Baseball is back! Check back here throughout the day for updated blurbs as teams confirm their lineup. We’ll keep you updated on some of the day’s highest-impact trends by utilizing our Models and Vegas dashboard. Projected and confirmed lineups for every game can be found on our MLB Daily Lineups page.
Royals (+284) at Astros (-315) — 7:15 PM EST
Royals in: Lucas Duda (right foot plantar fasciitis)
Lucas Duda was activated off the disabled list and will bat fifth against the Astros and right-hander Lance McCullers on Saturday. The Royals are presently implied to score 2.8 runs, a mark which makes McCullers a premier option on a slate with Clayton Kershaw and Jacob deGrom. McCullers is much cheaper than the two elite starters who are opposing one another at Citi Field, and it’s unclear if Kershaw will have a strict pitch limit. McCullers is also projected to be among the highest owned pitchers on DraftKings and FanDuel in tournaments despite the 5.8 K Prediction. The Astros -315 moneyline reduces concern in rostering McCullers, who has averaged a FantasyLabs’ +5.25 DraftKings Plus/Minus in home starts.
Mariners (+159) at Red Sox (-173) — 7:15 PM EST
Red Sox out: Mookie Betts (illness), Xander Bogaerts (sprained left index finger)
Red Sox in: Tzu-Wei Lin, Brock Holt
Xander Bogaerts exited Friday’s game with a sprained left index finger, and he’ll be available off the bench Saturday against the Angels and right-hander Jaime Barria. Mookie Betts isn’t feeling well and likely won’t be utilized. Tzu-Wei Lin and Brock Holt will replace them in the field, and Lin will bat leadoff. The Red Sox are one of two teams in the main slate presently implied to score at least 5.0 runs, which will likely increase the ownership numbers for their hitters. Their implied total has increased by 0.4 runs since the line opened to 5.5 currently. They lead all teams in Team Value Rating on DraftKings and FanDuel. Despite the positive indicators, the Red Sox do not yield one of the top-rated stacks on DraftKings or FanDuel. Lin costs $2,000 on FanDuel, and he should be a priority punt option.
Blue Jays (+122) at Angels (-132) — 9:07 PM EST
Angels out: Albert Pujols, Ian Kinsler
Angels in: David Fletcher, Jose Fernandez
Albert Pujols and Ian Kinsler won’t start against the Blue Jays on Saturday, and they’ll be replaced in the field by David Fletcher and Jose Fernandez. Fletcher will bat leadoff against righty Marcus Stroman, and Luis Valbuena will bat cleanup in Pujols’ absence. The Angels are presently implied to score 4.6 runs, which is also the third-highest mark in the main slate, and they offer the second-highest Team Value Rating on DraftKings (72). Fletcher costs $2,400 on FanDuel, but he and Red Sox Tzu-Wei Lin occupy the same position. Fletcher leads all shortstops with a 0.376 wOBA, and he’s facing a pitcher who will make his first start since early May.
