This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Wednesday's evening slate features 12 games. Owners should make sure to check the forecast after rain wreaked havoc on a number of Tuesday's scheduled contests, but the players below all offer excellent bang for the buck if Mother Nature permits them to play...
PITCHER
Nick Pivetta, PHI vs. MIA ($4,000): Pivetta's strong start to the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley isn't guaranteed to translate to success in his big league debut, but Aaron Nola's (back) replacement is the epitome of a low-risk, high-reward option at $4,000. His minor league numbers through three starts are superb: two earned runs allowed and 24 strikeouts in 19 innings. Pivetta won't stay this cheap for long based on those numbers, so grab him now while you still can.
Dylan Bundy, BAL vs. TB ($7,800): Bundy has been dominant through four starts, but still has room for improvement entering this date with a middling Rays offense. The 24-year-old's 1.37 ERA and 0.99 WHIP are supported by a 1.85 FIP, and he has cut his career walk rate down in half to a career-best 4.1 percent. If Bundy's 20.4 percent strikeout rate climbs up to matching or exceeding last season's 21.9 percent mark, he could soon find himself priced among the elite options at his position.
CATCHER
Stephen Vogt, OAK at LAA ($2,900): The first 38 left-handed hitters to face Angels righty Matt Shoemaker have managed a .381 wOBA, which bodes well for Vogt's chances of finding success out of the heart of the A's order. The catcher is sitting above the .350 wOBA mark in that split for the second time in the past three seasons, and will also benefit from playing in what has been the most hitter-friendly park so far this season. Angel Stadium of Anaheim has an incredible 1.78 park factor while seeing at least 1.54 times as many doubles and homers as the average venue.
FIRST BASE
Albert Pujols, LAA vs. OAK ($3,900): Pujols hasn't gotten off to a fast start against left-handed pitching, but that's likely to change soon. While the veteran slugger won't approach his career .413 mark at this stage, Pujols' .350 wOBA against lefties last season showed that he still has plenty left in the tank. Throw in the hitter-friendly environment, and it becomes tough to pass up on him at this price against Sean Manaea.
SECOND BASE
Kolten Wong, STL vs. TOR ($2,900): Wong has started to heat up with a .500 OBP and three extra-base hits over the past four games. His .238 BABIP suggests the affordable second baseman has been unlucky not to get on base more given his .277 career mark, especially considering the elite batting eye Wong has displayed in racking up a 12.5 percent walk rate and 8.9 percent strikeout rate so far this season. Toronto right-hander Mat Latos owns a horrid 43:33 K/BB ratio since the start of the 2016 campaign, so expect Wong to reach base a couple times in this one.
THIRD BASE
Jake Lamb, ARI vs. SD ($3,900): Lamb continues to stay surprisingly affordable considering his success against righties. The slugging third baseman sports a .432 wOBA in that split this season after finishing 2016 at .374. San Diego starter Trevor Cahill has surrendered a .332 wOBA to left-handed batters in his career, and playing this game at Chase Field significantly raises Lamb's upside. The Arizona-based ballpark ranks second in baseball for the second consecutive season with a 1.73 park factor in the early going.
SHORTSTOP
Jorge Polanco, MIN at TEX ($3,700):Cole Hamels is one of the most feared southpaws in the game, but Polanco's .381 wOBA through his 107 career plate appearances against lefties makes the switch-hitting shortstop a strong option any time the opposition sends one to the mound. He's starting to climb into the heart of the Minnesota batting order, which should lead to more high-leverage opportunities at the hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington (1.16 park factor in 2016).
OUTFIELD
Carlos Gomez, TEX vs. MIN ($3,900): Gomez looks happy to be back in his hitter-friendly home park, as the leadoff man has hit safely in each of the first five games of Texas' homestand while mustering eight base knocks over that span. He'll have a golden opportunity to stay hot against Hector Santiago, who has allowed a wOBA no worse than .323 to right-handed hitters in each of his previous five campaigns. It's safe to expect Gomez's speed to start kicking in now that he's finally getting on base consistently, as he's still yet to swipe a bag after tallying 146 steals in the past five seasons.
Nelson Cruz, SEA at DET ($4,200): Cruz offers incredible power upside for his price coming off three consecutive 40-homer campaigns, and is currently sporting a wOBA over .400 against lefties for the fourth consecutive season to boot. He's a nearly automatic play against most southpaws, and Detroit's Daniel Norris has been far from one of the more threatening options at his position with a 1.53 WHIP through three starts.
Aaron Altherr, PHI vs. MIA ($3,600): Altherr has been tearing the cover off the ball during his seven-game hitting streak, with a .400/.444/.680 line. The right-handed slugger has found significantly more success against righties in the early stages of his career, and that trend has continued for him with a .528 wOBA in that split this season. Marlins righty Edinson Volquez comes into this one having allowed 10 earned runs and 26 baserunners in just 13 innings over his past three starts, making this the perfect time to plug in the streaking Altherr.
