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Squad Up Daily MLB Late Fantasy Dose: Minor league pitching versus major league bats

Ken Blaze / USA TODAY Sports

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily MLB fantasy picture for the nine-game slate beginning at 7:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 22:

Hitter Stacks

  • Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox (RHP Mike Pelfrey): Pelfrey will make his first start of the year Saturday against Cleveland. If SP James Shields were healthy, though, Pelfrey would be back in Triple-A. Cleveland's offense has been rolling of late, scoring 43 runs over their past six games while hitting .297. This could get ugly.

3-player stack: 3B Jose Ramirez (48K), SS Francisco Lindor (51K), OF Michael Brantley (51K)

  • Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers (RHP Nick Martinez): Martinez is another minor league arm set to make his 2017 debut Saturday. It should make for an easy target. The Kansas City offense has been abysmal this season, so go with a reliable two-player stack that is best used in cash games.

2-player stack: OF Lorenzo Cain (51K), 3B Mike Moustakas (60K)

  • Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants (LHP Matt Moore): Moore struggled to a 5.02 ERA on the road last season. He paired that with a 1.26 HR/9 to make things just a bit worse. Moore's last start in Coors Field lasted just 2.2 innings as he gave up six earned runs and two homers.

2-player stack: OF Charlie Blackmon (63K), 3B Nolan Arenado (73K)

Pitcher Breakdown

  • TARGET - RHP Ian Kennedy (74K), Royals (at Rangers): Kennedy has put together back-to-back quality starts, with his most recent being an eight inning, 10-strikeout performance against the Angels. The right-hander has given up just one homer this year, but will face a tough test in Texas. His economical price makes the risk worth it in a matchup against a Rangers squad ranking eighth in strikeouts.
  • BARGAIN - RHP Jered Weaver (25K), Padres (vs. Marlins): Weaver has scraped by in his past two starts, lasting six innings and giving up three runs in each. They were quality starts, but they weren't fantastic fantasy outings. Unless, of course, they come at the minimum salary. Marlins Park will help Weaver limit the damage.
  • FADE - RHP Mike Pelfrey (25K), White Sox (vs. Indians): With Pelfrey's horrid 7.50 minor league ERA already noted, his ability to work through one of the league's most respected lineups has to be questioned. This matchup could jump start 1B Edwin Encarnacion's season.
  • CONTRARIAN - LHP Tyler Skaggs (62K), Angels (vs. Blue Jays): Skaggs spun seven scoreless innings in his last start, against Kansas City. He also mowed down nine batters in that outing, despite K.C.'s disciplined lineup. Toronto, however, will swing at anything, and can't seem to hit much. A mid-tier salary, and lack of reputation, will keep Skaggs' ownership levels low.

Bargain Plays

  • 3B Joey Gallo (41K), Rangers (vs. Royals): Despite Kennedy being listed as the pitcher to roster, Gallo's potential is too appealing at this price. He blasted two homers Friday and could be the Ranger to exploit Kennedy's propensity to give up home run balls. The 6-foot-5 23-year-old has hit .250 at home this year.
  • C Martin Maldonado (34K), Angels (vs. Blue Jays): Maldonado has a hit in four of his past five games, along with two runs scored and two walks. Hitting at the bottom of the lineup isn't favorable, but it could pay off if Maldonado can get on base against Toronto SP Casey Lawrence. The top of L.A.'s order could do plenty of damage in this matchup.
  • 2B Brandon Phillips (39K), Braves (at Phillies): Phillips has an eight-game hitting streak in the works. Though he lacks the speed of days past, he's managed to score five times over those eight games and has four steals on the season.

Top Fades

  • OF Giancarlo Stanton (81K), Marlins (at Padres): 81K simply isn't worth it for any hitter. Considering OF Mike Trout is available at 69K, the reasons to fade Stanton are obvious. Yes, he's homered in back-to-back games, but gambling more than a quarter of your salary on him making it three games in a row is pushing the limits of probability.
  • C Buster Posey (67K), Giants (at Rockies): The Coors Field price bump has put Posey in an unattainable stratosphere. With the majority of catchers coming in around 40K, there isn't much incentive to pay Posey's price. Furthermore, Posey is only just coming back from a six-game absence, and saw his power numbers dip last year.
  • 1B Mike Napoli (47K), Rangers (vs. Royals): Napoli has the power, but not the approach. He's hitting .156 and striking out in 30.1 percent of his at-bats. If Kennedy continues to pitch well, Napoli will be a victim more than once Saturday evening. There are plenty of more stable options.

Contrarian Plays

  • OF Lorenzo Cain (51K), Royals (at Rangers): Cain has six steals on the year and is hitting .339 with a .464 OBP. Though he is yet to go deep, Cain is doing everything else. Against Martinez, he's an appealing veteran in cash game formats. Sacrifice the appeal of power, and go with Cain's well-rounded game in the outfield.
  • 3B Jedd Gyorko (50K), Cardinals (at Brewers): Gyorko is 5-for-7 with a home run and three runs scored in his past two games. Having bopped 30 homers last year, Gyorko can clearly bring the power game that many tournament lineups desire. Milwaukee's hitter-friendly environment only adds to that point.
  • OF Matt Kemp (53K), Braves (at Phillies): Kemp has returned from injury to go 0-for-8 in his first two games back. Prior to his absence, though, Kemp had racked up two homers and four RBI with a .500 average in only four games. Philadelphia SP Jerad Eickhoff struggled with the long ball last year, giving up 19 homers across 108.1 home innings.

For up-to-the-minute starting lineups, check out Baseball Press.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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