This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Pitcher
Max Scherzer, WAS at PHI ($58): This slate offers just this one true ace, and it's awfully hard to go against Scherzer here. In nine starts against the Phillies in his two seasons since joining the Nats, Scherzer is 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA, striking out 74 in 65.2 innings. Philadelphia managed only seven runs in hitter friendly Great American Ballpark to open the year and they don't figure to break out of a slow start against Washington's ace.
Luis Severino, NYY at BAL ($26): There's isn't an obvious second starter to be excited about on Friday, so Severino's low price makes him worth a gamble. He looked much more like the 2015 version who posted a 2.89 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 62.1 innings during spring than the 2016 version (5.83 ERA, 66 Ks, 71.0 innings). Baltimore scored only three runs in each of their first two games, and while Severino has been susceptible to the long ball, he's allowed only a .170 BAA to current Orioles.
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Catcher
Alex Avila, DET vs. BOS ($8): If you're a fan of punting the catcher position, Avila is worth a look. James McCann caught all three games for Detroit in their opening series, and with an early start Friday, Avila figures to get his first action. He posted a respectable .320 wOBA last season against righties, and Red Sox starter Stephen Wright has allowed 10 runs in nine career innings against the Tigers.
First Base
Carlos Santana, CLE at ARI ($20): Arizona starter Shelby Miller was simply awful last year. He allowed left handed bats to post an absurd .467 wOBA against him at home while allowing 10 long balls in 52.1 innings at Chase Field. For good measure, Santana feasted on right handers in 2016, posting a .915 OPS, .285 ISO and .385 wOBA.
Second Base
Logan Forsythe, LAD at COL ($19): Despite starting all four games against the Padres to open the year and going 0-for-7 in his last two, it seems unlikely the Dodgers would turn to lefty Chase Utley Friday against Rockies left hander Kyle Freeland. As such, Forsythe's likely position atop the Dodgers' lineup paired with a .330 wOBA against southpaws last year offers appeal. That this game has the highest total on Friday at 11 further helps his cause.
Third Base
Joey Gallo, TEX vs. OAK ($11): Gambling on home runs is always risky, and that's essentially all you're expecting when you select Gallo. But if you're willing to take that gamble, Friday appears to be that time. Oakland starter Raul Alcantara made five starts last season and allowed nine home runs in 22.1 innings. He had a 4.50 EA over the spring, walking seven in 20 innings, and doesn't figure to fair well against a potent Rangers lineup. There's great stacking opportunity here.
Shortstop
Francisco Lindor, CLE at ARI ($19): Lindor is off to a fast start this season, as are the Indians, averaging seven runs through their first three games. He managed a .351 wOBA against righties last year and has an inviting matchup with the aforementioned Miller. This game comes with the second highest total of the day, and Lindor checks in sixth in price at his position in a plus matchup.
Outfield
Stephen Piscotty, STL vs. CIN ($16): Piscotty was cleared of concussion symptoms and available off of the bench Thursday, so he should be safe to start Friday against rookie left hander Amir Garrett, who will be making his big league debut. Piscotty destroyed left handed pitching last year to the tune of a .255 ISO and .406 wOBA.
Nomar Mazara, TEX vs. OAK ($14): In the interest of column diversity, I won't pick on the previously mentioned A's starter too much. Mazara posted a .338 wOBA against righties last year compared to .245 against lefties, and 19 of his 20 home runs came off of right handers. His below average price in this matchup has plenty of appeal.
Byron Buxton, MIN at CWS ($11): It's certainly possible Buxton gets a day off Friday to clear his head after a 1-for-15 start to the year. But it's important to remember he closed 2016 well and enjoyed similar success during the spring. Buxton had a 10 percent higher walk rate and three percent lower strikeout rate against lefties last year, leading to a serviceable .311 wOBA. Friday's starter for the White Sox, Derek Holland, allowed righties to post a .346 wOBA while striking them out only 13.2 percent of the time.
