17/2 K/BB over his last three starts. Over that span, he has totaled 15 innings with just four earned runs.
Oakland’s offense is scaring nobody but their fans, as their only upside has been HR (13th) and SB (4th). They are 20th or worse in BA, OBP, SLG, and OPS. I’ll roll out Greene and his big strikeout upside against the A’s.
Christian Javier vs Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have been on a solid winning streak of late, but this is still an offense missing some major pieces. Javier is fresh off dominating starts against the Braves and Blue Jays, totaling 11 IP, allowing just 6 hits, 2 ER, and a 15/4 K/BB.
Philadelphia is an offense that is overachieving right now, and I think Javier has his way with them. He limits baserunners (1.07 WHIP), so his propensity to allow the longball shouldn’t hurt him here.
(Spencer Strider may be the best pitcher on the planet right now…I didn’t exclude him for no reason. He is an elite play at all times, I’m here to mix things up! If you have the salary, Strider needs to be a priority. He is a cheat code right now.)
MLB DFS Stacks
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Patrick Corbin
Happy Patrick Corbin day! I did a quick check, and yes, Patrick Corbin is still terrible. His recent results have actually been solid against the Guardians and Twins, but…not for me. I’m ready to attack early and often with the surprise team of the year.
Bryan Reynolds, fresh off his new contract, leads the way for my stack. Andrew McCutcheon has turned back the clock, Jack Suwinski is doing it all with power and speed. Those are my top targets, but I’m all aboard the Pirate ship depending on how the lineup goes. Ke’Bryan Hayes? Yes please.
Toronto Blue Jays vs Chris Flexen
I mentioned above how Gausman and company are big favorites. That isn’t all Gausman. This lineup is in a great spot here against Flexen. He is a contact pitcher who has a tendency to get blown up when he isn’t hitting his spots. He has just 14 K and 11 BB over 21.1 IP.
He has served up 18 ER over his last three starts, and I’m expecting a big number here again. Vladdy Daddy is at the top of the list, the hot-hitting Matt Chapman, Bo Bichette, and Daulton Varsho round out my top four. Get yourself some shares, this one may get ugly. Jays run line is looking mighty nice!
Cleveland Guardians vs Bryan Bello
Bello has simply looked outmatched at the MLB level this season. In 7.1 innings of work, he has a 9.82 ERA, 2.18 WHIP, and has served up two home runs. This is a Guardians team simply devoid of power right now (15 total HR in 2023), but I’m all for the stack here anyway.
Jose Ramirez, the struggling Josh Naylor and Josh Bell, Andres Gimenez, Steven Kwan, and Amed Rosario are at the top of the list. I won’t be surprised to see Cleveland hang a few on him in the opening frame here.
MLB DFS Summary
Let’s start the weekend off strong!
Find the team in the Discord and let’s chat about some plays!
Good luck and hope to see you in the green.
Check me out on Twitter @BigItaly42 and let me know who you are playing tonight! Always around to talk some MLB!