DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

PITCHER

Jeff Samardzija, SF at SD ($9,500): Last time Samardzija faced the Friars, he was a letdown and allowed four earned runs through six innings. Look for a better showing this time around. The veteran has a 2.74 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 49.1 innings over his past eight outings. Meanwhile, San Diego has a league-worst .291 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season.

Seth Lugo, NYM vs. PHI ($6,700): Expect Lugo to be a chalky value lean Thursday, but with an underwhelming collection of arms to choose from, he's one of the better options. He has a 2.21 ERA through his six starts this season with an underwhelming 23 strikeouts through 36.2 innings. The Phillies sweeten the deal, though, as they have a .297 wOBA and 23.0 strikeout percentage against right-handed pitching this year.

CATCHER

Yasmani Grandal, LAD vs. COL ($3,200): This is an attractive price to dial up Grandal, who has a .343 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season, while Tyler Chatwood has allowed a .330 wOBA to lefty bats this year.

FIRST BASE

Yuli Gurriel, HOU vs. LAA ($2,900): Over the past week, the rookie is just 4-for-27 with a single extra-base hit. Gurriel still had five RBI during the stretch, though, and he has a .335 wOBA against right-handed hurlers this year. With Ricky Nolasco's .334 wOBA surrendered to right-handed hitters this season, Gurriel's salary makes him a strong source of cap relief.

SECOND BASE

Adam Frazier, PIT at MIL ($3,800): Leading off in each of the past three games, Frazier's .364 on-base percentage and .357 wOBA against righty arms makes him an attractive value lean. Chase Anderson has also been pounded by left-handed hitters this year (.386 wOBA allowed).

THIRD BASE

Jose Reyes, NYM vs. PHI ($4,200): The veteran has been an elite fantasy asset against southpaws this year, with a .386 ISO and .508 wOBA. Lefty Adam Morgan has also served up a .385 wOBA against right-handed hitters this year.

SHORTSTOP

Corey Seager, LAD vs. COL ($4,700): This cap hit isn't prohibitive enough to look past Seager's .411 wOBA against right-handed arms this season, especially with Tyler Chatwood coming off a poor outing. Last time out, Chatwood allowed seven runs over five innings in a road start at San Diego.

OUTFIELD

George Springer, HOU vs. MIN ($4,100): While a superior hitter against lefties, Springer is an intriguing contrarian play at this reduced cap hit. He's posted a respectable .328 wOBA against righties this year and grabs a decent matchup against Ricky Nolasco (.334 wOBA allowed to right-handed hitters this season).

Joc Pederson, LAD vs. COL ($4,100): Another affordable piece for a Dodgers stack, Pederson boasts a .279 ISO and .379 wOBA against right-handed arms this season, with 22 of his 23 home runs against righties.

Andrew Benintendi, BOS at BAL ($3,100): A cheap flier, Benintendi has crushed right-handed arms to start his career, with a .629 slugging percentage and a .433 wOBA. It is a daunting matchup given Chris Tillman's .307 wOBA allowed to left-handed hitters, but the veteran righty also has a 5.54 ERA through his past seven outings.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Neil Parker plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: naparker77, DraftKings: naparker77.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil Parker
A loyal Cubs, Cowboys and Maple Leafs fan for decades, Neil has contributed to RotoWire since 2014. He previously worked for USA Today Fantasy Sports.
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