This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Chris Sale, BOS at MIN ($12,600): A discussion about DFS pitching needs to start with Sale, as he hasn't scored fewer than 27.4 points in a start this season. While the contest against the Twins holds the usual potential for big points, it isn't the best matchup on paper. Minnesota ranks as the best team in the league against the slider, according to RAA, and strikes out less than 20 percent of the time against lefties. It is also worth noting that Sale holds a 36 percent hard contact rate against righties. Even with a few red flags, it's tough to deny the 28-year-old and his 1.38 ERA as an option in a two-pitcher format. Players should be aware that Sale's ownership will be off the charts, so those who want to go contrarian in GPPs could look at someone like Alex Cobb ($7,700) at home against the Blue Jays, who have the fourth-worst wOBA in the league against righty pitchers.
Jose Quintana, CWS at BAL ($9,800): I've mentioned in previous columns that lefty pitchers can be used as a weapon against the Orioles based on their propensity for striking out. Quintana leans heavily on his curveball, which could help him pile up the punchouts, as Baltimore is a bottom-10 team against the pitch, according to RAA.
CATCHER
J.T. Realmuto, MIA at NYM ($3,400): At this point, we may be looking at broken Matt Harvey. The 28-year-old has just a 7.4 percent swinging strike rate this season, the worst mark of his career by a wide margin. Realmuto will be looking to take advantage of the fact that Harvey has begun throwing his slider more often, as he holds an RAA of 2.2 against the pitch. That, combined with Harvey's 36 percent hard contact rate against righties, could make him a candidate for final deletion.
FIRST BASE
T.J. Rivera, NYM vs. MIA ($2,900): Rivera has been a pleasant surprise in the absence of Lucas Duda, slashing .295/.380/.477 over 16 games. Rivera has always shown good power against righties, having notched a .213 ISO over 108 career at-bats. Jose Urena has been hammered by righties this season, surrendering a .636 slugging percentage over 7.2 innings out of the bullpen.
SECOND BASE
Jonathan Villar, MIL at PIT ($4,000):Tyler Glasnow has struggled with command against both sides of the platoon, but his troubles are more pronounced against lefties, as he has allowed a walk rate of 18 percent against his opposite hand. Villar has yet to hit his stride this year, but his 42 percent hard contact rate against righties makes him a sneaky option when facing struggling pitchers.
THIRD BASE
Miguel Sano, MIN vs. BOS ($4,400): I mentioned earlier that Sale's matchup against the Twins was a mixed bag, and Sano may be the most likely candidate to spoil the party. The 23-year-old has logged a .310 ISO against lefties this season to go along with a 45 percent hard contact rate. He has also managed a 3.1 RAA against the slider, a pitch Sale throws 29 percent of the time.
SHORTSTOP
Aledmys Diaz, STL at ATL ($3,800): It's hard to make concrete predictions for or against knuckleballers, as hitters don't see the pitch often enough to generate conclusive data. What we can say is that R.A. Dickey frequently struggles with his signature offering, having registered a negative run value with it this season. Diaz's reverse platoon split has continued into his sophomore year, as he has tallied a .208 ISO against righties over 96 at-bats.
OUTFIELD
Jorge Soler, KC vs. CLE ($3,500): Using the Royals as a stack is probably too ambitious, but we need to try to attack Mike Clevinger in his first big league start of the season. Clevinger's 1.50 ERA over six starts in Triple-A could potentially be smoke and mirrors, as it has come on the strength of a 97 percent strand rate. Soler went hitless in his season debut after recovering from an oblique injury, but he notched a .197 ISO against righties over 152 at-bats in 2016.
Avisail Garcia, CWS at BAL ($3,800):Chris Tillman got bombed in his tuneup starts while recovering from a shoulder injury, allowing 15 runs (13 earned) in 16.1 innings across three levels of Baltimore's minor league system. We can try to take advantage of the rust with Garcia and his .197 ISO against righty pitching.
Ender Inciarte, ATL vs. STL ($3,700): Inciarte's power may be a product of SunTrust Park, but DFS players can simply plug him in when appropriate, as he has notched a .596 slugging percentage in 47 home at-bats. Michael Wacha has shown vulnerability to left-handed hitters, allowing a .468 slugging percentage against them this year.
