DFS MLB Hitting Coach: October 1

For most of the season, the Saturday slate featured four or five early games with the bulk of the action in the evening, but this week is a bit different. There are just eight games in the late slate with seven early games. The early FanDuel and FantasyAces slates do not include the two early afternoon games, which is a shame because I really like some of those hitters, especially the Mets. As you might expect, the late slate is a bit weaker than it has been on Saturdays, but there are still plenty of good plays across the board. I think you pretty much have to pay up for your second baseman in the late slate, and I’m playing Miguel Cabrera wherever I can, but there are cheap plays at other positions who should balance your lineup nicely.

I’m punting catcher in the early slate, and Pedro Severino will likely be my guy. FanDuel has dropped the ball yet again by failing to list him, but Severino homered against leftie Robbie Ray on Thursday, which makes him as good a play as any.

If you absolutely have to spend some money at the position, Yasmani Grandal has a .824 OPS against righties this season.

If you play in one of the slates that include the two early games, Yadier Molina is 6-for-16 during his four-game hitting streak.

Omar Narvaez is 5-for-11 over his last three games and he has a .433 wOBA against left-handed pitchers this season.

Evan Gattis is 6-for-15 with two home runs during his four-game hitting streak and he has a .897 OPS against lefties this season.

Getting a cheap catcher in Coors is never a bad thing, and it doesn’t hurt that Manny Pina has a .877 OPS against right-handed pitchers this season.

Tyler Austin is 4-for-7 with a home run over his last three games and he has a .961 OPS against left-handed pitchers.

Chris Davis is 5-for-12 over his last three games.

Eric Hosmer is 5-for-14 with a home run against Trevor Bauer and Hosmer has two home runs in the last week.

Paul Goldschmidt is 5-for-15 against Clayton Richard and he has a 1.079 OPS against lefties this season.

Miguel Cabrera is 12-for-24 with four home runs over the last week.

Marwin Gonzalez is 6-for-16 during his four-game hitting streak, and you could do worse for a cheap first baseman.

Chase Utley is 4-for-11 with two home runs over the last week.

Dee Gordon is 6-for-14 against Tanner Roark and 9-for-22 during his five-game hitting streak.

Brian Dozier is 11-for-26 with three home runs against James Shields, and most of those at-bats came back when Shields was actually good.

Ian Kinsler is 16-for-29 with two home runs during his seven-game hitting streak.

Justin Turner is 11-for-22 over his last six games.

Anthony Rendon is 8-for-23 with two home runs over the last week.

Nolan Arenado is 6-for-15 with a home run during his four-game hitting streak. This seems like a good spot to pay up for him in Coors.

Ryon Healy is 11-for-23 with two home runs during his six-game hitting streak and he has a .373 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season.

Yangervis Solarte is 4-for-8 against Archie Bradley and 7-for-20 since rejoining the Padres last week.

Shortstop is pretty ugly in the early slate, so I am starting with a pair of Reds despite what might be a tough matchup against Jon Lester. Jose Peraza is 4-for-8 with a stolen base against Jon Lester and 7-for-18 during his four-game hitting streak. Ivan De Jesus is 4-for-6 over his last two games, and there is a chance Lester is pulled early, especially if the Cubs are trailing.

If you cannot pull the trigger on either of the Reds against Jon Lester, you could pay up for Corey Seager, who is 6-for-17 with a home run during his four-game hitting streak.

Tim Anderson is 9-for-18 with two home runs during his four-game hitting streak.

Carlos Correa is 8-for-19 during his five-game hitting streak.

Jonathan Villar is 8-for-20 with three home runs during his five-game hitting streak.

Luis Sardinas is 5-for-8 over his last two games.

Brett Gardner is 5-for-14 against Wade Miley and 6-for-14 over his last four games.

Mark Trumbo is 6-for-17 with two home runs during his four-game hitting streak and he has a .922 OPS against right-handed pitchers this season.

Josh Reddick is 6-for-11 with a home run in his last three games.

I suspect Joe Maddon will give most of his regulars one more day of rest before starting them Sunday. Albert Almora batted second Thursday ahead of Addison Russell, Willson Contreras and Javier Baez. If that is the case Saturday, Almora would be a great play on FanDuel and FantasyAces. While it is important to pay close attention to all of the lineups, the Cubs especially could have some value plays at the top of the lineup.

Jarrod Dyson is 5-for-11 with five runs scored over his last three games.

Lonnie Chisenhall is 7-for-20 against Edinson Volquez.

Curtis Granderson is 9-for-19 during his five-game hitting streak while Jay Bruce is 10-for-20 with four home runs during his six-game hitting streak.

Adam Eaton is 5-for-12 vs. Hector Santiago and 5-for-13 over his last four games.

Robbie Grossman is 8-for-18 during his five-game hitting streak.

Brandon Drury is 4-for-10 over his last three games and right-handed batters have a .335 wOBA against Clayton Richard.

Charlie Blackmon is 6-for-13 over his last three games while Carlos Gonzalez is 5-for-11 over the same span.

George Springer is 19-for-33 during his 10-game hitting streak and he has a .961 OPS against lefties this season.

Kole Calhoun is 9-for-29 against Collin McHugh and 11-for-20 over the last week.

Hunter Renfroe is 6-for-14 during his four-game hitting streak while Manuel Margot is 5-for-14 during his last three games.