This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Jordan Montgomery, NYY at OAK ($8,600): Oakland owns a fourth highest 25.3 strikeout percentage against southpaws this season, and there is nothing scary about the Athletics' 23rd-ranked .298 wOBA. Montgomery has also been sharp of late with just four earned runs allowed through his past four starts and 24 strikeouts over 24 innings. For the year, the rookie lefty boasts a 23.0 strikeout percentage, too.
Justin Verlander, DET vs. TB ($7,600): This is a buy-low spot for Verlander. Most of his struggles have been on the road this year, as he sports a dominant 2.10 ERA at home while limiting opposing hitters to a .267 wOBA. The Rays have been a daunting opponent for righties this season with a fifth-ranked .342 wOBA. However, Tampa Bay also sports the second-highest strikeout percentage (25.7) in the majors against right-handed arms.
CATCHER
Alex Avila, DET vs. TAM ($4,100): The backstop has been batting second against right-handed hurlers, which is a cushy spot in Detroit's stacked lineup. Alex Cobb has also surrendered a .369 wOBA to left-handed hitters dating back to last season, and Avila has posted a monster 1.129 OPS, .342 ISO and .466 wOBA against righties this year.
FIRST BASE
Matt Carpenter, STL vs. MIL ($4,000): This is a sneaky matchup for Carpenter against Zach Davies. The righty has allowed a .359 wOBA to left-handed hitters dating back to last season, and Carpenter owns long-term success against right-handed arms with a .388 wOBA against them since 2015.
SECOND BASE
Kolten Wong, STL vs. MIL ($3,400): This is a target-worthy salary considering Wong's uptick in production against right-handed hitters this season: .392 on-base percentage and .357 wOBA. As noted, this isn't a daunting matchup, and Wong's value climbs if he's hitting in the middle of the lineup Thursday.
THIRD BASE
Mike Moustakas, KC at LAA ($4,500): Quietly, Moustakas has posted monster numbers against right-handed hurlers this season with a .299 ISO, .387 wOBA and 36.6 hard-hit percentage. Facing Ricky Nolasco is a soft matchup, too. The veteran righty has served up a .351 wOBA to lefties this year.
SHORTSTOP
Trevor Story, COL vs. SFG ($3,700): Interestingly, Matt Moore has actually been tougher on right-handed hitters than lefties this season, but he's also enters Coors Field with a 7.94 road ERA while allowing a .433 wOBA away from AT&T Park. Story has posted a .346 ISO and .402 wOBA against southpaws this season, and this salary is especially low considering this game is at Coors.
OUTFIELD
Andrew Benintendi, BOS at PHI ($5,000): This is a soft matchup for Benintendi with Nick Pivetta allowing a .411 on-base percentage and .375 wOBA to left-handed hitters this season. Bentintendi owns a .357 wOBA and 37.9 hard-hit percentage against righties, and his fantasy floor and ceiling are high hitting in the heart of Boston's lineup.
Yoenis Cespedes, NYM vs. WAS ($4,400): Dating backto last season, Cespedes has posted a dominant 1.125 OPS, .340 ISO and .456 wOBA against southpaws, and he's proven his health with a 6-for-12 stretch since returning from injury. Just note that it's a tough matchup against Gio Gonzalez, as the veteran lefty has held right-handed hitters to a .326 wOBA this season.
Eric Thames, MIL at STL ($4,000): With a .691 OPS through his past 28 games, Thames has certainly cooled off. However, his salary reflects the slump, and he did homer Wednesday. Michael Wacha has allowed a .355 wOBA to left-handed hitters this season, and Thames owns a .322 ISO and .419 wOBA against righties, so the matchup also checks out.
