This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
PITCHER
Clayton Kershaw, LAD vs. SD ($12,600): This isn't just a reflex to seeing Kershaw on the docket. Believe me, I tried to get away from spending this much on one player, but in the end, Kershaw was the smart play. Kershaw owns every team in his division and the Padres are no exception. San Diego was bottom-10 in wOBA against lefties last season and finished second-to-last in K%. It all adds up to not only a lot of strikeouts for Kershaw, but likely a win and a lot of scoreless innings. Noah Syndergaard is also a viable option, but the discount isn't quite enough to edge out Kershaw.
CATCHER
Victor Martinez, DET at CHW ($3,000): At $3,000, Martinez comes in as the highest priced catcher on the Monday-slate, which gives you an idea of how scarce this position is. Martinez's splits against righties and lefties were nearly identical last season, so there's not a huge advantage there, but the pitcher he's facing (Jose Quintana) was much better against lefties last season than righties. Martinez, as a switch-hitter, will obviously be facing him from the right side.
FIRST BASE
Joey Votto, CIN vs. PHI ($4,000): This game features one of the highest projected totals of the day and for good reason. Neither team has a strong Opening Day starter and Great American Ball Park has never been known as a "pitcher's park". Jeremy Hellickson could be in for a rough day and if anyone is to take advantage of him, it will be Votto, who smashed righties last season on his way to a wOBA of .429.
SECOND BASE
Neil Walker, NYM vs. ATL ($2,600): Opening Day is usually full of top-notch starting pitchers, but some teams don't really have any top-notch pitchers. Enter Julio Teheran, who was once a solid pitcher, but fell back to earth extremely hard last season. In particular, it was the lefties that crushed Teheran and unfortunately for him, teams are going to stack lefties against him this season. Walker was better from the right-side last season, but over his career, he's been better from the left-side of the plate, so he should be able to take advantage here.
SHORTSTOP
Corey Seager, LAD vs. SD ($3,600): While there's value in a lot of spots, it might be wise to pay up at the SS position. Seager looks like the best of what appears to be a lot of good options. Seager crushed righties last season to the tune of a .400 wOBA. Jhoulys Chacin struggled against left-handed hitters last season, posting an xFIP 1.02 higher against lefties than righties.
THIRD BASE
Pablo Sandoval, BOS vs. PIT ($2,500): Buying low on Sandoval makes sense as his absence last season has resulted in a bargain price to start the season. While Sandoval's expected performance this season is a bit of an unknown, what is known is Gerrit Cole's challenges to get left-handed hitters out. Lefties raked to a wOBA of .371 against Cole last season, while righties came in at .285. As for Sandoval, his career wOBA is .62-higher from the left side versus the right side.
OUTFIELD
Curtis Granderson, NYM vs. ATL ($2,800): Granderson's splits against righties were much better last season and we've already covered Teheran's struggles against lefties last year. Granderson will be at the top of what should be a productive lineup, so consider spending down here to make room for an elite pitcher.
Jay Bruce, NYM vs. ATL ($2,800): A little further down the Mets lineup, Bruce should be the beneficiary of all those runners on base. Bruce should have ample opportunity to knock in runs, and considering his splits against righties last season, he should be able to take advantage. Bruce hit 27 of his 33 home runs off righties last year and his wOBA was .72 higher, as well.
Odubel Herrera, PHI at CIN ($3,300): Herrera had a breakout season in 2016 and most of his damage was done against righties. His wOBA against righties was .359 last year, 84 points higher than versus lefties. Scott Feldman is on the bump for the Reds and he's not exactly "Opening Day" calber, and — as mentioned earlier — plenty of runs are expected in this game and Herrera is usually part of the fun when the Phillies play well.
