This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Taijuan Walker, SEA vs. OAK ($9,300): Match the 22.2 percent strikeout rate from last year with Oakland's 2.5 runs and 8.5 punchouts per game to start the season, and Walker presents exceptional value Friday. He also limited opposing hitters to a modest .300 wOBA at Safeco Field in 2015 where he upped his strikeout mark to 26.4 percent, including a 22.1:1 K:BB ratio. Plus, opposing hurler Eric Surkamp should help the M's offense provide Walker with plenty of run support.
Jaime Garcia, STL at ATL ($8,900): This is a juicy matchup for the veteran lefty, and he should be able to out-produce his unattractive 18.9 career strikeout percentage. Last season, Atlanta fanned at a 20.5 percent rate against lefties with a target-worthy .282 wOBA and 74 wRC+. Additionally, Garcia posted a 61.2 ground-ball percentage and allowed just 0.42 HR/9. However, this is likely best viewed as a high-floor, low-ceiling start.
CATCHER
Chris Iannetta, SEA vs. OAK ($3,200): In the real and fake game, Iannetta is essentially a one-trick pony: southpaw feaster. Dating back to 2012, the backstop has a .194 ISO, .370 wOBA and 142 wRC+ against left-handed hurlers. Oakland starter Eric Surkamp has faced 188 right-handed batters during his career and allowed a .375 wOBA. It's worth noting, he has fared worse against lefty bats (.397 wOBA and 31.5 hard-hit percentage).
FIRST BASE
Prince Fielder, TEX at LAA ($4,500): With a 44.4 hard-hit percentage and .214 ISO to start the season, and opposing-starter Matt Shoemaker coming off a campaign where he allowed a 14.0 HR/FB percentage, Fielder is a nice value in the heart of a powerful lineup. Fielder also has a .384 wOBA and 148 wRC+ against righties since 2012, including .392 and 146 marks, respectively, last season.
SECOND BASE
Joe Panik, SF vs. LAD ($3,800): Scorching hot to start the season (5-for-17 with five runs and four RBI), Panik has also fared well against southpaws since entering the league with a .355 wOBA and 133 wRC+, including .409 and 168 marks at home against lefties. Beware of Panik's ownership percentage in big tournaments, though; he is going to be popular.
Kolten Wong, STL at ATL ($3,600): A Panik alternative, Wong's average .315 wOBA and 100 wRC+ project to receive a boost with Atlanta starter Matt Wisler's struggles against left-handed batters last season (.569 slugging percentage and .419 wOBA, including a home run for every 23.7 batters faced). Wong is best left to GPP contests, though.
THIRD BASE
Miguel Sano, MIN at KC ($4,200): Last season, Sano registered an extra-base hit once every 9.3 plate appearances and a home run every 18.6. With just two singles through 12 trips to the dish over three games this season, look for signs of the masher who posted a .273 ISO, .397 wOBA and 154 wRC+ against righties last year. Just note, Yordano Ventura presents an unfavorable matchup (.305 wOBA allowed to right-handed batters for his career), but it should make Sano scarcely owned at the hot corner.
SHORTSTOP
Ketel Marte, SEA vs. OAK ($3,600): During his 57-game rookie debut, Marte reached base at a .359 clip with 25 runs and eight stolen bases. He hit second in both games the Mariners faced a lefty this season, and after a three-hit game Thursday, look for the shortstop to return to the cushy lineup spot. Eric Surkamp has allowed a .437 on-base percentage through his seven career starts, too.
OUTFIELD
Mike Trout, LAA vs. TEX ($5,200): The star reached base four times Thursday and has a career .268 ISO, .409 wOBA and 169 wRC+ against right-handed arms at Angel Stadium. Hope others view the early struggles (it's been three games) and lack of handedness advantage (the above numbers are elite) as negatives, and Trout flies under the radar a smidge. A.J. Griffin hasn't made a major league start since 2013, either.
David Peralta, ARI vs. CHC ($3,600): With eight hits already, Peralta has picked up where he left off during his beastly second half last year (.977 OPS, .216 ISO, .414 wOBA and 162 wRC+), and he stands out as a supreme value. The numbers against right-handed arms dating back to the beginning of 2015 are equally impressive: .953 OPS, .234 ISO, .403 wOBA and 153 wRC+.
Colby Rasmus, HOU at MIL ($3,400): Locked into the cleanup spot, Rasmus has somewhat amazingly failed to register an RBI despite Houston racking up 16 runs through three games and his .300 batting average. Dating back to 2013, the streaky outfielder has a .240 ISO, .348 wOBA and 121 wRC+ against right-handed hurlers, so look for his fortunes to improve Friday. Plus, the cap hit is low.
