The early slate is a challenge, as is often the case when there are only three games, but it is a challenge I really appreciated. I was able to create lineups I like on every site, and even if you skip the smaller slates like I usually do, I encourage you to try the early slate Saturday.
As for the late slate, there are more options at every position, but that doesn’t make it any less challenging. There are some cheaper Coors plays I like, and while I don’t talk you out of somebody like Carlos Gonzalez, my inclination is to go cheap in Coors if possible.
| CATCHER | |||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Team | POS | Bats | H/A | Opp | Probable Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | ISO | BB% | K% | BABIP | FD | DK | Aces |
| Sandy Leon | BOS | C | B | A | LA | Ross Stripling | R | 104 | .365 | .405 | .567 | .972 | .202 | 5.30% | 20.40% | .449 | $2,700 | $2,400 | $4,150 |
| Willson Contreras | CHI | C | R | A | OAK | Sonny Gray | R | 140 | .000 | .125 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 10.60% | 23.80% | .340 | $3,100 | $3,800 | $4,600 |
| Travis d'Arnaud | NYM | C | R | A | DET | Matt Boyd | L | 147 | .245 | .291 | .340 | .631 | .095 | 5.70% | 15.20% | .273 | $2,400 | $3,000 | $4,350 |
| Russell Martin | TOR | C | R | A | KC | Danny Duffy | L | 294 | .000 | .129 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 11.30% | 28.80% | .319 | $3,000 | $3,200 | $4,650 |
| Cameron Rupp | PHI | C | R | A | SD | Paul Clemens | R | 259 | .274 | .326 | .486 | .812 | .212 | 5.40% | 24.70% | .331 | $2,700 | $3,600 | $4,300 |
Sandy Leon is 8-for-24 over his last eight games and he has an .819 OPS against right-handed pitchers this season. Leon is a nice value in the early slate, especially on DraftKings.
Willson Contreras is 5-for-15 during his four-game hitting streak and he has a .349 wOBA against righties.
Russell Martin is 4-for-8 with a home run against Danny Duffy and
Travis d’Arnaud is 5-for-17 during his four-game hitting streak.
Cameron Rupp is 8-for-19 with three home runs and nine RBI during his four-game hitting streak.
| FIRST BASE | |||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Team | POS | Bats | H/A | Opp | Probable Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | ISO | BB% | K% | BABIP | FD | DK | Aces |
| Mike Napoli | CLE | 1B | R | A | NYY | CC Sabathia | L | 383 | .253 | .341 | .512 | .853 | .259 | 11.40% | 31.60% | .318 | $3,600 | $4,900 | $5,100 |
| Anthony Rizzo | CHI | 1B | L | A | OAK | Sonny Gray | R | 379 | .000 | .144 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 19.20% | 16.50% | .300 | $4,500 | $5,300 | $5,550 |
| Justin Morneau | CWS | 1B | L | H | BAL | Chris Tillman | R | 58 | .276 | .338 | .500 | .838 | .224 | 7.70% | 20.00% | .302 | $2,700 | $2,900 | $4,500 |
| Miguel Cabrera | DET | 1B | R | H | NYM | Logan Verrett | R | 407 | .310 | .384 | .550 | .934 | .240 | 10.80% | 17.10% | .329 | $3,900 | $5,300 | $5,000 |
| Joey Votto | CIN | 1B | L | A | PIT | Ivan Nova | R | 359 | .290 | .421 | .490 | .911 | .200 | 17.70% | 22.40% | .351 | $3,800 | $5,000 | $5,100 |
Mike Napoli is 11-for-24 with five home runs during his seven-game hitting streak and he has a .380 wOBA against left-handed pitchers this season.
Anthony Rizzo has a 1.019 OPS against right-handed pitchers this season.
Joey Votto is 9-for-22 over the last week and he has a .961 OPS against right-handed pitchers this season.
Justin Morneau is 9-for-28 with two home runs during his seven-game hitting streak.
Miguel Cabrera is 11-for-21 with four home runs during his five-game hitting streak.
| SECOND BASE | |||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Team | POS | Bats | H/A | Opp | Probable Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | ISO | BB% | K% | BABIP | FD | DK | Aces |
| Ben Zobrist | CHI | LF | B | A | OAK | Sonny Gray | R | 361 | .000 | .146 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 17.10% | 12.70% | .294 | $0 | $4,700 | $5,000 |
| Howie Kendrick | LA | 2B | R | H | BOS | Eduardo Rodriguez | L | 324 | .000 | .084 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 9.00% | 18.50% | .319 | $3,100 | $3,700 | $4,100 |
| Dee Gordon | MIA | 2B | L | A | COL | Chad Bettis | R | 121 | .281 | .320 | .347 | .667 | .066 | 5.50% | 16.40% | .340 | $4,200 | $4,700 | $5,400 |
| Derek Dietrich | MIA | 3B | L | A | COL | Chad Bettis | R | 288 | .274 | .364 | .399 | .763 | .125 | 6.90% | 19.40% | .336 | $3,500 | $3,400 | $4,700 |
| Neil Walker | NYM | 2B | B | A | DET | Matt Boyd | L | 362 | .265 | .328 | .442 | .770 | .177 | 8.50% | 19.30% | .289 | $3,000 | $4,800 | $4,800 |
Ben Zobrist is 6-for-19 over the last seven days and
Howie Kendrick will likely lead off against lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, and Kendrick has a .346 wOBA against lefties this season.
Derek Dietrich is 5-for-10 over his last five games, and he is one of the cheaper Coors options. If Dietrich sits, or you have some more money to spend, Dee Gordon is 7-for-19 with six runs and four stolen bases over the last week.
Neil Walker is 8-for-17 with a home run during his four-game hitting streak.
| THIRD BASE | |||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Team | POS | Bats | H/A | Opp | Probable Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | ISO | BB% | K% | BABIP | FD | DK | Aces |
| Adrian Beltre | TEX | 3B | R | A | HOU | Doug Fister | R | 395 | .276 | .329 | .451 | .780 | .175 | 6.50% | 10.70% | .277 | $3,200 | $3,300 | $5,000 |
| Hernan Perez | MIL | 3B | R | A | ARI | Patrick Corbin | L | 203 | .000 | .042 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 4.10% | 23.40% | .347 | $3,300 | $4,400 | $4,150 |
| Yunel Escobar | LAA | 3B | R | A | SEA | Taijuan Walker | R | 391 | .000 | .075 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 7.00% | 11.90% | .362 | $3,100 | $3,200 | $4,550 |
| Jake Lamb | ARI | 3B | L | H | MIL | Matt Garza | R | 345 | .000 | .101 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 12.60% | 24.90% | .326 | $3,100 | $4,700 | $5,100 |
Justin Turner is 9-for-24 during his six-game hitting streak, and I’m willing to ride the streak considering third base is really ugly in the early slate.
Jake Lamb is 4-for-13 with two home runs over his last three games. He has a 1.002 OPS against righties this season.
Adrian Beltre is 10-for-29 in his career against Doug Fister.
Yunel Escobar s 8-for-21 during his five-game hitting streak.
Hernan Perez is 10-for-25 with two home runs and three stolen bases over the last week.
| SHORTSTOP | |||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Team | POS | Bats | H/A | Opp | Probable Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | ISO | BB% | K% | BABIP | FD | DK | Aces |
| Addison Russell | CHI | SS | R | A | OAK | Sonny Gray | R | 357 | .000 | .107 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 13.80% | 24.30% | .298 | $2,900 | $3,600 | $4,500 |
| Brad Miller | TB | CF | L | H | MIN | Jose Berrios | R | 359 | .256 | .307 | .501 | .808 | .245 | 6.70% | 21.90% | .281 | $3,800 | $4,600 | $4,650 |
| Erick Aybar | ATL | SS | B | A | STL | Carlos Martinez | R | 293 | .000 | .066 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 11.70% | 16.60% | .281 | $2,200 | $3,000 | $4,350 |
| Daniel Descalso | COL | 2B | L | H | MIA | Andrew Cashner | R | 114 | .316 | .419 | .421 | .840 | .105 | 15.40% | 19.10% | .391 | $3,100 | $3,400 | $4,100 |
| Adeiny Hechavarria | MIA | SS | R | A | COL | Chad Bettis | R | 365 | .255 | .295 | .348 | .643 | .093 | 5.60% | 11.00% | .280 | $3,100 | $3,500 | $4,500 |
| Jonathan Villar | MIL | SS | B | A | ARI | Patrick Corbin | L | 387 | .000 | .116 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 12.80% | 26.00% | .402 | $4,100 | $5,100 | $5,000 |
Addison Russell is 5-for-16 with four RBI during his four-game hitting streak, and he is one of the best options at shortstop in the early slate.
Brad Miller has hit a home run in three consecutive games, going 5-for-10 during that streak. Miller has a .826 OPS against right-handed pitchers this season.
Erick Aybar is 15-for-34 during his 10-game hitting streak but his price is still quite low.
Daniel Descalso is 5-for-14 over his last five games, and he is pretty cheap considering he is in Coors and he has a .859 OPS against righties this season.
Adeiny Hechavarria is 9-for-22 during his six-game hitting streak.
Jonathan Villar is 6-for-11 with two stolen bases over the last three days.
| OUTFIELD | |||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Team | POS | Bats | H/A | Opp | Probable Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | ISO | BB% | K% | BABIP | FD | DK | Aces |
| Mookie Betts | BOS | CF | R | A | LA | Ross Stripling | R | 458 | .306 | .346 | .539 | .885 | .233 | 6.10% | 13.20% | .314 | $4,500 | $5,100 | $5,500 |
| Andrew Benintendi | BOS | LF | L | A | LA | Ross Stripling | R | 5 | .400 | .400 | .400 | .800 | .000 | 0.00% | 40.00% | .667 | $2,000 | $2,600 | $0 |
| Jose Ramirez | CLE | SS | B | A | NYY | CC Sabathia | L | 360 | .300 | .357 | .428 | .785 | .128 | 7.60% | 10.90% | .326 | $2,800 | $3,700 | $4,350 |
| Abraham Almonte | CLE | CF | B | A | NYY | CC Sabathia | L | 51 | .294 | .309 | .490 | .799 | .196 | 3.60% | 25.50% | .368 | $2,300 | $3,100 | $3,600 |
| Brock Holt | BOS | 2B | L | A | LA | Ross Stripling | R | 185 | .259 | .330 | .395 | .725 | .136 | 9.00% | 18.60% | .299 | $2,700 | $2,700 | $4,100 |
| Jorge Soler | CHI | RF | R | A | OAK | Sonny Gray | R | 130 | .000 | .132 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 11.20% | 23.70% | .264 | $2,300 | $4,100 | $4,450 |
| Dexter Fowler | CHI | CF | B | A | OAK | Sonny Gray | R | 277 | .000 | .161 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 13.10% | 21.50% | .358 | $3,800 | $5,200 | $5,200 |
| Michael Bourn | ARI | LF | L | H | MIL | Matt Garza | R | 234 | .000 | .064 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 6.30% | 25.20% | .337 | $3,000 | $3,500 | $4,100 |
| Jayson Werth | WSH | LF | R | H | SF | Matt Cain | R | 354 | .254 | .342 | .427 | .769 | .173 | 12.00% | 22.50% | .303 | $3,600 | $3,900 | $4,750 |
| Melky Cabrera | CWS | LF | B | H | BAL | Chris Tillman | R | 391 | .302 | .348 | .455 | .803 | .153 | 6.80% | 10.80% | .322 | $3,100 | $3,200 | $4,900 |
| Shin-Soo Choo | TEX | RF | L | A | HOU | Doug Fister | R | 132 | .265 | .370 | .470 | .840 | .205 | 11.70% | 22.10% | .308 | $3,900 | $4,300 | $4,550 |
| David Dahl | COL | LF | L | H | MIA | Andrew Cashner | R | 45 | .356 | .383 | .578 | .961 | .222 | 4.30% | 27.70% | .448 | $4,100 | $3,000 | $4,900 |
| J.D. Martinez | DET | RF | R | H | NYM | Logan Verrett | R | 261 | .295 | .364 | .540 | .904 | .245 | 9.20% | 23.80% | .354 | $3,700 | $4,500 | $5,000 |
| Christian Yelich | MIA | CF | L | A | COL | Chad Bettis | R | 383 | .319 | .392 | .491 | .883 | .172 | 10.30% | 19.70% | .383 | $4,200 | $5,100 | $5,300 |
| Mike Trout | LAA | CF | R | A | SEA | Taijuan Walker | R | 382 | .000 | .154 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 20.30% | 18.40% | .363 | $4,200 | $5,200 | $5,550 |
| Carlos Gonzalez | COL | RF | L | H | MIA | Andrew Cashner | R | 409 | .320 | .370 | .565 | .935 | .245 | 7.40% | 21.20% | .369 | $4,500 | $5,600 | $5,900 |
Brock Holt will likely start after Dustin Pedroia fouled a ball off his shin Friday. Holt is a solid value play with a .770 OPS against right-handed pitchers, and he will be an even better value if he bats second, as he did the last time Pedroia sat.
Jose Ramirez is 16-for-40 with two home runs during his 10-game hitting streak and he has a .366 wOBA against left-handed pitching.
Abraham Almonte is 10-for-22 with six runs and five RBI during his seven-game hitting streak. Almonte has a .886 OPS against lefties this season.
Mookie Betts is 12-for-31 with three home runs during his seven-game hitting streak, and he has a .384 wOBA against righties.
Andrew Benintendi went 2-for-3 in his last start and is worth a shot at a minimum price.
Dexter Fowler is 8-for-18 with a home run and two stolen bases during his five-game hitting streak and he has a .859 OPS against right-handed pitchers this season.
Jorge Soler homered in his first game off the disabled list Friday, and he is cheap on FanDuel and FantasyAces.
Ryan Braun is 2-for-5 with a home run against Patrick Corbin.
Michael Bourn is 10-for-24 with two stolen bases against Matt Garza.
Carlos Gonzalez is 8-for-21 with two home runs and nine RBI over the last week.
Jayson Werth was out of the lineup when the Nationals faced Matt Cain Sunday, and that may have been a mistake. Werth is 5-for-8 with a home run against Cain and 9-for-25 during his six-game hitting streak.
Mike Trout is 6-for-8 with a home run against Taijuan Walker and 8-for-18 with a home run over the last week.
Melky Cabrera is 9-for-24 in his career against Chris Tillman.
Shin-Soo Choo is 3-for-9 in two games since returning from the disabled list. More importantly, he is 10-for-31 with two home runs against Doug Fister.
David Dahl is basically a must-play on DraftKings, and he is worth playing on FantasyAces as well. Dahl has at least one hit in all 11 big league games including three home runs.
J.D. Martinez is 5-for-9 with a home run in three games since returning from the disabled list.
Christian Yelich is 9-for-25 with a home run over the last week.