This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Rich Hill, LAD at ARI ($12,000):The pitching landscape Thursday makes Hill a vital piece of lineups. It's an underwhelming collection of hurlers, and Hill has allowed a single hit through his past two starts with 17 punch outs over 13 innings. There is clearly the contrarian angle of fading the southpaw, but if he paces the pitching field, you'll need an elite combination of bats to make up the lost ground in the point column.
J.A. Happ, TOR at LAA ($8,300): Expect Toronto to kick its active 3-12 September funk behind a sound outing from Happ, who a respectable 21.5 strikeout percentage for the season, and the Angels are a mediocre offense against southpaws (102 wRC+ this season) with the seven-fewest runs in September (45 over 11 games).
CATCHER
Yasmani Grandal, LAD at ARI ($3,900): The backstop has posted a .497 slugging percentage and .347 wOBA against right-handed hurlers this season, and he faces a nice matchup against Archie Bradley (.393 wOBA allowed to lefty bats this year). This price also sticks out as a nice bargain.
FIRST BASE
Josh Bell, PIT at PHI ($2,700): Way underpriced, Bell has hit the majors in stride and continues to produce with a .390 wOBA against right-handed pitchers and a .907 OPS. Jerad Eickhoff has surrendered a .487 slugging percentage and .345 wOBA to left-handed hitters this year, too.
SECOND BASE
Devon Travis, TOR at LAA ($4,300): While not the traditional handedness advantage, Travis has a .361 wOBA against righties dating back to last season, and Daniel Wright is making just his fourth career start. Through his first five appearances, he's been shelled for a .466 wOBA by right-handed hitters.
THIRD BASE
Evan Longoria, TB at BAL ($4,200): Another non-traditional matchup, Longoria has excelled against righties this year to the tune of a .526 slugging percentage and .353 wOBA. Yovani Gallardo is a shell of his former self and has served up a .343 wOBA to right-handed hitters.
SHORTSTOP
Addison Russell, CHC at MIL ($4,300): Sticking with the righty-against-righty trend, Russell has 40 RBI and a .340 wOBA in the second half. He hits in the heart of the Chicago lineup, and Jimmy Nelson has allowed 13 runs through 22.2 innings over four starts against the Cubs this year. Look for the North Siders to post a big number against the Brewers to clinch the Central Division on Thursday.
OUTFIELD
Joc Pederson, LAD at ARI ($4,500): Affordable and mashing against right-handed hurlers this season (.543 slugging percentage and .382 wOBA), Pederson is a strong lean Thursday. Archie Bradley has also been extremely giving to left-handed hitters this season (.522, 393).
Jose Bautista, TOR at LAA ($4,300): This is an affordable cap hit for Bautista. His upside has dwindled this season, but his floor is still high (.349 wOBA against right-handed arms in 2016). Additionally, Daniel Wright is worth targeting (5.97 FIP this season), as mentioned.
Adam Frazier, PIT at PHI ($3,300): A potential source of cap relief, Frazier has led off the past three games and has a solid .346 wOBA against right-handed arms this season. He also has some stolen base upside and lands in the previously mentioned decent matchup against Jared Eickhoff (.345 wOBA allowed to lefty hitters).
