This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Normally, there won't be much of an intro to this column. Opening Day always provides a break from the norm. Thursday's DraftKings featured slate kicks off at 3:05 p.m. EDT, concludes with first pitches at 4:15 ET, and already has one game postponed due to weather. Be sure to check conditions across the slate before finalizing lineups. These time constraints also take Noah Syndergaard, Carlos Martinez and the lowly Marlins out of the player pool, leaving a somewhat volatile featured group of nine games.
PITCHER
Luis Severino, NYY at TOR ($10,600): Severino came into his own last year and offers at least a little salary relief over the slate's top arms. He posted a 29.4 percent strikeout rate in 2017 and a 3.60 ERA in 20 innings at Toronto, and the Blue Jays are far from 100 percent healthy to open the year. The Yankees are also one of the biggest favorites on the slate, and while chasing wins isn't the deciding factor, it adds to Severino's appeal Thursday.
Chase Anderson, MIL at SD ($8,100): Anderson struggled last year against San Diego (seven earned runs, but 11 Ks over 12.1 innings) but enjoyed a breakout season otherwise, posting a 1.09 WHIP and 23.4 percent fan rate. The Brew Crew check in as road favorites here, and the game has a modest total of eight, suggesting at least a stable floor for Anderson. Minnesota's Jake Odorizzi ($6,400) makes for a reasonable cost-saving option.
CATCHER
Jorge Alfaro, PHI at ATL ($2,900): The Phils are all-in on Alfaro behind the dish, and few catchers bring as much power potential daily. Whether he realizes it over the course of the season isn't the concern here. He posted a .444 wOBA and 177 wRC+ against righties last year, while Braves starter Julio Teheran allowed a 5.86 ERA at home in 2017.
FIRST BASE
Albert Pujols, LAA at OAK ($3,700): While I'm not in love with the price for the past-his-prime slugger, he somehow managed to drive in 101 runs despite a .241 batting average. He's 13-of-30 with three homers and 10 RBI in his career against A's starter Kendall Graveman, who allowed 30 hits and 15 earned runs to the Angels in 2017. So long as Pujols earns the start at DH, he's got a fighting chance to start the year with a boom.
SECOND BASE
Ozzie Albies, ATL vs. PHI ($3,600): Albies posted a .354 wOBA and 117 wRC+ during the final month of 2017, and has showed continued power development throughout spring. He's set to face Aaron Nola, who had a 4.24 ERA and allowed lefties a .355 wOBA on the road against a 2.98/.282 split at home.
THIRD BASE
Mike Moustakas, KC vs. CWS ($3,800): Moustakas had a .353 wOBA and 119 wRC+ a season ago against righties. He'll square off against James Shields, who has posted an ERA north of 5.23 in three of his last four seasons, and allowed a .388 wOBA and 2.82 HRs/9 innings to lefties last year.
SHORTSTOP
Orlando Arcia, MIL at SD ($3,300): Shortstop presents as a bunch of yuck on a nightly basis, almost to the point where you're forced to pay up or punt. I'll side with punting on Opening Day -- Arcia hit .429 over his final 10 spring games after hitting .297 in September of 2017, his second-best monthly total of the season. Padres' starter Clayton Richard allowed a .377 wOBA to righties last season.
OUTFIELD
Andrew Benintendi, BOS at TB ($4,600): If you're a believer in head-to-head numbers, Boston's Mookie Betts is the play here, having gone 12-of-31 with four HRs against Chris Archer. But I'm buying into Benintendi's more aggressive approach at the plate for 2018. He posted a .351 wOBA away from Fenway against righties in 2017, as well as a 45.1 percent fly ball rate. I'm looking for this new approach to lead to an improvement on the 13.6 percent homer to fly ball rate right away.
Delino DeShields, TEX at HOU ($3,500): A matchup against Astros ace Justin Verlander isn't ideal, but DeShields needs only to reach base once, and possibly steal a base, to justify his price. Hitting atop the lineup, run-scoring opportunities could be available for a player who posted a .367 wOBA and 121 wRC+ at home in 2017.
Jorge Soler, KC vs. CWS ($3,000): We've touched on buying bats against ChiSox starter James Shields, and Soler makes for a great tournament play. He hit .144 a season ago but had six long balls during spring and there is no reason he shouldn't see at-bats over an aging Alex Gordon. Shields allows fly balls at over a 40 percent clip, playing right into Soler's wheelhouse.
