This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Pitcher
Taijuan Walker, ARI vs SD ($7,800) – It's perfectly acceptable to pay up for Chris Sale given the lack of pitching options, but Walker is another alternative at a much cheaper price. He gets the woeful Padres who will be a team to target against all season. Walker has at least six strikeouts in three of his first four starts and this is an excellent matchup. The Padres struck out against right-handed pitching 24.9% last season and are in line with that number with a 25.2% this season. Throw in that Walker should get a ton of run support facing Jered Weaver and it seems like there's a good chance he'll get a win and a quality start.
Catcher
Chris Iannetta, ARI vs SD ($2,400) – Going with Iannetta allows a piece of the Arizona offense in your lineup and allows for the option of paying up for Chris Sale. Iannetta is off to a hot start with at least 12.2 fantasy points in four games already this season.
First Base
Mitch Moreland, BOS vs NYY ($3,600) – Moreland is one of the few Red Sox off to a hot start, as he's hitting .315 with two home runs and has at least 12 fantasy points in eight games. Normally a matchup with Masahiro Tanaka would be one to shy away from but his 6.00 ERA suggests differently. In a very small sample, Tanaka is giving up a .384 wOBA to lefties and his uptick in walks suggests his command is off despite an increase in fastball velocity.
Second Base
Ryan Schimpf, SD at ARI ($2,600) – Second base is a nightmare tonight and a dart throw could be the best option. Schimpf got the night off Wednesday which should hopefully clear his head and have him ready to go tonight. If fading Walker, Schimpf is a good fastball hitter, owned a .377 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, and is in one of the best hitter's parks tonight.
Shortstop
Aledmys Diaz, STL vs TOR ($3,000) - After fading Jered Weaver, the next best option might be using Cardinals against Casey Lawrence. Lawrence isn't considered a top prospect and gave up four runs on eight hits in 6.1 innings his last time out. Diaz had reverse splits last season, crushing right-handed pitching to the tune of a .393 wOBA, a stat many may overlook tonight.
Third Base
Jedd Gyorko, STL vs TOR ($3,100) – In cash formats, it makes a ton of sense to put in Jake Lamb ($3,800) and not give it another thought. However, in GPPs, going with any other player at the position is a great contrarian play. Gyorko has gotten off to a scorching start against right-handed pitchers with a .480 wOBA, and the case against Casey Lawrence has already been made.
Outfield
Matt Joyce, OAK at LAA ($2,100) – The price doesn't get any better and Joyce has a career .346 wOBA against right-handed pitching. Ricky Nolasco has given up a career .337 wOBA to lefties and likely isn't going to improve that number at age 34.
Cole Calhoun, LAA vs OAK ($2,600) – Calhoun has reached base safely in six straight games but hasn't homered in over two weeks. Opposing pitcher Kendall Graveman had his worst split against left-handed hitters last year, giving up a .348 wOBA. Calhoun will have Mike Trout and Albert Pujols hitting behind him, increasing the chances of run production.
David Peralta, ARI vs SD ($3,300) – Again, D-Backs are going to be very popular tonight. Only four can be used in a lineup and Peralta seems to be one that usually goes under the radar thanks to Lamb and Paul Goldschmidt. Peralta has been absolutely on fire as of late with 21.4, 33.9, 9.2, 33.6 and 12.2 fantasy points over his last five games. For his career, Peralta has a crazy .402 wOBA at home against right-handed pitching and the case against Jered Weaver doesn't need to be stated.
