This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
The final Wednesday evening MLB slate of the regular season features 11 games and begins at 7:05 PM Eastern time. While they come from all over the price spectrum, the players below are all positioned to outperform their respective valuations thanks to favorable matchups. Read on to see who they are and why they're likely to finish among Wednesday's top value plays.
PITCHER
Sean Newcomb, ATL at NYM ($7,800): Newcomb's 5.02 BB/9 has generally prevented him working deep into games, but the rookie lefty has been able to rein in those control problems when facing less dangerous opponents. In seven starts against offenses that rank in the bottom half of the league in runs per game, Newcomb has posted a 41:11 K:BB over 40 innings for a 2.48 BB/9. That includes two starts against these Mets, whom have mustered only two earned runs in 11.2 innings against Newcomb. With an excellent 23.4 percent strikeout further buffing his value, Newcomb should be able to post a strong line at pitcher-friendly Citi Field (0.86 park factor) against a reeling New York offense that's mustered just 28 runs in its past nine games.
Chad Kuhl, PIT vs. BAL ($6,500): Working on extended rest in his first start since Sept. 15, the 25-year-old Kuhl will have an opportunity to audition for a spot in next year's rotation against a middling, strikeout-prone Baltimore lineup. The Orioles strike out 8.65 times per game and Kuhl should be able to raise that number even further considering he's whiffed 53 batters in 50 innings over nine starts since the calendar turned to August. He also has a 3.24 ERA during this stretch, so the young righty should have no problem outperforming his modest $6,500 price.
CATCHER
Travis D'Arnaud, NYM vs. ATL ($3,500): While Newcomb will likely find success against the Mets as a whole, D'Arnaud is primed for a strong performance against the young southpaw. Fresh off a day off Tuesday after hitting a long ball Monday, New York's clean-up hitter will be looking to add to his five home runs in the past 10 games. It also doesn't hurt that D'Arnaud comes in with a .381 wOBA against left-handed pitching.
FIRST BASE
Edwin Encarnacion, CLE vs. MIN ($5,100): Encarnacion hasn't slowed down at 34 years of age, as his .362 wOBA against lefties this season isn't far from his career .376 mark and he's mashed double-digit home runs in that split for the first time since 2012. Another strong performance is likely in the cards against Minnesota southpaw Adalberto Mejia, who has allowed a .344 wOBA to right-handed batters en route to an unimpressive 4.62 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. Batting clean-up for Cleveland's red-hot lineup should also maximize RBI opportunities for Encarnacion.
SECOND BASE
Chris Taylor, LAD vs. SD ($3,700): Taylor's .362 wOBA against lefties should allow him to get on base with ease out of the leadoff spot against San Diego's Clayton Richard, who has allowed a .373 wOBA to batters from the right side. With 21 homers and 17 steals, Taylor has the power to drive himself in and the speed to provide value on the basepaths following a lesser positive result at the plate. In a Dodgers lineup teeming with left-handed sluggers, Taylor's platoon advantage makes him the team's best value play at $3,700.
THIRD BASE
Travis Shaw, MIL vs. CIN ($5,000): Shaw comes in with a solid .375 wOBA against righties, but has the right combination of environment and opponent to raise that number even further in this home matchup against Homer Bailey. Miller Park sports the league's seventh-highest park factor at 1.10 while Bailey comes in with a putrid 6.96 ERA and 1.75 WHIP.
SHORTSTOP
Didi Gregorius, NYY vs. TB ($4,500): Gregorius will look to take advantage of Yankee Stadium's second-ranked 1.30 park factor against Rays righty Matt Andriese. The shortstop has already launched a career-best 25 long balls this season, with 22 coming against right-handed pitching. Andriese has allowed 1.67 HR/9 and comes in with an 8.47 ERA in four September starts.
OUTFIELD
Jose Bautista, TOR at BOS ($3,500): Bautista's in the midst of a forgettable season, but a matchup with Boston's Rick Porcello could be just what the formerly feared slugger needs to churn out a throwback performance. Toronto's clean-up hitter has always been tremendous against Porcello, with a .354/.446/.667 line and five home runs in 48 at-bats. Bautista's season wOBA in righty-on-righty situations is .027 higher than otherwise and Porcello has already served up 36 home runs this year, so it's not hard to imagine the affordable outfielder connecting on one pivotal swing to make owners happy.
Jesse Winker, CIN at MIL ($3,600): Winker continues to be undervalued given his production against righties. Cincinnati's leadoff man sports a .408 wOBA in that split, and that success should translate against Brewers rookie Brandon Woodruff, whose .344 wOBA allowed to batters from the left side is .111 higher than his mark in righty-on-righty matchups. Just make sure Winker's getting a starting nod in the crowded Reds outfield before penciling him into lineups.
Jacoby Ellsbury, NYY vs. TB ($4,000): Ellsbury's surged at the plate over the past month, slashing .348/.437/.539 since Aug. 26. That recent improvement has bumped the veteran outfielder's season wOBA against righties up to .350 while that number jumps to .365 at the hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium. Given Andriese's aforementioned recent struggles, expect New York's explosive offense to post a crooked number here and for Ellsbury to play a major part in that production.
