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PITCHER
Cole Hamels, CHC at WAS ($9,300): Hamels has found a fountain of youth since joining the Cubs at the trade deadline. He's allowed five runs and 33 hits over 45 innings, striking out 43 while winning four times in seven starts. The price clearly reflects that run, and it's worth remembering he had an 11.12 ERA in the month of July, so there's some risk. But with Washington simply going through the motions down the stretch, a pitcher's duel looks like it's on tap for Saturday with Hamels trying to match Max Scherzer ($11,700).
GPP Fade: Walker Buehler, LOS at COL ($8,700): This is just a commonsense fade. Buehler has actually fared reasonably well in two starts at Coors Field, allowing four runs across 12 innings, giving up 12 hits and striking out eight. Mix in another start in Los Angeles against the Rockies, and Buehler has a 2.37 ERA over 19.0 innings against his opponent. Locked in a tight division battle, I'd assume a solid outing is in store for both Buehler and his adversary in Kyle Freeland ($7,900). But you simply have to ask yourself why would you risk either pitcher in this spot? There are other options who are less volatile, and the likely low ownership won't make up for that.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Jose Berrios, MIN vs. KAN ($8,300): Just over a month ago, I suggested Berrios as a safe option for both cash and GPP formats at a price of $10,700, so his price now clearly represents his current form, which has seen him allow eight runs over his last nine innings and 16 in 21.2 frames, a span of five starts where he hasn't recorded a quality outing. But his home ERA is 1.50 better than his road total, and he's dominated the Royals in two prior outings, allowing just three runs while striking out 14 over 14.0 innings, earning two wins. His recent struggles suggest many will glance over him, and he's coming at a huge discount from a month ago, which speaks to the upside he can offer in the right spot.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Aramis Garcia, SFG at MIL ($2,000): Garcia is finding success when in the lineup, an obviously key piece to his inclusion in a GPP lineup at this minimum price. The real play here is against Brewers' starter Gio Gonzalez, who is praying a change in uniform helps him rebound from a disastrous season. He's allowing a .348 wOBA to righties, while allowing 20 runs over his last 20.2 innings, a span of four starts. Stacking Giants on the cheap makes some sense, but there aren't any clear matchups to exploit. As such, Garcia at the bare minimum works well so long as he starts. His platoon partner, Nick Hundley ($2,800) makes for a nice pivot.
SECOND BASE
Daniel Descalso, ARI vs. ATL ($3,000): There are more appealing Diamondback bats, which we'll touch upon later, but Descalso fits a few bills here as a cheap option at the keystone who's likely to slot into a top-five spot in the order. He'll bring a .346 wOBA and 110 wRC+ to the table against Julio Teheran, who struggles early in starts, giving Descalso an early run-producing chance.
THIRD BASE
Ehire Adrianza, MIN vs. KAN ($2,100): The hot corner remains a punt or pay position, and while we're not suggesting a straight lineup here, the way the other positions shook out has me hunting a punt option at third. As such, Adrianza's place in the lineup over an injured Miguel Sano, paired with the near bottom price, gives him ample chance to return on investment. He'd hit safely in five of his last seven games entering Friday, and his switch hitting ability plays well against rightie Jorge Lopez, who allowed a 7.90 ERA and .385 wOBA in August.
SHORTSTOP
Didi Gregorius, NYY at SEA ($3,700): Gregorius was expected to be available off of the bench Friday and return to the starting lineup Saturday for the first time since August 19. That's led to a discounted price, and he's the sixth-priced Yankee bat on the docket against a struggling Felix Hernandez, who allows a .350 wOBA to lefties at home. Gregorius meanwhile has a .352 wOBA, 122 wRC+ and .263 ISO against righties to date.
OUTFIELD
Christian Yelich, MIL vs. SFG ($4,700): Fitting in Yelich's salary will be difficult if you're paying up for arms, too, but ignoring the heater on which Yelich has been is equally as difficult. He has a .397 wOBA against righties for the year, a number that rises to .445 since August 1, while adding a 181 wRC+ and .367 ISO. The Giants' starter has a 4.86 road ERA and allows a .348 wOBA to lefties.
Shohei Ohtani, LAA at CWS ($4,100): Another steep priced bat, but one that's hard to ignore in an offense worth targeting that's offering no other clear cut option. Ohtani has gone deep three times in his last to games entering Friday, and boasts a whopping .447 wOBA, 191 wRC+ and .361 ISO against righties. White Sox starter James Shields has had a surprisingly decent season but has allowed nine runs over his last three starts and has a 42.9 percent fly ball rate, playing into Ohtani's wheelhouse, as the Angel sees 34.7 percent of his flys against righties leave the yard.
Jake Cave, MIN vs. KAN ($2,500): Cave's power potential makes for a great GPP play with some salary relief, as he's gone deep four times in his last nine games. He boasts a .352 wOBA, 121 wRC+ and .226 ISO against righties, while Twins starter Jorge Lopez is allowing a .402 wOBA to lefties on the road.
UTILITY
David Peralta, ARI vs. ATL ($3,700): While Braves' starter Julio Teheran doesn't have as awful of splits as you'd think in any situation, Peralta's success against righties is too difficult to ignore. He has a team-leading .404 wOBA, 149 wRC+ and .254 ISO against righties. Checking in $700 cheaper than Paul Goldschmidt, he makes sense.
