Pitcher
Ian Kennedy, KAN vs. MIN ($39): Kennedy enters Friday in good form, having allowed only one run while striking out 13 over his last 15 innings. He's been given only one run of support in those two games, but the Twins counter with Kyle Gibson Friday, who has allowed 17 runs in 17 innings, seemingly putting Kennedy in position for his first win of the season. Minnesota is hitting only .242 against righties while striking out 20.7 percent of the time, giving Kennedy some upside the deeper he can work.
Chase Anderson, MIL vs. ATL ($36): The Braves rank 27th in runs scored entering Thursday, averaging just 3.8 runs per game, and as a team own a 21.7 percent strikeout rate, .143 ISO and .307 wOBA against righties. Anderson has been hot to open the year, allowing only three runs in his first 24.0 innings while striking out 22, and this is a solid matchup for that streak to continue.
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Catcher
Jett Bandy, MIL vs. ATL ($10): After not playing Wednesday and the Brewers having Thursday off, it may seem that Friday is Manny Pina's turn behind the dish. But Bandy has caught all four of Chase Anderson's starts thus far, and assuming he's in the lineup again, he'll bring a hot bat with him. Bandy is 9-for-19 in his last five starts, leading to a .353 wOBA against righties.
First Base
Edwin Encarnacion, CLE vs. SEA ($16): Since appearing here last Friday, Encarnacion has gone just 3-of-17 with one extra-base hit, so there's obviously plenty of risk at a premium position. But he owned a .385 wOBA and .275 ISO against lefties a season ago, offering some hope against Ariel Miranda, who's allowed five home runs to 66 right handed batters this season.
Second Base
Joe Panik, SF vs. SD ($17): The only knock on Panik remains his place in the bottom of the order. But he owns a .423 wOBA against righties while striking out only 8.7 percent of the time entering a matchup with Luis Perdomo, who has allowed a career .370 wOBA to left-handed bats in his career (326 batters faced) and has allowed eight runs over 10.1 innings to date.
Third Base
Mike Moustakas, KAN vs. MIN ($19): We touched on the struggles of Twins' starter Kyle Gibson to open this column, and that makes finding some bargain options among Royal bats prudent. Moustakas may not fit that bill, but he does at his position where five others are priced higher. He's hitting the ball with great authority this season, owning a .432 wOBA, .375 ISO and a 40.4 hard hit percentage against righties.
Shortstop
Carlos Correa, HOU vs. OAK ($12): At this price, the risk is minimal while the potential remains huge. Correa is showing a little sign of life with four hits, two for extra bases, in his last three games entering Thursday. He had a .360 wOBA and .839 OPS against righties last year entering a matchup with Jharel Cotton, who has surrendered 12 runs over 22.2 innings.
Outfield
A.J. Pollock, ARI vs. COL ($21): Pollock has hit lefties better than anyone else on his team in the early going, posting a .400 wOBA and .959 OPS. Rockies rookie Kyle Freeland has been impressive through four starts, allowing one run or fewer in three of them, but he's failed to reach the fifth inning twice, issuing 10 walks over 21.2 frames. At the top of the lineup, Pollock should have a safe floor at a minimum.
Aaron Hicks/Aaron Judge, NYY vs. BAL ($15/$16): This is an either/or situation here, as both represent nice options against O's starter Kevin Gausman, who has allowed 13 runs and four homers over his last 8.0 innings. Hicks sports a .556 wOBA against righties and a 28.6 percent walk rate, while Judge comes with a .387 wOBA, .352 ISO and 27.1 percent strikeout rate. Hicks offers the safe floor, Judge the higher ceiling in a plus matchup.
Daniel Nava, PHI at LAD ($11): With the late start, Nava will come with some risk as he's no sure thing to be in the starting lineup. If he is, however, he's sporting an eye opening .467 ISO and .504 wOBA against righties. Dodgers starter Kenta Maeda has allowed seven home runs over 19.0 innings and sports an 8.05 ERA, while allowing a .450 wOBA to lefthanders.
