Justin Elick 
The evening slate features five games starting at 6:40 ET. Let’s find some values and upside so we can cash in before NFL this weekend!
MLB DFS Aces
Logan Gilbert vs Texas Rangers
Gilbert has the unenviable task of facing a tough Rangers lineup in the heat of a playoff race. That said, he has been fantastic this season, and our options on this short slate are limited. His last time out against this team went very, very well. He struck out 10 over 6.2 innings of work while allowing just 2 ER. That start was all the way back in May, but the upside is there.
Gilbert has asserted himself as a solid pitcher who doesn’t allow many baserunners. He has just a 1.08 WHIP on the season, and 182 punchouts in 179 innings of work.
The Mariners look ready to roll into the postseason, and Gilbert is a solid play tonight,
Connor Phillips vs Pittsburgh Pirates
The Reds are limping toward a potential playoff spot, but Phillips is cheap and has some upside in this spot. His last start was fantastic, striking out 7 over 7 innings of work while allowing just 2 ER against the Twins. The Pirates offense has been hot, but is mostly devoid of top-tier talent.
There aren’t a lot of cheaper options that I feel decent about on this slate, but Phillips fits the bill against a Pirates lineup that is ultimately a below average one.
Clayton Kershaw vs San Fransisco Giants
The Giants have seen their playoff hopes diminish to a dying heartbeat. They need a win in the worst way. Perennial Giants killer and future HOF pitcher Clayton Kershaw doesn’t give much confidence to their chances here. Kershaw has only pitched no more than 5 innings since his return, but there is plenty of time for him to return value here.
The Dodgers will likely keep his pitch count in check here, but this is a Giants team that strikes out at a high rate, and the Dodgers would love nothing more than to bury their nemesis on their way to the playoffs.
Kershaw isn’t a must play by any means, but our options are limited, so he is in play here.
MLB DFS Stacks
San Diego Padres vs Jake Woodford
The Padres are getting hot, but it is too little, too late. That doesn’t matter for MLB DFS, and we are rolling with the Padres to smash a bad pitcher here. Woodford owns a 5.31 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in a 42.1 inning sample this season.
Sign me up.
Give me Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Xander Bogaerts, and Ha-Seong Kim here.
This team is going down swinging (finally), and I’m all aboard the Padres train, even though I don’t believe the leash for Woodford will be very long. The Cardinals’ bullpen hasn’t exactly been great either.
Houston Astros vs Jordan Lyles
This one is obvious. The Astros are a top-tier offense facing one of the worst starters in MLB. Lyles has shown some signs of life, but overall his numbers are still pretty terrible. He sports a 6.43 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 38 HR allowed on the season.
Bombs away.
You all know I love Yordan Alvarez, but Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Jeremy Pena, the old man Jose Altuve, and even Jose Abreu are in play here.
Lyles loves to give up the longball at a historic pace, and the Astros will take advantage.
Cincinnati Reds vs Bailey Falter
Call me a homer if you want, but the Reds are in a good spot here. Falter is a contact pitcher who has just 59 strikeouts in 78.2 innings of work this season with a 4.58 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. The Reds are desperate for a win at this point, and their young lineup has plenty of upside here.
Spencer Steer, Elly De La Cruz, Joey Votto, TJ Friedl are my favorite targets here. The whole offense is in play here, as the ceiling is the limit here. Falter is an average pitcher at best, and the Reds are going to make some noise tonight.
MLB DFS Summary
Lots of bad pitching to take advantage of on Saturday night, let’s make some cash!
Find the team in the Win Daily Discord channel 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’s chat!
