Stan Son gives his top studs and value plays for Saturday’s eight-game fantasy baseball slate on DraftKings.

We’ve got an eight-game slate for Saturday’s MLB action.

Let’s find some studs and values for your MLB DFS lineups on DraftKings. This article was written before lineups were announced.

Make your DraftKings MLB DFS picks here: MLB $125K Relay Throw [$25K to 1st]

PITCHER

Stud

Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs at Cleveland Guardians, $8,400 — Imanaga wasn’t good in the opener, allowing four earned runs on six hits, one of which was a home run, in five innings. He also walked two batters. But he struck out seven, posting a 31.8% strikeout rate. The average exit velocity, launch angle and barrel rate were all high, but the matchup against Cleveland is a good one. The Guardians are 21st in runs scored and 22nd in OPS. Their 75 strikeouts are the fourth-most in baseball.

Value

Kumar Rocker, Texas Rangers vs. Cincinnati Reds, $7,200 — Rocker will be making his season debut on Saturday. Last season, the numbers weren’t good, as the strikeout rate was 19.5%, his FIP was 4.88 and he allowed 11 home runs in 64.1 innings. But Rocker made some adjustments in the offseason, changing the arm slot to drive the ball better. During Spring Training, Rocker faced 53 batters and posted a K/9 of 9.95. Cincinnati is tied for 26th in runs scored and is 21st in OPS while the 72 strikeouts are seventh-most.

OUTFIELD

Stud

Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies at Colorado Rockies, $6,200 — Through 27 plate appearances to start the season, Schwarber had a .182/.333/.500 slash with a 37% strikeout rate. But, but, but… the ISO was a robust .318 and he slugged two home runs. Then he went to Colorado and hit a 460-foot home run in the fifth inning on Friday. Schwarber has been known to go on a hot streak or two or three or four, so I’m keeping him slotted here. Rockies starter Chase Dollander has a career 6.79 FIP, 6.41 K/9 and 2.19 HR/9 against left-handed batters.

Value

Matt Shaw, Chicago Cubs at Cleveland Guardians, $2,300 — Shaw and Michael Conforto were supposedly going to share outfield duties while Seiya Suzuki was out. Shaw got the start on opening day and has gotten the nod in all but one contest. Shaw is batting towards the bottom of the order and has only racked up one run, three RBI and a stolen base in 16 plate appearances. That said, the slash line is .267/.250/.267 with a 6.3% strikeout rate. He also has a career .162 ISO mark. The power will come and that time may be on Saturday. Slade Cecconi gave up a home run in 4.1 innings during his first start. He has a career 1.69 HR/9. Let’s put it on the board.

INFIELD

Stud

Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies at Colorado Rockies, $5,500 — Turner has a .038 ISO to start the season. He hasn’t morphed into a slap hitter but the ISO has come down since 2021, when it was .200 or better. Last season, it was .153. The slash line is only .192/.250/.231 while the BABIP is only .238. Well, now he’s in BABIP-friendly, at least for hitters, Coors Field. The power is going to pick up and the speed is always in play, so many paths for fantasy goodies. Rockies pitcher Chase Dollander has high pedigree and a 98-mph fastball, but he’s struggled with control and missing bats. He’s also been prone to the long ball early in his career. While he’s been better against righties than lefties, that’s not saying much because the career FIP is 4.68 against righties.

Value

Ezequiel Duran, Texas Rangers vs. Cincinnati Reds, $2,200 — Duran and Josh Jung were alternating days at third base to start the season, but Jung got the last two starts. I believe it’s Duran’s turn. Jung is slashing .095/.095/.095 with one RBI and a 33.3% strikeout rate in 21 plate appearances. Duran is slashing .273/.273/.636 with a home run, two runs and three RBI in 11 plate appearances. Duran has put up five, 14 and nine FPTS in the last three games he’s played.