DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

PITCHER

Ervin Santana, MIN v.s COL ($7,400): In a weak pitching pool, Santana's early-season run and salary make him a viable option. While his results are way above his weight class, as his 4.19 FIP highlights, the Rockies also sport a 28th-ranked .295 road wOBA. Colorado's 25.3 strikeout percentage away from Coors Field is also worth picking on. Plus, Santana has pitched at least six innings in every start and only allowed more than a single run in one of his eight outings.

Hector Velazquez, BOS at STL ($6,400): The 28-year-old Mexican will be making his major league debut after just five starts at the Triple-A level. He posted a 1.55 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 2.96 FIP with Pawtucket, and there won't be much film -- if any -- on Velazquez for the Cards to turn to. The range of outcomes is huge, but Velazquez can return value without a dominant outing at his salary.

CATCHER

Cameron Rupp, PHI at TEX ($3,500):Martin Perez has held right-handed hitters to a .328 wOBA this season, but he's also allowed a 36.6 hard-hit percentage, so it isn't a matchup to avoid. Additionally, considering Rupp has posted a .979 OPS, .281 ISO and .409 wOBA against southpaws, he's a solid low-priced target.

FIRST BASE

Chris Davis, BAL at DET ($4,600): With a .857 slugging percentage through his past 10 games, Davis has caught fire. This is also a solid matchup against Jordan Zimmermann. Davis sports a .268 ISO and .357 wOBA against right-handed pitchers dating back to last season, and Zimmermann has surrendered a .385 wOBA to lefty bats this season.

SECOND BASE

Javier Baez, CHC vs. CIN ($3,600): After posting a .359 wOBA against left-handed hurlers last season, his current .200 mark has oodles of positive regression ahead. The wind is projected to be blowing straight out at Wrigley Field, so rookie Amir Garrett could be in for a long afternoon, and especially with the Cubs posting 16 runs through the first two games of this series. Baez's salary also opens up spending room for other positions.

THIRD BASE

Kris Bryant, CHC vs. CIN ($5,300): Dating back to last season, Bryant has posted a 1.114 OPS, .350 ISO and .458 wOBA against southpaws, and he faces a rookie lefty with the wind projected to be howling out at Wrigley Field. Amir Garrett has held right-handed hitters to a .311 wOBA this season, so hopefully that keeps Bryant's ownership in check.

SHORTSTOP

Hernan Perez, MIL at SD ($4,000): Milwaukee injuries have Perez hitting in the heart of the lineup, and he's posted a .528 slugging percentage through his past 12 games. Perez has also posted a rock-solid .359 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, and Jarred Cosart has surrendered a .374 mark to right-handed hitters this season.

OUTFIELD

Nelson Cruz, SEA vs. CWS ($5,000): With a .241 ISO and .373 wOBA against right-handed hurlers over the past three years, Cruz is a strong option with a cushy matchup against Dylan Covey. The rookie righty sports a 7.10 FIP and has allowed 26 runs through 29.1 innings this season. Covey has also surrendered a .542 wOBA to right-handed hitters.

Giancarlo Stanton, MIA at LAD ($4,400): Dating back to the 2015 season, Stanton boasts a .429 ISO and .446 wOBA against southpaws. With such a manageable cap hit, he's worth a long look in this favorable matchup. Hyun-Jin Ryu has surrendered a .381 wOBA to right-handed batters this season.

Seth Smith, BAL at DET ($3,600): As noted, this is a soft matchup against Jordan Zimmermann, Smith has succeeded setting the table against right-handed hurlers. He's posed a .379 on-base percentage and .376 wOBA against righties this season, and the first-year Oriole also provides cap relief.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Neil Parker plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: naparker77, DraftKings: naparker77.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil Parker
Neil is a former RotoWire contributor. A loyal Cubs, Cowboys and Maple Leafs fan for decades, Neil had contributed to RotoWire since 2014. He previously worked for USA Today Fantasy Sports.
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