From an injury perspective, it’s been a nightmarish week, but we keep chugging along. This is the point of the season when the good teams stomp on the gas, and many of the bad teams fall out of contention. It’s wild to see some of the losing streaks these bad teams are going on right now, with the New York Mets being one of the biggest disappointments.
With that said, let’s dive into this Saturday’s MLB slate! Here are our top MLB picks and player prop bets for Saturday’s slate of baseball games.
From an injury perspective, it’s been a nightmarish week, but we keep chugging along. This is the point of the season when the good teams stomp on the gas, and many of the bad teams fall out of contention. It’s wild to see some of the losing streaks these bad teams are going on right now, with the New York Mets being one of the biggest disappointments.
With that said, let’s dive into this Saturday’s MLB slate! Here are our top MLB picks and player prop bets for Saturday’s slate of baseball games.
Saturday’s MLB DFS & Player Props Picks
Saturday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Ranger Suarez (PHI) vs. STL
Suarez had his worst start of the season in Coors Field last week, but he was unhittable before that. The lefty didn’t allow more than three runs in any of his first 10 starts, tallying a 1.75 ERA and 0.82 WHIP. He’s also scored at least 27 FanDuel points in all 11 starts and should thrive in a home matchup with St. Louis. The Cardinals rank 20th in wOBA and 26th in runs scored.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) vs. COL
We weren’t so sure this guy would be the real deal after a stinker in his debut, but he’s been one of the best pitchers in baseball since then. The righty has scored at least 23 FanDuel points in 10 straight starts, generating a 2.79 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 10.4 K/9 rate in that span. That’s rough for the Rockies because Colorado ranks at the bottom in runs scored and OPS on the road in three straight seasons! That has Yoshi entering this magical matchup as a -350 favorite!
Kyle Bradish (BAL) vs. TB
Bradish looks incredible since coming off of the IL. The young righty broke out last season with a 2.83 ERA and 1.04 WHIP but has topped it this year with a 1.75 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. He’s also coming off a career-high 64 FanDuel points in his most recent start, and Tampa’s offense isn’t as terrifying as it used to be. The Rays rank 24th in K rate, 26th in wOBA, and 28th in xwOBA, with Bradish entering this matchup as a -180 favorite.
Ben Lively (CLE) vs. WAS
The Guardians have been the biggest surprise in baseball, and Lively has been a massive boost in the backend of their rotation. The righty has scored at least 25 FanDuel points in all but one start, compiling a 2.80 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. That’s all you can ask for from such an affordable player, especially in a home matchup with Washington. The Nats sit 23rd in xwOBA and 24th in runs scored.
MLB DFS Picks: Suggested Lineup Stacks
Detmers looked like a breakout candidate early on, but he’s been one of the worst pitchers in baseball since then. He’s allowed at least three runs in seven straight starts, tallying an 8.59 ERA and 1.72 WHIP in that span. We would use any offense against such a poor pitcher, especially since Detmers had a 6.89 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in three starts against the Mariners last year.
This Atlanta offense has been playing below expectations, but it’s still one of the best lineups in baseball. Despite playing poorly, they were first in nearly every offensive matric last season and are still seventh in OBP this year. That’s terrifying for Aaron Brooks, amassing a 6.29 career ERA and 1.51 WHIP.
MLB DFS Picks: Core Studs
- Ramirez leads the league in RBI, and it’s scary how hot this All-Star is right now. J-Ram has a .404 OBP and 1.202 OPS across his last 23 games, providing 11 homers, 31 RBI, and four steals in that span. He’s also got much better splits against southpaws, sporting a .384 OBP and 1.013 OPS against them this season. Mitchell Parker is also due for some negative regression, registering a 4.18 ERA and 1.40 WHIP throughout his minor league career.
- If we’re going to stack Seattle, we have to use J-Rod. He’s been their best hitter since his call-up, and he was ranked second in fantasy points in the second half of last season. We’re seeing glimpses of him returning to that, totaling a 1.040 OPS in his six-game hitting streak. He also has a .835 OPS with the platoon advantage in his favor!
- Marte has quietly been one of the best second basemen in the NL, collecting a .788 OPS. Where he’s done most of his damage is against left-handers, maintaining a .999 OPS against lefties this year. We love Marte’s splits against Sean Manaea, maintaining a .370 OBP and .890 OPS in 27 at-bats against him.
- Harris has been a disappointment this season, but a move to the leadoff spot is just what could get him going. He’s been moved up because of the Ronald Acuna injury, but Harris would be a leadoff hitter on any other team. The outfielder has 42 homers and 48 steals across just 306 games, generating a .837 OPS against righties in that span.
MLB DFS Picks: Value Plays/Punts
- France has always been a standout in hard-hit metrics, and we’re encouraged by his recent production. The third baseman has a .804 OPS across his last 20 games. That’s all you can ask for from such an affordable player, especially since he has the platoon advantage against a struggling Detmers. France has a .373 OBP against lefties this year!
- This Texas team has disappointed, but it’s not Duran’s fault. This utility man has been a stud recently, providing a .408 OBP and .853 OPS over his last 14 games. Most of that damage has come against southpaws, with Duran posting a .819 OPS against them since the start of last year. This is a lackluster lefty, too, with Ryan Weathers amassing a 5.10 career ERA and 1.40 WHIP.
- Vierling has been leading off for the Tigers and should thrive against Cooper Criswell. The Red Sox righty has a 4.19 ERA, with Vierling providing a 1.243 OPS across his last 11 outings. Most of that damage has been done to right-handers, generating a .864 OPS against them this year.
- Martinez missed the opening month after being a late addition to the team, but this has been one of the most consistent bats in the last decade. That’s why he’s batting cleanup for the Mets, accumulating a .286 AVG and .872 OPS throughout his career. His splits against southpaws are even more spectacular, sporting a .274 ISO, .375 OBP, and .954 OPS with the platoon advantage in his favor! He’s also homered in back-to-back games!
Xxday’s Top 3 Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks Player Props
Reid Detmers: 4.5 Hits Allowed – Higher
Detmers has allowed more than 4.5 hits in seven of his last eight starts, surrendering 6.8 hits per game in that span. That’s scary against the hottest team in baseball!
Matt Olson: Over 1.5 Total Bases – Higher
Olson needs one extra-base hit to clear this prop, clearing this total in three of his last five games!
Joe Musgrove: 4.0 Strikeouts – Higher
Musgrove has really struggled this season, but he’s looked like a different player since coming off the IL. He had at least five Ks in nine of his final 10 starts last year and should reach this at ease as long as he makes it through five innings.
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
