This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Whenever Clayton Kershaw takes the hill, you're fading him at your own risk in all contests. Max Scherzer reminded us of the contest-winning upside of elite starting pitchers Wednesday, and while counting on Kid-K to duplicate that performance is a lofty expectation, would anyone be surprised to see Kershaw dial up a 50-point showing?
PITCHER
Clayton Kershaw, LAD vs. NYM ($13,300): Punchouts are king, and Kershaw has fanned 44 batters through 31 innings over his past four outings to up his strikeout percentage to 32.8 for the season. He also allowed just 11 base runners through 16 innings in his last two starts. The Mets are a middle-of-the-pack offense against southpaws (.754 OPS, .166 ISO, .330 wOBA and 107 wRC+), but their 24.6 strikeout percentage is fifth-highest in the league.
Zack Greinke, ARI vs. SF ($8,400): The numbers are being bogged down by two awful outings, but otherwise, Greinke has been serviceable. He has 16 strikeouts and just four runs allowed in 13 innings over his last two starts and grabs an off-kilter offense Thursday. The Giants have an underwhelming .700 0PS, .111 ISO, .310 wOBA and 95 wRC+ in May and have been held to seven runs through their past five games.
CATCHER
Matt Wieters, BAL vs. MIN ($3,500): The Orioles will be a popular stack against Mike Pelfrey, as he has coughed up a .623 slugging percentage and .459 wOBA to left-handed hitters this season, and .454 and .371 marks since 2014, respectively. Wieters is affordable, in the heart of the lineup and has a respectable .747 OPS and .327 wOBA against right-handed pitchers over his last 360 plate appearances dating back to 2014.
FIRST BASE
Brandon Moss, STL at LAA ($3,500): With seven home runs, a .333 ISO, .373 wOBA and 131 wRC+ against right-handed hurlers, Moss is a viable value lean Thursday against Jered Weaver, who has allowed a .882 OPS and .382 wOBA to left-handed hitters this season.
SECOND BASE
Chase Utley, LAD vs. NYM ($3,700): Leading off and owning a manageable cap hit are pluses for Utley, and the veteran is off to a nice start against righties. Through 105 plate appearances, Utley boasts an .859 OPS, .379 wOBA and 137 wRC+ against right-handed arms this year.
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner, LAD vs. NYM ($3,200): Given his .860 OPS, .376 wOBA and 143 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers, Turner's cap hit is attractive. Plus, he has begun to turn it around of late with a .899 OPS through his past seven games.
SHORTSTOP
Corey Seager, LAD vs. NYM ($3,700): The youngster has owned righty arms since entering the league with a career .193 ISO, .374 wOBA and 138 wRC+, and he has heated up of late with four multi-hit games over his past five outings.
* The trio of Los Angeles infielders should bat first through third in the lineup Thursday and have nice upside against Bartolo Colon. The veteran pitcher has performed admirably to start the season (3.03 FIP), but a quick look at his game log over the past two seasons highlights his propensity for rough outings.
OUTFIELD
Stephen Piscotty, STL at LAA ($4,100): After an impressive debut last year, Piscotty has only tacked more offense on this season. He has a career .475 slugging percentage, .178 ISO, .352 wOBA and 122 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers, and Weaver has allowed a .494 slugging percentage and .363 wOBA to right-handed hitters this year.
Odubel Herrera, PHI at ATL ($3,500): A cross-category contributor, Herrea has a few avenues to delivering fantasy points, and he has at least one hit in 20 of his past 21 games. During the stretch, Herrera has 16 runs, two home runs, six RBI and four stolen bases next to his .354/.441/.443 slash line. He has a career .347 wOBA and 118 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers, too.
Aaron Hicks, NYY vs. KC ($3,100): Being ahead of hot and cold stretches is important in all fantasy formats, but under the microscope of daily contests, it is even more vital. Hicks looks to be kick-starting a hot streak with a 9-for-21 run at the dish, including five runs, two home runs, five RBI and a 1.202 OPS. He also has a respectable 25.0 hard-hit percentage against right-handed pitchers. Ian Kennedy has allowed 14 runs through 20 innings over his four career starts at Yankee Stadium, too.
