This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Pitcher
John Lackey, CHC vs. MIL ($10,200): Lackey has blown hitters away in his first two starts of 2017, notching 17 strikeouts over 12 innings. The Brewers struck out 26 percent of the time against righties last season while notching a .309 wOBA.
Brandon McCarthy, LAD vs. ARI ($7,900): The Diamondbacks were a bottom-10 team away from Chase Field in 2016 and have gotten off to an even worse start this season, as they currently hold the third worst wOBA on the road (thanks to a 27 percent strikeout rate). McCarthy has recorded a 25 percent hard contact rate over his first two starts, allowing two runs in 12 innings over that span.
Catcher
Stephen Vogt, OAK vs. TEX ($3,400):A.J. Griffin was trounced by lefties in 2016, allowing a .623 slugging percentage and 18 homers over 56.1 innings. Vogt could benefit from the fact that the right-hander likes to go to his curveball, as he tallied a 4.7 runs against average against it last season. Griffin needs to be looked at as a stack target whenever he takes the mound, as he has surrendered 17 homers in his last 10 starts.
First Base
Carlos Santana, CLE at MIN ($4,400):Kyle Gibson's 47 percent ground ball rate hasn't prevented balls from leaving the yard this season, as he has allowed three homers over his first nine innings (two starts). Santana could take advantage of Gibson's reliance on the slider, having tallied a 4.9 RAA against the pitch in 2016.
Second Base
Brandon Phillips, ATL vs. SD ($3,600): An average fastball velocity of 83 miles per hour and a penchant for allowing fly balls has hurt Jered Weaver to begin 2017, as he has allowed four home runs over his first 11 innings. The 34-year-old was hit hard by both sides of the platoon last year, but righties did a bit better in terms of power, hitting a whopping 22 homers over 102 innings.
Third Base
Justin Turner, LAD vs. ARI ($3,700):Robbie Ray has always had problems commanding the strike zone, as evidenced by his 9.2 percent career walk rate. Ray has begun the season throwing his slider at a 26 percent clip, which could allow Turner, who notched a 10.8 RAA against the pitch in 2016, to have success at the plate.
Shortstop
Aledmys Diaz, STL vs. PIT ($4,200): Diaz showed significantly more power against same-handed pitchers last season. This trend has continued in 2017, as he has tallied a .314 ISO over 35 at-bats. Ivan Nova has become something of a ground ball specialist, which could work in favor of Diaz, who currently holds a 48 percent fly ball rate.
Outfield
Mike Trout, LAA at HOU, ($5,400):Charlie Morton has developed a reputation for throwing a curveball, as he went to the pitch nearly 26 percent of the time last season. This is good news for Trout, as the reigning American League MVP led all hitters with a 13.0 RAA against the pitch.
Giancarlo Stanton, MIA at SEA ($4,400): It may be wise to line up as many power righties as you can find against Ariel Miranda, who has allowed 14 homers to opposite-handed hitters in just 57 career innings. Stanton struggled against righties in 2016, but did damage against left-handed pitching, slugging .568 with a .295 ISO over 88 at-bats.
Aaron Judge, NYY vs. CWS ($3,900):Derek Holland has started strong in his first year with the White Sox, but currently carries a 9:5 K:BB over 12 innings. It is also worth noting that the 30-year-old has tallied a hard contact rate of over 36 percent despite pitching to a 1.50 ERA.
