This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
There are two pitchers that tower above the rest in Saturday night's slate and I took the bold approach in suggesting one. To help form a lineup, I focused on a bunch of value bats with none coming in over 17 bucks.
PITCHER
Justin Verlander, HOU vs. TEX ($59): I don't like recommending the highest-priced pitcher, but Verlander is almost a guarantee to hit 25 fantasy points in this matchup. Against the Rangers in early June, he gave up three runs with three walks and still hit 26.8 fantasy points from nine strikeouts. Texas strikes out more than most in the league with a 24.8 K% against righties in the last month to go with a subpar .156 ISO.
Patrick Corbin, ARI at SD ($45): Corbin's had a couple hiccups this year, but he's been solid most of the way and carved the Cubs up last start en route to 35 fantasy points. He could come close to that number against the Padres with their 23.3 K% and .294 wOBA against southpaws since the beginning of June. … If you prefer saving money, I also like Rick Porcello ($43) and Jhoulys Chacin ($36).
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CATCHER
Alex Avila, ARI at SD ($11): Avila has a couple hits in recent starts and that's good enough reason to use him against an iffy righty. He only has smacked five homers against righties this year, but has shown throughout his career he can provide power as seen in last season's .208 ISO and .377 wOBA. Similarly, Tyson Ross is hit-or-miss on the mound and sports a miserable .369 wOBA allowed to lefty bats this year.
FIRST BASE
Albert Pujols, LAA vs. SEA ($16): Pujols' career numbers aren't great against Felix Hernandez, but Hernandez is nowhere near the same pitcher he once was. Pujols has revived his bat a bit this year with 13 home runs and a .330 wOBA against righty arms. Hernandez can't say the same with a 5.14 ERA and .330 wOBA allowed to righty bats.
SECOND BASE
Daniel Murphy, WAS at MIA ($13): I recommended Murphy earlier in the week and he's slowly coming along with the hope of getting closer to last year's .231 ISO and .396 wOBA against righties. He at least has potential at a small price and Trevor Richards is far from an ace with a 4.67 xFIP against lefties during his rookie season.
THIRD BASE
David Fletcher, LAA vs. SEA ($9): Until Fletcher's price goes up, he's a reasonable value play with a hit in his last seven games and .420 BABIP in 59 plate appearances against righties. Hernandez hasn't made it more than five innings in his last three outings and has slumped to a 4.30 xFIP against righty bats.
SHORTSTOP
Marwin Gonzalez, HOU vs. TEX ($8): Gonzalez's price has significantly fluctuated this season and he's at least worth taking a chance on against a rookie pitcher. It helps that most of Gonzalez's power comes against righties with six homers this year after last season's .230 ISO. Ariel Jurado started against the White Sox in May and only made it 4.2 innings, allowing four runs. It's hard to see him having more success against the Astros, especially with only a 13.9 K% in Double-A.
OUTFIELD
Carlos Gomez, TB at BAL ($14): If you have money, spend it on a better Tampa player. But as long as Gomez starts, this remains a good spot for him. He's hit six homers against righties this year after popping a .236 ISO in 2017. For the price, he's worth a shot against Kevin Gausman, who has allowed 10 runs in his last two starts along with a .353 wOBA allowed to righties.
Tony Kemp, HOU vs. TEX ($12): Here's another cheap Astro to try against Jurado. Kemp has become an outfield regular, especially against righties with eight extra-base hits and a .402 OBP in 96 at-bats. In 16 Double-A starts, Jurado didn't exactly impress with a 4.24 xFIP.
David Peralta, ARI at SD ($17): Peralta was rested on Friday and should be ready for this game with a righty on the mound. He's been somewhat quiet in July, but still sports a .232 ISO and .392 wOBA against righties. Ross faced the Diamondbacks at the beginning of the month and was blasted for eight runs. Peralta went 2-for-2 against Ross and had five hits for the game. Let's cross our fingers and hope that happens again.
