This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Pitcher
Aaron Nola, PHI vs. PIT ($8,800): Nola has been pouring on the strikeouts of late, having tallied at least six in each of his last five starts. The Pirates are a bottom-five team against the curveball this season, while Nola has notched a 4.0 RAA with the pitch. The 24-year-old should also be able to use his 50 percent ground ball rate to exploit Pittsburgh's tendency to put the ball on the ground.
Andrew Moore, SEA vs. KC ($5,500): This is essentially a pick based on process of elimination, as I'm not willing to pay for any other starter on the board. Moore has kept a 3.06 ERA over 53 innings (nine starts) at Triple-A Tacoma this season, and put up 18.2 DraftKings points in his major league debut against the Tigers. He will have a much easier matchup against the Royals, a team that holds the sixth lowest wOBA against righties this season. Moore can be had for less than some position players at his current price, and appears to have a floor safe enough to allow us to gamble on some upside.
Catcher
Robinson Chirinos, TEX vs. BOS ($3,700): Chirinos' days of getting one start a week as a backup catcher appear to be over, as he has been seeing time as a designated hitter against right-handers. One look at his stats will tell you why the Rangers opted to make the move. Chirinos has tallied an ISO of .361 over 108 at-bats this season to go along with a 41 percent hard contact rate. This could mean bad things for opposing starter Rick Porcello, who has allowed a .532 slugging percentage versus same-handed bats.
First Base
Joe Mauer, MIN vs. LAA ($4,000): Mauer isn't particularly striking as a DFS option on most days, but this is a play targeted to exploit the wildness of Alex Meyer, who has walked 16.5 percent of the lefties he has faced over 25.1 innings. Mauer has struck out just 15 percent of the time against righty pitchers, while notching a wOBA of .351.
Second Base
Dustin Pedroia BOS at TEX ($4,200):Martin Perez is another pitcher short on control, but unlike Meyer, he doesn't have the strikeout rate to potentially cover up his mistakes. Pedroia will enter the contest having secured a .391 wOBA and a 45 percent hard contact rate against lefties over 32 at-bats.
Third Base
Josh Donaldson, TOR at NYY ($4,500): Time spent on the disabled list has seemingly turned Donaldson into the forgotten man, but the former AL MVP is still showing power this season, as evidenced by his .235 ISO against right-handed pitching. Masahiro Tanaka can be a nice play in the right matchup, but his below average fastball and tendency to allow homers could bite him fairly hard when facing the imposing Toronto lineup.
Shortstop
Zack Cozart, CIN at COL ($4,300): Most Rockies pitchers perform worse in their home environment of Coors Field, but Jeff Hoffman has taken the dynamic to another level, having logged an 8.22 ERA in 15.1 innings. Cozart sports a .229 ISO and a .385 wOBA against right-handed hurlers.
Outfield
Ben Gamel, SEA vs. KC ($4,200): I will keep picking on Ian Kennedy and his home run issues until he gives me reason to stop. The 32-year-old has now surrendered two homers in each of his last two starts, and has allowed at least one ball to leave the park in 11 straight outings. Gamel often gets overlooked in a lineup that contains Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano, but he has been a force in his own right, having tallied a massive 17.6 RAA against the fastball.
Khris Davis, OAK vs. CWS ($4,600):Carlos Rodon's stuff allowed him to survive a 2:6 K:BB ratio in his season debut against the Yankees, but I will bet against the young lefty successfully walking the tightrope for much longer. Davis has traditionally had tremendous power against lefties. While that trend hasn't shown up yet this season, his 55 percent hard contact rate may indicate that a correction is around the corner.
Aaron Judge, NYY vs. TOR ($5,600):Marcus Stroman has struggled a bit against righties this season, allowing a .479 slugging percentage and 11 home runs over 55.1 innings. Judge's accomplishments are the stuff of legend. He has notched a .358 ISO against same-handed hurlers along with a .459 wOBA in 226 at-bats.
