This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHER
Rich Hill, LAD vs. AZ ($18,800): Hill left his last start on April 5 because of a blister on his throwing hand, but he's had over 10 days to recover and the team feels he's ready to return. His comeback comes against a vulnerable opponent in the Diamondbacks, who ranked in the bottom five in wOBA against lefties last season and bottom 10 in K% against them.
Antonio Senzatela, COL at SF ($10,800): Senzatela will be making just his third start in the big leagues, but he's been very impressive through his first two starts. This isn't a pick based on a great matchup, as San Francisco was middle of the pack against righties last season. This pick is based on his performance this season and the Giants' unfamiliarity with Senzatela, as he has yet to face anyone in the lineup.
INFIELD
Francisco Lindor, CLE vs. DET ($8,400):Matt Boyd takes the hill for the Tigers and he's likely in for a tough day against a Cleveland lineup with more than a few right-handed bats. Lindor is at the top of that particular list, as he provides the biggest threat from the right side. Boyd is pretty good at getting lefties out, but he allowed a .341 wOBA to righties last year and that number has held steady through two starts this season.
Joey Votto, CIN vs. MIL ($9,600): Milwaukee starter Wily Peralta gave up just three runs in six innings in his previous start against Toronto, which at the time looked like a pretty solid start. However, the Blue Jays have been in a big slump and suddenly we need to pump the brakes on the talk about Peralta being back to his old form. He has looked better this season through two starts, but it will take more than that to prove he's a good major league pitcher again. His numbers against lefties were horrible last season, and until he gets through a few more starts unscathed, we have to assume he's still the guy from last year. The Reds don't have a lot of big bats on the left side, but they have Votto, who's one of the best in the game against righties.
Miguel Cabrera, DET at CLE ($9,600): Outside of Mookie Betts, Cabrera probably has the worst points-per-dollar ratio of anyone, but that is mostly due to a horrible opening week. Cabrera is starting to heat up, and he now has a streak of three consecutive double-digit games. The matchup against Carlos Carrasco doesn't appear great, but Carrasco isn't very tough on righties and Cabrera does most of his damage against righties, posting a .403 wOBA against righties, which was good for 11th in the majors.
OUTFIELD
Mike Trout, LAA at KC ($9,900): Trout is matchup proof right now and if you can afford the price, it's easiest just to put him in your lineup and build around him. Through 11 games, his wOBA is .451, which breaks out to .466 versus righties and .375 against lefties. He has every aspect working right now, if he doesn't hit for power, he steals a base; everything is working. Trout faces Ian Kennedy, a right-hander, who actually fared worse against righties last season, which in this case is merely a bonus.
Bryce Harper, WAS vs. PHI ($9,600):Jerad Eickhoff appears to be in big trouble as he takes the mound against the Nationals' left-handed heavy lineup. Eickhoff was pounded by lefties last season to the tune of a .347 wOBA and 470 xFIP. There were a few Nationals with better wOBA numbers against righties last season, but Harper still posted a very respectable .352, and he should have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs.
Jose Ramirez, CLE vs. DET ($8,100): I mentioned earlier that you'll want to target righties against Matt Boyd, and Ramirez is one of those righties. He was slightly better batting from the right side last season, but his best splits were home versus away, posting a .406 wOBA at home versus .301 wOBA on the road. He's at home and facing a lefty, so everything is lined up.
UTLIITY
Daniel Murphy, WAS vs. PHI ($8,700): Murphy might be at the top of the list of lefties to line up against Jerad Eickhoff, as he had a .419 wOBA against righties last season, which was good for fourth in all of baseball. This year, through 42 at-bats, his wOBA against righties is even higher at .429.
Freddie Freeman, ATL vs. SD ($9,200):Trevor Cahill takes the mound for the visiting Padres and he's struggled against left-handed hitters throughout his career. He was originally slated to take on the Rockies at Coors Field on Monday, but a quick DL stint allowed him to avoid that. He's supposed to be activated prior to the matchup with the Braves, and if he is, Freeman is the Brave you should target.
