This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Saturday's main MLB slate is a modest one, with six games on tap after 7:15 PM Eastern time. Below, you'll find which individual pitchers and hitters are primed to provide the best value, as well as the top lineup stacking options in this slate.
Pitching Overview
With only 12 teams to pick from, making strong selections on the mound is imperative. Max Scherzer ($60) won't come cheap, but he's the obvious go-to pitcher in this slate against a Padres team that averages only 3.74 runs per game - the third-fewest in the league.
Sticking on the West Coast, Rich Hill ($51) should also be worth paying up for against NL West rival Giants. While Hill's 3.95 FIP suggests his 2.25 ERA is due for regression, he also boasts a healthy 28.4 percent strikeout rate - and that regression is unlikely to take place against the league's worst home offense at 3.07 runs per game.
Among cheaper options, Steven Matz ($33) of the Mets stands out at home against Colorado. Matz enters with a 1.50 ERA and 25:8 K:BB in 24 innings at pitcher-friendly Citi Field this season, and Colorado's league-average road offense scores almost two runs-per-game fewer than they do at Coors Field.
Value Plays/Chalk
This slate holds a distinct West Coast flavor, with the Athletics and both Los Angeles clubs ripe for stacking. In addition to those three teams, certain individuals stand out as options to target.
Willson Contreras ($14) has been among the league's most productive catchers and sports a wOBA over .400 in righty-on-righty matchups. He's a great value at just $14 against Cardinals righty Jack Flaherty, who has struggled to a 6.20 road ERA this season.
Howie Kendrick's ($17) renaissance season has been powered by a .427 wOBA against lefties, and Washington's second baseman should continue to find success against Eric Lauer of the Padres.
Edwin Encarnacion ($22) is primed to capitalize on his platoon advantage against called-up Angels lefty Dillon Peters. Seattle's first baseman owns a .362 season wOBA and a .372 career wOBA against southpaws.
Stacks
Angels vs. Yusei Kukuchi (Mariners)
Mike Trout (OF - $27), David Fletcher (SS - $16), Albert Pujols (1B - $16)
Kukuchi was skipped over the last time he pitched after surrendering 11 runs - including 10 earned - over a combined 6.2 innings in his previous two starts. Trout is positioned to add to the lefty's recent struggles, as the modern day Mickey Mantle has recorded a wOBA over .400 against lefties both this season and throughout his career - also true against righties. Fletcher leads off against lefties, and Pujols could be a cheap, yet effective option at first base considering he bats in the heart of the order and has smacked three home runs in his last eight games.
Athletics vs. Adrian Sampson (Rangers)
Matt Olson (1B - $16), Robbie Grossman (OF - $13), Matt Chapman (3B - $19)
Doubleheaders are always tricky, but Oakland's best bats from the left side are likely to be in the lineup against the right-handed Sampson with a southpaw scheduled to take the mound for Texas earlier in the day. Olson comes in with a .417 road wOBA, and his away success should continue at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The switch-hitting Grossman also claims a road wOBA over .400, with a wOBA against righties over 80 points higher than with lefties. Chapman will be at a platoon disadvantage as a right-handed batter, but he should fare just fine given Sampson's .386 wOBA allowed to batters from the right side.
Dodgers vs. Jeff Samardzija (Giants)
Cody Bellinger (OF - $23), Max Muncy (1B - $16), Joc Pederson (OF - $19)
The Dodgers have been a strong stacking option many times this season, and this is no exception. All three of the left-handed sluggers below should thrive against the right-handed Samardzija. Bellinger's making a compelling case for MVP and his wOBA against righties almost registers at .500. Muncy has done his best work on the road, and Pederson's been terrific against righties this season, posting a wOBA just under .450 while setting the table at the top of the order.
