This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHER
Max Scherzer, WAS vs. PIT ($24,400): The Pirates have a 25.8 percent strikeout rate, .255 wOBA and 26.0 percent hard-contact rate versus righties on the road in September, while Scherzer has scored 26.15 and 33.10 fantasy points in his last two starts, respectively. He's also racked up between seven and 10 strikeouts in seven of his last eight trips to the mound while logging quality starts in five of those outings.
Odrisamer Despaigne, MIA vs. ATL ($12,000): Despaigne has been a completely different pitcher at Marlins Park, posting a 2.45 ERA while allowing a .260 wOBA over 29.1 innings. Meanwhile, the Braves have a .275 wOBA and 25.6 percent hard-contact rate against right-handed pitching on the road over the last two weeks.
INFIELD
Daniel Murphy, WAS vs. PIT ($9,000): Pirates starter Jameson Taillon has been touched up by lefty bats for a .370 wOBA while posting a 5.13 xFIP and 2.11 WHIP when facing them on the road. Murphy has a .394 wOBA (including 19 homers), .235 ISO and 35.2 percent hard-contact rate against righties, and he has a season-best .415 wOBA over 78 September plate appearances. Meanwhile, Pirates relievers have a 6.00 ERA and while allowing a .367 wOBA to lefty bats on the road this month.
Elvis Andrus, TEX vs. OAK ($7,800): Andrus checks in with a .352 wOBA versus right-handed pitching, while Athletics starter Daniel Gossett has allowed a .340 wOBA (including 13 homers) to righty bats. Gossett is also allowing a .393 wOBA on his trademark four-seam fastball, a pitch that Andrus has a .408 wOBA on. Additionally, A's relievers have a 5.68 ERA and have allowed a .389 wOBA (including seven homers) to righty bats on the road in September.
Mike Zunino, SEA at LAA ($6,900): Angels starter Ricky Nolasco's struggles versus right-handed hitters include a .375 wOBA (including 22 homers), 21.8 percent HR/FB rate and 38.8 percent hard-contact rate allowed. Meanwhile, Zunino boasts a .342 wOBA (including 16 homers), .235 ISO, 20.8 percent HR/FB rate and 38.2 percent hard-contact rate versus righties, including a .431 wOBA and season-high 43.9 percent hard-contact rate over 77 September plate appearances. Nolasco is also allowing a .405 wOBA on his sinker, a pitch that Zunino sports a .435 wOBA against.
OUTFIELD
Eddie Rosario, MIN vs. DET ($10,200): Rosario is in a premium spot versus Tigers starter Buck Farmer, who's allowed a .392 wOBA and 5.93 xFIP to left-handed hitters. Rosario has battered righties at Target Field for a .469 wOBA (including 25 homers), .395 ISO, 30.2 percent HR/FB rate and 42.8 percent hard-contact rate, and he has a .383 wOBA (including 11 homers) off Farmer's most frequently thrown pitch, the four-seam fastball.
Yasiel Puig, LAD at COL ($9,200): Rockies starter German Marquez's struggles versus right-handed hitters – which include a .351 wOBA (including 18 homers) and a 38.3 percent hard-contact rate allowed – could spell trouble versus Puig, who boasts a .372 wOBA (25 homers) and .262 ISO versus righty arms, as well as a 36.7 percent hard-contact rate against them on the road. Rockies relievers also have a 5.34 ERA while allowing a .321 wOBA (including four homers) to righty bats at home in September.
Max Kepler, MIN vs. DET ($6,900): The struggles of Tigers starter Buck Farmer versus lefty bats were detailed earlier, while Kepler sports a .375 wOBA, .232 ISO and 37.6 percent hard-contact rate against righties at Target Field, and a .362 wOBA versus Farmer's trademark four-seam fastball.
UTILITY
Giancarlo Stanton, MIA vs. ATL ($10,800): Stanton has blasted 44 homers off right-handed pitchers, with half of those coming at Marlins Park. That's helped lead to a .420 wOBA, .359 ISO, 37.3 percent HR/FB rate and 40.3 percent hard-contact rate versus that handedness at home, numbers that play nicely with the .377 wOBA, 25.0 percent HR/FB rate and 33.3 percent hard-contact rate that Braves starter Lucas Sims has allowed to right-handed hitters on the road. Furthermore, Sims notably allows a .509 wOBA when throwing his four-seam fastball, a pitch that Stanton has a .444 wOBA (including 22 homers) and a .400 ISO against.
Nelson Cruz, SEA at LAA ($9,600): Angels starter Ricky Nolasco's struggles versus righty bats were detailed earlier, while Cruz's body of work versus righties on the road includes a .413 wOBA, .323 ISO, 165 wRC+ and 38.0 percent hard-contact rate. Cruz also sports a .402 wOBA and 46.9 percent hard-contact rate over 106 September plate appearances.
