Jared Contestabile 
It’s Saturday, and you know what that means. Baseball all damn day! The first game of the day starts at 1:10 ET, and we end the action with a 10:10 first pitch in San Diego when the Cubs take on the Padres. Let’s start the weekend off right!
MLB DFS Aces
Sonny Gray vs Cleveland Guardians
Sonny Gray isn’t blowing anyone away, but is averaging just over a strikeout per inning this season (69 in 60 IP). He has kept runners off the bases (1.19 WHIP), and has allowed ZERO home runs. The Guardians don’t hit many anyway, as they are one of the more power-averse teams in MLB.
Overall, Gray has been fantastic this season, and is listed as a -140 favorite in a game with just a 7.5 run total. Cleveland is 29th in runs scored, 24th in AVG, 27th in OBP, 30th in SLG, 29th in OPS, and 30th in HR. Gray should have no problem putting up another quality start here at home.
MacKenzie Gore vs Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are in a close competition with the Chicago White Sox for biggest disappointment this season. They have now lost five straight, and are coming in to face a pitcher who is coming off the best start of his young career.
Gore punched out 11 Royals over 7 strong innings in his last outing, and while that may be tough to replicate, the Phillies have been a dumpster fire. Over their last six games, they have scored 2, 4, 0, 1, 2, and 7 runs. Gore has 74 strikeouts over 58 innings of work, and if he can navigate Bryce Harper, I’m not too concerned about the rest of this lineup. There is some inherent risk here, but the upside is lovely.
Eury Perez vs Oakland Athletics
I mentioned earlier how bad the Guardians have been on offense this season, and the Athletics are the only team who has been worse. Young Eury Perez catches my eye here. He has been solid in his short time in the majors, posting a 19/10 K/BB over 19 innings of work with a 1.21 WHIP.
He hasn’t pitched more than five innings yet, and I don’t expect him to pitch much deeper than that here either way. That said, he is a -200 favorite in a pitcher’s park against the worst offense in baseball. He has had some command issues lately, but the punchout potential is what I’m chasing here. A solid 5-6 innings with a strikeout per inning would be fantastic here.
MLB DFS Stacks
Atlanta Braves vs Ryne Nelson
If there is any disagreement that the Braves are the best offense in baseball…I’m here to argue with you. One look at the statcast data from this team and it is absolutely terrifying. Nelson actually posted a couple solid outings against the Phillies and A’s, but came back down to earth with his last performance in Coors Field. He has a 1.44 WHIP and 5.37 ERA on the season. He has just a 37/18 K/BB over 57 innings.
Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Austin Riley, and Sean Murhpy make for an elite stack at the top of this lineup. You could chase some power with the biggest piece of garbage in MLB with Marcell Ozuna as well. At least he is hitting baseballs now instead of women. Go Braves!
Toronto Blue Jays vs Tylor Megill
If you want baserunners, you have come to the right place. Megill hands out bases like those guys in Vegas hand out those little business cards. You know the ones I’m talking about. Anyway, Megill has a pathetic 1.59 WHIP across 54 innings of work, and has allowed 33 runs (28 earned).
The Blue Jays overall have struggled, but a few bats jump off the page again. Matt Chapman continues to barrel up the ball, Bo Bichette is hitting like a guy twice his size, and Vlad Jr. is always a threat. I always love some Daulton Varsho due to his versatility as well, and George Springer found the seats last night also. Blue Jays will have opportunities, let’s hope for some big innings.
Kansas City Royals vs Austin Gomber
One of the worst starters in MLB, Gomber has been lit up all season long. He carries a 7 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, a 34/22 K/BB and 12 HR allowed in 54 innings of work. The Royals are constantly overlooked, but this isn’t the spot to turn a blind eye.
Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, MJ Melendez, the ageless Salvador Perez are my top targets. I’m a big fan of a wraparound stack also if Drew Waters is hitting 9th. Don’t expect a lot of power (although he did find the seats last night), but that kid can swing the bat. Get some Royals in your life!
MLB DFS Summary
Gomber, Megill, there are so many exploitable pitchers on the mound. I’ll be looking to combo Royals/Braves, Jays in my stacks and pick my spots with some value bats from the bottom of lineups.
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!
