This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Julio Urias, LAD vs. SD ($9,600): Urias has been masterful in his last two starts, allowing just one run in 12 innings while posting a tremendous 14:2 K:BB. He took advantage of Dodger Stadium's pitcher-friendly nature to beat an elite Cubs team last time out, so an encore performance against a mediocre Padres squad shouldn't be hard to achieve. San Diego has been the most pitcher-friendly opponent in DraftKings scoring this season, so don't expect them to slow the 20-year-old phenom down now that he's finally gotten going at the major-league level.
Jeremy Hellickson, PHI vs. ATL ($4,500): Hellickson's subpar showing against the Mets last time out is a blessing in disguise, as it will allow owners to pick the right-hander up for just $4,500 against a Braves squad that scores fewer runs than any team except his own Phillies. With a 7.66 K/9 that represents his career-best mark since a small-sample rookie season, the former Rays starter is also well equipped to rack up some extra points via the strikeout. The lineup flexibility provided by utilizing him at this price is too tantalizing to turn down.
CATCHER
Welington Castillo, ARI at COL ($5,200): Castillo has reached a new career-high in RBI during his first full season with the Diamondbacks, due in large part to an outstanding .409 wOBA against southpaws. Arizona's red-hot cleanup hitter has driven in 13 runs over the last seven games, and he should be able to maintain that success with subpar lefty Jorge De La Rosa on the mound in Colorado. Runs should be plentiful for the Diamondbacks given the venue and opposition, with their catcher as likely as anybody to drive them in.
FIRST BASE
Jefry Marte, LLA at SEA ($3,800): Marte's recent power binge has elevated him into the cleanup spot, from which he has a golden opportunity to deliver against subpar southpaw Ariel Miranda (5.70 ERA). The sophomore major-leaguer has preferred to face lefties, with a .355 wOBA through 97 plate appearances in his brief career, and he is in position to increase that mark against a rookie pitcher who has allowed at least three earned runs in three of four starts. With Mike Trout and Albert Pujols batting in front of him, Marte is likely to drive in some runs if he can add to the two homers and pair of doubles he has mustered in the last four games.
SECOND BASE
DJ LeMahieu, COL vs. ARI ($5,100): LeMahieu has smoked left-handed pitching, posting a .420 wOBA this season, and that number rises to an incredible .468 in the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field. He has already amassed five hits, four runs and three RBI through the first three games of Colorado's nine-game home stand, and Robbie Ray is unlikely to slow his roll after allowing four homers over four innings in his only previous encounter with the Rockies this season. The second baseman's high floor makes him a smart option in what promises to be a high-scoring affair.
THIRD BASE
Matt Carpenter, STL at CIN ($4,500): Carpenter has pummeled righties to the tune of a .403 wOBA, and things should be no different facing Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani. St. Louis tagged DeSclafani for three runs and eight baserunners in five innings during their previous encounter on Aug. 10, with the leadoff man contributing a homer and scoring twice. A repeat performance is likely in the cards against a pitcher who has dominated right-handed bats but allows a .362 wOBA from the other side.
SHORTSTOP
Marcus Semien, OAK vs. BOS ($3,000): Semien's success against lefties and prominent place in Oakland's lineup make him a strong yet affordable option. The recently-instituted leadoff man has posted a .379 wOBA in his favorable split, and he is swinging a hot bat with five doubles among his eight hits in the last seven games.
OUTFIELD
Yasmany Tomas, ARI at COL ($4,900): Tomas has already made quite a name for himself against lefties, posting a .416 wOBA while hitting nine homers and seven doubles in 113 plate appearances. Scoring is rarely hard to come by at Coors Field, so Tomas could easily join teammate Welington Castillo among the league's most productive players, especially with Jorge De La Rosa (5.09 ERA) pitching for the opposition.
Jacoby Ellsbury, NYY at BAL ($5,200): Ellsbury has heated up over the past seven games, recording 10 hits while scoring eight runs and driving in six more. With Orioles righty Dylan Bundy hitting a rookie wall in his last three starts, the veteran outfielder is well-positioned to maintain his impressive recent form. Bundy has given up 12 earned runs over 14.1 innings in that stretch, including a four-inning and five runs allowed stint at Yankee Stadium in which Ellsbury doubled and scored. With New York likely to score quite a bit in this one, his spot at the top third of the order has him set up for success.
Hyun Soo Kim, BAL vs. NYY ($3,800): Yankees starter Chad Green is vulnerable after allowing four runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings against Kim's Orioles last time out, and the South Korean outfielder is primed to take advantage of the favorable matchup given his .377 wOBA against right-handed pitching. Kim plays almost exclusively against righties, but he enjoys a fantasy-friendly role while usually hitting second in the order. After picking up two hits with Green toeing the rubber last week, the 28-year-old rookie slugger is ready for an even stronger encore at home.
