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.
Dodgers (-165) at Brewers (+152) — 7:10 PM EST
Brewers in: Ryan Braun (back)
After missing the last 12 games due to a strained back, Ryan Braun will return to the lineup on Saturday and hit cleanup against left-hander Clayton Kershaw. The Brewers are presently implied to score just 3.5 runs — tied for the fewest among all teams in Saturday’s main slate. While Braun has an exceptional .423 career wOBA against lefties, he has been held to just one home run in 33 at-bats against Kershaw. Jesus Aguilar and Lorenzo Cain have both also excelled against lefties over the last year and provide upside in contrarian tournament lineups. Kershaw ranks as the second-best pitcher in the Bales Model on FanDuel, where he provides an 89% Bargain Rating. He was able to throw 108 pitches in his most recent start after throwing fewer than 90 pitches in his four prior outings, and on a slate with high-upside pitchers in Justin Verlander and Carlos Carrasco, Kershaw could offer lower ownership in large-field GPP’s.
Cardinals (+129) at Cubs (-140) — 7:15 PM EST
Cardinals out: Matt Carpenter
Cardinals in: Yairo Munoz
Matt Carpenter and Yadier Molina will sit the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader. Harrison Bader, who was dealing with a hyperextended left knee, and Jose Martinez, who was benched the last five games, will hit first and second, respectively, against the Cubs and lefty Mike Montgomery. The Cardinals are presently implied to score 3.9 runs, but their total has increased 0.6 runs since the line opened despite the forecasted wind benefitting the pitchers. Yairo Munoz, who will replace Carpenter in the infield, leads the Cardinals with five FanDuel Pro Trends and a +0.165 ISO differential. Montgomery has limited hitters to a slate-best 23% recent hard hit, but his 4.5 K Prediction doesn’t offer much upside at his $7,100 salary on DraftKings.
Rockies (+131) at Diamondbacks (-142) — 8:10 PM EST
Rockies out: DJ LeMahieu (strained left oblique)
Rockies in: Garrett Hampson
DJ LeMahieu was placed on the disabled list after suffering a strained left oblique in Friday’s win. He’ll be replaced atop the order by Charlie Blackmon, Gerardo Parra will slide up to the two-hole, and Garrett Hampson will take over at second base in his MLB debut. The Rockies are one of seven teams in the 11-game main slate presently implied to score fewer than 4.0 runs, and they have the lowest Team Value Rating on DraftKings. Zack Godley is on the mound for the Diamondbacks, and he presently claims a 7.2 K Prediction. Umpire Paul Nauert has historically translated into a FantasyLabs’ +2.1 DraftKings Plus/Minus for starters, and Godley has averaged a +4.86 DraftKings Plus/Minus with an 83.3% Consistency Rating at home since last season. He’ll be a solid cash-game play on DraftKings and FanDuel.
