This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Yordano Ventura, KC at TB ($7,700): With the trade of Steve Pearce, who was the best hitter for the Rays (when healthy) this season with a 148 wRC+, the Rays have decided to look to the future instead of trying to win right now. On the season, the Rays have a subpar 91 wRC+ against right-handed pitching while striking out at a substantial rate of 24.3 percent. Tropicana Field plays in favor of pitchers as well, further diminishing any woes you have in rostering a pitcher against Tampa Bay. Ventura had a 5.17 ERA (5.73 xFIP) through the first two months of the season, but he has put up a very capable 3.56 xFIP, including four starts with at least seven innings. He is a bit prone to the long ball and left-handed hitters, but a hitter-friendly park and a weak Rays lineup are enough to quell those fears (at least enough at his discounted price).
Madison Bumgarner, SF at PHI ($13,000): Coming off an eight-inning, nine-strikeout gem at Great America Ballpark last time out, it is difficult to find any fault in rostering Bumgarner in Philadelphia. The Phillies are last in wRC+ (71) against left-handed pitching this season, and July was Bumgarner's best month of the season, turning in a 3.02 xFIP (1.75 ERA) and 31.9 percent K rate in 36 innings (going at least six innings in every start). For a pitcher commended on his sterling strikeout percentages and overpowering style, Bumgarner has now pitched at least six innings in 19 consecutive outings. Basically, Bumgarner offers both an elite floor and ceiling that make him stand out as the best cash game pitcher on the slate – as long as you can make his salary work.
CATCHER
Sandy Leon, BOS at SEA ($2,700): Leon had a 234 wRC+ in June that was clearly unsustainable, but he came back with a solid 152 wRC+ in July (a number a bit inflated due to a .426 BABIP). His 248 wRC+ against lefties this season is unsustainable, but he's nonetheless showcased a good career split against lefties, while opposing starter Wade LeBlanc has allowed a 4.91 xFIP to right-handed batters this season.
FIRST BASE
Matt Adams, STL at CIN ($3,400): Adams has a solid .227 ISO against right-handed pitching this season, following the trend of past seasons, and he has a great matchup at Great American Ballpark against righty Dan Straily, who has 5.85 xFIP against left-handed hitters.
SECOND BASE
Trea Turner, WAS at ARI ($3,400): Turner seems to have secured the leadoff spot for the Nationals. While the power numbers are fairly non-existent, Turner hits for a very high average (he finished every year in the minors with a batting average over .300) and steals bases (he had eight in 17 games in the majors this year – 25 in 83 at Triple-A). The over/under is set at nine runs in the warm, thin air out in Arizona.
THIRD BASE
Greg Garcia, STL at CIN ($3,000): Garcia has a 131 wRC+ in 122 plate appearances against right-handed pitching this season. With a soft batted ball percentage of just 16.3 percent and a fairly average .312 BABIP, that number may not be as unsustainable as you'd presume. Garcia was never an elite hitter in the minors, but his wRC+ was over 100 for more seasons than it was not, and his major league net wRC+ sits at a healthy 119. As already stated, opposing is Dan Straily, who's coughed up a 5.85 xFIP against left-handed bats this season.
OUTFIELD
Stephen Piscotty, STL at CIN ($3,800): As the Cardinals' current best hitter, traveling to Great American Ballpark, below $4,000 is a mighty bargain on Piscotty, who has a solid 125 wRC+ this season.
George Springer, HOU vs. TOR ($5,000): Knuckleballers Tim Wakefield, Phil Nierko and R.A. Dickey (Houston's opposing pitcher Tuesday) spoke during the documentary Knuckleball that some hitters strive in hitting off them. Numbers against knuckleballers are scarce (there are only two in the majors), but many of the Astros have really thrived against the pitch. The most notable among them is their leadoff batter and home-run leader Springer, while Preston Tucker ($3,100) and Carlos Correa ($5,300) have also enjoyed disproportionate success against the knuckleball.
