This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Welcome to Opening Day. Three games are scheduled Sunday with the Cardinals-Pirates playing the early game. We'll draw from the later games.
PITCHER
Chris Archer, TB vs. TOR ($9,400): Archer enjoyed a solid spring, holding hitters to a .194 average. While he faces a daunting Blue Jays lineup, he gets to do so in the relatively pitcher-friendly confines of Tropicana Field. He was 3-8 at home last season, which was largely a product of tough luck. He actually sported a better home ERA (3.11) than on the road and struck out a whopping 144 batters over 110 frames. He also pitched well against Toronto last season, holding the Blue Jays to a .194 average over 37.2 innings.
CATCHER
Salvador Perez, KC vs. NYM ($3,900): Perez offers one of the rarer commodities among catchers, that being his long-ball ability. He had an above-average 85 percent contact rate in 2015, and hit 93 percent of pitches in the strike zone, both of which should serve him well against a power pitcher with superior control such as Matt Harvey. While the matchup may scare some off, it's notable that Harvey's ERA was more than a run higher on the road in 2015 (3.42 to 2.23), and Perez enjoyed a productive 2015 campaign versus right-handers. He posted a .281 average with 17 homers and 53 RBIs against righties over 359 at-bats, along with a .328 wOBA.
FIRST BASE
Lucas Duda, NYM at KC ($4,200): Duda blasted right-handed pitchers to the tune of a .354 wOBA in 2015. He also launched 20 of his 27 homers on the season against them, which netted a .236 ISO. While he'll play his game in the decidedly pitcher-friendly Kauffmann Stadium, Duda's bat offers the upside you'll need in GPPs. It's also notable that Edison Volquez had more trouble with left-handed hitters in 2015, surrendering a .321 wOBA that was 25 points higher than his figure against righties.
SECOND BASE
Neil Walker, NYM at KC ($4,100): The switch-hitting Walker makes his Mets debut against the hittable Volquez, who as noted in Lucas Duda's entry, gave up a .321 wOBA to left-handed hitters last season. Walker was also much better against righties than southpaws in 2015, tallying a .276 average and hitting all 16 of his homers against them. With plenty of firepower around him in the lineup, Walker could have a few opportunities to both score and plate some runs Sunday.
THIRD BASE
Josh Donaldson, TOR at TB ($4,100): Donaldson draws the toughest matchup on the slate in Chris Archer, but his .390 wOBA against right-handed pitching and overall pedigree makes him worthy of consideration. The reigning American League MVP blasted 32 of his 41 home runs in 2015 off righties, and Archer was actually more hittable for batters from the right side of the plate last season. Donaldson's power wasn't just a Rogers Centre illusion either, as he totaled 17 dingers on the road. While there's always risk when rostering hitters against an ace, Donaldson's bat offers significant upside.
SHORSTOP
Brad Miller, TB vs. TOR ($3,200): The newly minted Rays starting shortstop put together the best offensive season of his career last season in Seattle, which included a .348 wOBA versus right-handed pitching. Marcus Stroman has been highly impressive over his brief career, but Miller can provide multi-category production, swiping 13 bases in 2015.
OUTFIELD
Corey Dickerson, TB vs. TOR ($3,500): Dickerson is another of the Rays' offseason additions, and his .398 wOBA versus right-handed pitching could begin paying dividends for his new club in his debut. The four-year veteran launched all 10 of his homers last season against righties, while posting a .315 average and .938 OPS. His power wasn't exclusive to Coors Field either, as he split his long ball total evenly between home and road. While Tropicana Field is not a hitters' park, Dickerson should get his share of hittable pitches considering the emerging talent around him in the Rays lineup.
Yoenis Cespedes, NYM at KC ($4,600): Cespedes dominated right-handed pitching last season, posting a career-high .383 wOBA with 27 of his 35 home runs coming off righties. And 21 of those homers came on the road where totaled a .438 wOBA vs. right-handers. Sunday's opponent, Edinson Volquez, allowed a middling .308 wOBA to right-handed batters last season.
Michael Conforto, NYM at KC ($3,600): Conforto made a nice splash over his 194 at-bat debut in 2015, launching 23 extra-base hits and nine homers. He also made a living off right-handers, hitting all of his dingers against righties and posting a .371 w0BA and .256 ISO. He put the screws to the ball more often than not, tallying a 40.9 percent hard contact rate. Even though Edison Volquez is stingy with the long ball, Conforto's bat has more than enough pop to potentially deliver a solid return.
Other options: Curtis Granderson, NYM at KC ($4,500); Jose Bautista, TOR at TB ($4,300); Lorenzo Cain, KC vs. NYM ($4,300); Steven Souza, Jr., TB vs. TOR ($3,400); Kevin Kiermaier, TB vs. TOR ($3,300).
