This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Taijuan Walker, SEA at Hou ($9,500): There is potential for this to go wrong, as Walker is likely overachieving and Houston is definitely underachieving. However, to what degree we should critique Walker's A+ start to the season is up for debate. He has a 51.7 ground-ball rate and has allowed a 20.5 hard-hit percentage, which are both impressive marks. Add his 23.8 strikeout percentage and there is nice upside relative to his cap hit. The Astros have the second-worst strikeout percentage against right-handed hurlers (26.5) this season, after all.
Chris Archer, TB at LAA ($9,400): This is an interesting mismatch of early-season results. The Angels rank second-best in strikeout percentage against right-handed pitchers (15.7 percent), but their .665 OPS, .293 wOBA and 92 wRC+ against righties are all target-worthy marks. Archer appears to have turned the corner after allowing just six hits, two runs and four walks through his past 12.2 innings over his last two starts, and his 29.1 strikeout percentage since the beginning of 2015 ranks fourth in the league.
CATCHER
Buster Posey, SF vs. COL ($3,800): After scoring 16 fantasy points Thursday, Posey's salary actually dropped $300. He is at least two tiers above any other backstop in seasonal formats, so when there isn't a similar gap priced into daily contests, it presents exceptional value. Plus, Posey has an active 17-for-40 run with a .700 slugging percentage and a respectable .336 wOBA and 118 wRC+ against right-handed hurlers at home during his career.
FIRST BASE
Byung-ho Park, MIN at CWS ($3,800): While we're dealing with a small sample, Park's advertised pop is legit. His average home run distance is 424.7 feet, and all seven of his home runs would have made U.S. Cellular look like a playground field. He has a .347 ISO, .382 wOBA and 150 wRC+ against righties to start the campaign, and draws over-achieving Mat Latos, who has a minus-2.47 ERA-FIP.
SECOND BASE
Brian Dozier, MIN at CWS ($4,100): Another spot to pick on Mat Latos' smoke-and-mirrors start to the season, Dozier finished his most recent three-game series against Houston with three runs, four RBI and a 1.492 OPS. He has historically been a much better hitter against left-handed arms (.365 wOBA vs. .312 since 2013), so this is more of a speculative stab at a mismatch in skill, especially since Latos and Dozier project to head in opposite directions, if they haven't already.
THIRD BASE
Travis Shaw, BOS at NYY ($3,200): Since entering the league, Shaw has a .204 ISO, .362 wOBA and 129 wRC+ against right-handed hurlers, and Michael Pineda has allowed a .641 slugging percentage and .406 wOBA to right-handed bats this season. Shaw's cap hit and matchup are pluses.
SHORTSTOP
Brandon Crawford, SF vs. COL ($3,300): This is a cushy salary to take advantage of Crawford's success against right-handed arms. Dating back to last season, he has a .218 ISO, .343 wOBA and 123 wRC+ against righties, and he has a .377 on-base percentage with eight RBI through his past 13 outings. Crawford is also hitting closer to the heart of the order lately, and Bettis has served up a .333 w0BA to lefty bats during his career.
OUTFIELD
David Peralta, ARI vs. ATL ($3,400): It might not be an ideal matchup for Peralta with Aaron Blair looking poised beyond his years, but Peralta's low salary paired with his track record against right-handed hurlers has significant profit potential. Peralta's .891 OPS, .212 ISO, .381 wOBA AND 139 wRC+ against righties since entering the league are high-end marks.
J.D. Martinez, DET vs. TEX ($3,400): Since joining the Tigers, Martinez boasts a .967 OPS, .302 ISO, .407 wOBA and 163 wRC+. His cap hit is beyond manageable for the upside and his past production against southpaws, and Cole Hamels hasn't been sharp through his past three outings allowing a .297/.408/.453 slash line. Hamels might not be 100 percent healthy, either, after missing a start due to a groin injury.
Justin Upton, DET vs. TEX ($3,000): Sporting a seven-game hitting streak with a .586 slugging percentage, it looks like Upton is in the midst of turning his rough start to the season around. His success against lefties makes him a strong value Friday, especially if Hamels' recent struggles are tied to a potentially lingering groin injury. Regardless, at this low of a salary, Upton's .231 ISO, .365 wOBA and 136 wRC+ against southpaws since 2013 are target-worthy marks.
