This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Wednesday's featured evening slate begins at 7:05 PM Eastern time and features 12 games. The Phillies and Mets look capable of delivering some offensive fireworks based on the pitching matchup at Citi Field, but there are plenty of other value plays to be found across the league...
PITCHER
Dillon Peters, MIA vs. WAS ($5,600): Peters was spectacular in his MLB debut, holding the Phillies to three hits and three walks while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings. He'll face a much stiffer test in his second outing, but it's hard to argue against picking him up at just $5,600. The lefty-laden Nationals rank 11th with a .332 OBP against left-handed pitchers, slightly easing the burden on Peters considering Washington is fifth in OBP against righties. If the 25-year-old southpaw can continue translating his 1.97 ERA at the Double-A level into major-league success, he'll once again make an amazing bargain at his price.
Julio Teheran, ATL vs. TEX ($7,700): Teheran will have a golden opportunity to push his winning streak to three consecutive starts in this matchup with a Rangers team that's missing Adrian Beltre. Working on two extra days of rest, the righty will look to carry over the momentum of his 3.65 August ERA into September against a Texas lineup that's one of only six to average over nine strikeouts per game. SunTrust Park's 0.98 park factor will also work in Teheran's favor given Texas' 26th-ranked .704 road OPS away from Globe Life Park in Arlington (1.18 park factor).
CATCHER
Kurt Suzuki, ATL vs. TEX ($3,300): Suzuki's quietly putting together a phenomenal campaign against left-handed pitching, as he sports a .498 wOBA in that split over an admittedly small 47-plate appearance sample size. He deserves a start every time out against southpaws until he shows signs of slowing down, and this matchup with Cole Hamels is no exception. The former Phillies ace has been a shell of himself despite a 9-2 record, with a career-worst 4.64 FIP and 5.65 K/9. Hamels has been even worse in his past two starts, with 10 earned runs allowed and a 7:6 K:BB over 9.1 innings.
FIRST BASE
Mark Reynolds, COL vs. SF ($4,200): Reynolds has excelled in righty-on-righty matchups, posting a .376 wOBA in such situations overall and a .416 mark at the hitter-friendly Coors Field (1.30 park factor). Things should be no different against Johnny Cueto, who's another pitcher with more name value than current ability. Cueto's forearm still isn't 100 percent healthy and he's struggled even when at full strength with a 4.54 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. Most of his problems have been caused by right-handed hitters, who sport a .345 wOBA against Cueto while batters from the left side have been held to .330.
SECOND BASE
Cesar Hernandez, PHI at NYM ($3,700): Mets starter Matt Harvey allowed seven runs while lasting just two innings in his first start after shoulder surgery, making him a prime candidate to stack against. Hernandez is primed to deliver against Harvey out of the leadoff spot and the switch-hitting second baseman should also find success regardless of who comes out of the bullpen, as he sports at least a .338 wOBA from both sides of the plate.
THIRD BASE
Cory Spangenberg, SD vs. STL ($3.500): Padres hitters usually don't garner much fantasy attention, but it's hard to ignore Spangenberg here. The left-handed slugger has a .361 wOBA against right-handed pitching and that mark should rise further by the time he's through with St. Louis starter Jack Flaherty, who will be making his second career start after allowing five earned runs in four innings to the Giants in last Friday's debut.
SHORTSTOP
Didi Gregorius, NYY at BAL ($4,100): Gregorius has surprisingly been much better away from Yankee Stadium, with a .360 overall wOBA against right-handed pitching and a .433 mark on the road. Baltimore righty Kevin Gaussman has surrendered a .364 wOBA to 291 left-handed hitters faced this season, suggesting he has little ability to prevent Gregorius from having his way once again in this one.
OUTFIELD
Lorenzo Cain, KC at DET ($4,100): Cain hasn't been his usual self against left-handed pitching this season, but remains a potent option in that split after finishing with a wOBA over .400 in each of the previous two campaigns. Tigers starter Matthew Boyd has surrendered a .373 wOBA to right-handed batters this year en route to a 5.92 ERA, making him an ideal choice to use Cain against. Cain's also a major threat on the basepaths after he gets on, having nabbed 24 steals already after swiping 28 bags in both 2014 and 2015.
Odubel Herrera, PHI at NYM ($3,600): Herrera's platoon advantage and Harvey's aforementioned struggles make the speedy outfielder another high-upside Phillies slugger. He's working on an 18-game hitting streak, albeit interrupted by a DL stint, and is slashing .388/.438/.642 since July 28 as a result. Herrera's price will quickly skyrocket once he shows that he's back to full health, so this is the perfect opportunity to buy low.
Brandon Nimmo, NYM vs. PHI ($3,200): Nimmo is the most dangerous option against righties left in New York's outfield, as he has posted a respectable .366 wOBA in that split. That success should continue against Phillies rookie Nick Pivetta, who comes in with an uninspiring 6.28 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. At just $3,200, this is a low-risk, high-reward pick that maximizes flexibility elsewhere in the lineup.
