This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Kenta Maeda, LAD vs. ARI ($10,200): Maeda should have the upper hand in this one, as the normally fearsome Diamondbacks lineup will be adjusting to playing in the league's most pitcher-friendly park as opposed to the top-five hitters' venue they call home. His 9.11 K/9 suggests he's likely to contribute further value by drawing a few whiffs, while the struggles of opposing starter Zach Godley (5.88 ERA) suggest Maeda will also be in good position to pick up a win. All signs point to a nice, high floor for the right-hander in this one.
Ivan Nova, NYY at TB ($8,300): Nova has a golden opportunity to impress potential suitors heading into the trade deadline, with a matchup against a Tampa Bay team that strikes out more than all but three teams while scoring fewer runs than all but three as well. The right-hander has held opponents to exactly one run in three of his last four starts, sporting a 2-0 record and 24 strikeouts in 23.2 innings over that span. Another outing like that would easily justify Nova's modest price tag, and this is the worst offense he's faced all season.
CATCHER
Brian McCann, NYY at TB ($3,200): While McCann has only managed a .337 wOBA against righties this year, his .352 career mark indicates that he has always been proficient at batting in his favorable split. One man he has never had trouble hitting is Rays starter Jake Odorizzi, who he is 12-for-23 against, including three homers and three doubles. McCann in this matchup at $3,200 is too good a deal to pass up, especially coming off a homer in his last game.
FIRST BASE
Matt Adams, STL at MIA ($4,100): Adams tends to make the most out of his solid .341 wOBA against right-handers thanks to his prominent role in the heart of a productive Cardinals batting order. He should once again have plenty of opportunities to knock in runs against former reliever Jose Urena, who has given up nine earned runs in his last 13.2 innings. The affordable first baseman's value is likely to exceed his $4,100 price tag, allowing you to spend big elsewhere without experiencing a dropoff in production at the position.
SECOND BASE
Derek Dietrich, MIA vs. STL ($2,700): Many hopped off the Dietrich bandwagon when Dee Gordon returned from suspension, but the versatile infielder's .353 wOBA against right-handers has earned him a lineup spot at first base in such matchups until Justin Bour returns from the DL. He has found some small-sample success with three hits in eight career at-bats against Cardinals starter Mike Leake, and he makes for an excellent low-cost option at second base given his minuscule price tag.
THIRD BASE
Travis Shaw, BOS at LAA ($4,100): Shaw comes in on a five-game hitting streak and is overwhelmingly favored to raise that number to six given his .358 wOBA against right-handers and Tim Lincecum's struggles. Lincecum has been shelled for 25 runs in his last 24 innings, making most Red Sox bats good options. Shaw happens to be one of the more affordable ones, with his recent strong form only enhancing his value.
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor, CLE vs. OAK ($4,900): Lindor is equally proficient from both sides of the plate, which means the switch-hitting shortstop should have no problem producing from the left side against Kendall Graveman, who has given up a far-from-ideal .362 wOBA to left-handed bats. He has already found success against Graveman, with three hits in six previous at-bats, and he is in the midst of a five-game hitting streak that has included 10 base knocks.
OUTFIELDER
Jackie Bradley Jr., BOS at LAA ($4,800): Bradley Jr. has feasted on right-handed pitching all season, with a .406 wOBA and 38 of his 47 extra-base hits coming against that side. Angels starter Tim Lincecum has been freakishly bad this season, and facing an elite Red Sox lineup is unlikely to help his dreadful 8.70 ERA. Assuming both recent trends hold, it should be yet another productive day at the office for the talented outfielder.
Matt Kemp, SD vs. CIN ($4,800): Kemp has displayed tremendous power this season, already matching last year's total of 23 home runs. Nine of those 23 long balls have come against southpaws, and he has further established his dominance against left-handed pitching with a .407 wOBA. Reds starter Brandon Finnegan is below average as far as lefty starters are concerned, so expect Kemp to flourish in this convenient matchup.
Aaron Altherr, PHI at ATL ($2,800): Altherr returned from a long-term wrist injury with a bang, going 3-for-4 with a home run while batting fifth in his season debut Thursday. He'll be in position to succeed once again for his encore, as the Braves will be trotting out struggling rookie Tyrell Jenkins coming off a disastrous outing in which he allowed seven runs in just 3.1 innings. The young outfielder won't stay this cheap for long if his first game was any sign of things to come.
