This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHER
Julio Urias, LAD at SF ($17,200): This will be the first start of the season for Urias, but manager Dave Roberts already said that he would stay in the rotation going forward. The 20-year-old was solid in 15 starts last season, posting a 26.8 K% and respectable 3.69 xFIP. If that's not reason enough, the Giants have been one of the worst teams against lefties this season with a .282 wOBA.
Adam Wainwright, STL vs. TOR ($14,400): Staying on the cheaper end of things, Wainwright gets the call against a team that's been bad against righties, as the Blue Jays have a .274 wOBA and high 23.9 K%. Wainwright hasn't been consistent in his five starts, but he struck out nine last time on the mound. Most notably from 2016, his numbers were much better at home, allowing a .298 wOBA (compared to .374 on the road) to go with a 3.83 xFIP (compared to 4.31).
INFIELD
Daniel Murphy, WAS at COL ($10,200): Coming off a five-RBI game, Murphy faces another righty in Antonio Senzatela. Against righties in 71 at-bats this season, Murphy is roasting for a .405 wOBA, .239 ISO and minimal 8.3 K%. Senzatela has been good, but also worse against lefties (.302 wOBA allowed vs. .227 for righties).
Cesar Hernandez, PHI vs. MIA ($6,800): Things didn't go well for Hernandez on Wednesday, but against righty Edinson Volquez, that should change. Volquez hasn't looked great early on and has pitched just 7.2 innings in his last two starts. In 61 at-bats this season, the switch-hitting Hernandez has a .398 wOBA against righties.
Robinson Cano, SEA at DET ($8,000): It's supposed to rain midday in Detroit, but not for long, so keep an eye on it. Most people will avoid Cano simply because he's going against Justin Verlander, but don't let that sway you. Verlander has looked mediocre his last two starts and is giving up a .402 wOBA to lefties. That's where Cano comes in with a .371 wOBA and .206 ISO against righties. And while these stats go back more than a decade, Cano is a solid 13-of-44 in his career against Verlander.
OUTFIELD
Justin Upton, DET vs. SEA ($7,600): Upton has been crushing righties this season (.446 wOBA) and that lines up with what he did last year, producing a better wOBA against them than lefties. Plus, his 26.7 K% shouldn't be a factor against Hisashi Iwakuma, who has struggled early and has just nine Ks in his four starts.
Stephen Piscotty, STL vs. TOR ($7,800): While Piscotty has been close to unusable against lefties, his .359 wOBA against righties takes precedent with a respectable 17.5 K%. Mat Latos really struggled in his first start, giving up four runs in five innings, and all of that damage was done by righties.
Bryce Harper, WAS at COL ($12,000): If you have the money, it's a no-brainer when you can get Harper against a righty at Coors Field. Harper has been slightly ridiculous so far with a .499 wOBA, .424 ISO and 16.2 K%. In his first season, Senzatela has been good, but he hasn't faced the Nationals yet after he had no problems against the Giants and Padres.
UTILITY
Nolan Arenado, COL vs. WAS ($10,500): Similar to Harper, Arenado is close to a must-play against a lefty. He has a .719 wOBA and .625 ISO against lefties this season, though that's over only 24 at-bats. Going back to 2016, his wOBA at home against lefties was .429. Gio Gonzalez is pitching extremely well, so that's a worry, but he hasn't pitched in Colorado yet. And while his numbers are great, he's still consistently worse against righties (.273 wOBA allowed vs. .196 to lefties).
Jim Adduci, DET vs. SEA ($4,500): This is what's called a true value play considering Adduci has limited MLB experience (played in 2013 and 2014). Going against a righty, he'll be back in the lineup Thursday after six hits in his first two games, both against righties. Iwakuma's struggles have been noted with nine ER and four HR allowed against 37 left-handed batters this season.
