This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHERS:
Corey Kluber, CLE vs. CWS ($24,400): - Kluber stumbled two starts ago versus the Tigers, but he's scored between 26.55 and 44.25 fantasy points in his three other most recent starts. The high end of that range came against this same White Sox squad, which has an AL-low .293 wOBA (including .291 on the road) and 23.7 percent strikeout rate versus righties, along with an AL-worst 29.4 percent hard contact rate. Kluber is also a workhorse who always has a chance of turning in a full nine, helping to maximize his fantasy output.
Brad Peacock, HOU vs. LAA ($15,300): - While there are some appealing options closer to the top end of the pricing scale, Peacock makes for a solid mid-range play if you need to save some cash at the SP2 spot. The converted reliever has started to stretch out, firing a season-high 86 pitches over six innings in his last start and compiling a season-best 27.90 fantasy points. Peacock also posted 23.95 fantasy points in just 4.1 innings against the Tigers, a feat he managed largely due to his eight strikeouts. The Angels check in with a subpar .298 wOBA versus righties, including a majors-worst .274 when facing that handedness on the road. Peacock has also been outstanding at home, posting a 1.23 ERA, .104 BAA and .199 wOBA over 14.2 innings at Minute Maid Park.
INFIELD
Jose Altuve, HOU vs. LAA ($10,200): - Altuve checks in with a .385 average, a double, three homers and five RBI over 28 career encounters with Angels starter Matt Shoemaker, who's given up a .319 wOBA, 5.15 xFIP and 36.7 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters, and who's been on the right side of luck against them on the road thus far as evidenced by an unsustainable .184 BABIP. Altuve boasts a .390 wOBA against right-handed pitching, and a .447 wOBA over his first 29 plate appearances of June. The Angels bullpen also presents a juicy matchup for Altuve, as they've given up 32 extra-base hits (16 doubles, a triple and 15 homers) and a 4.43 ERA to righty bats, along with a 33.8 percent hard contact rate.
Daniel Murphy, WAS vs. TEX ($9,000): - Murphy is punishing righties once again this season, posting a .400 wOBA and 32.1 percent hard contact rate versus that handedness, and a robust 33.3 percent line drive rate against them at home. He's also been red-hot in June, tallying a .424 wOBA over his first six games of the month. Rangers starter Andrew Cashner has given up a .325 wOBA to lefty bats, along with a 6.42 xFIP. Murphy also has punished him for a .556 average, a double, homer and four RBI over 10 career encounters, and Texas relievers have given up a 5.55 ERA and 15 homers to left-handed hitters as well.
Chad Pinder, OAK at TB ($4,800): - Pinder is bargain-bin-priced despite some solid GPP upside, and he draws a favorable matchup against Rays starter Alex Cobb, who's given up a .344 wOBA and 35.6 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters. Cobb was also blasted for nine earned runs in his first start of June, while Pinder has a .392 wOBA (including .532 on the road) and six homers versus righties. He's also posted an impressive 27.3 percent line drive rate and 54.6 percent hard contact rate against that handedness on the road, and Rays relievers have surrendered a robust 4.69 ERA to righty bats as well.
OUTFIELD
Michael Conforto, NYM at ATL ($9,600): - Braves starter Julio Teheran has been pummeled by left-handed hitters all season, particularly at SunTrust Park. Teheran has given up a .488 wOBA and seven homers against lefty bats at home, along with a 22.6 percent line drive rate and 40.7 percent hard contact rate. He was blasted in his first start of June for seven earned runs over five innings as well, while Conforto owns a .422 wOBA, .307 ISO and 45.6 percent hard contact rate versus right-handed pitching, with the latter figure rising to 47.1 percent when facing that handedness on the road.
Jose Ramirez, CLE at CWS ($8,000): - The switch-hitting Ramirez has blasted right-handed pitching for a .385 wOBA, along with a 25.0 percent line drive rate and 35.0 percent hard contact rate when facing them at home. White Sox starter Miguel Gonzalez has yielded a .377 wOBA to left-handed hitters, including a .425 wOBA when facing them on the road, and has given up a 5.74 ERA and .375 wOBA over 42.1 road frames this season overall.
Enrique Hernandez, LAD vs. CIN ($6,400): - Reds southpaw Amir Garrett has had a rough introduction to the majors, particularly against right-handed hitters, who've touched him up for 11 homers, a .374 wOBA and 39.4 percent hard contact rate. Garrett has also generated a 7.65 ERA and surrendered a robust 42.2 percent hard contact rate on the road. That makes lefty-masher Hernandez an appealing value play Friday, considering his .427 wOBA, .385 ISO and 38.1 percent hard contact rate versus southpaws at Dodger Stadium.
UTILITY:
Brett Gardner, NYY vs. BAL ($9,000): - Orioles starter Dylan Bundy has been solid but has been vulnerable to lefty bats on the road, surrendering a .359 wOBA, 5.60 xFIP, 23.8 percent line drive rate and 43.2 percent hard contact rate, while also posting 4.50 K/9 and 3.86 BB/9 rates that are downright appalling. Gardner checks in with a .375 wOBA, .245 ISO, 10 of his 12 homers and a 40.7 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitchers, and owns a .500 average versus Bundy in 11 career encounters.
J.T. Riddle, MIA at PIT ($5,700): - Pirates starter Tyler Glasnow has surrendered a .439 wOBA, 23.5 percent line drive rate and 32.1 percent hard contact rate to left-handed hitters, along with a massive 6.00 BB/9 and 2.25 HR/9. Riddle has racked up an impressive 44.8 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching -- including 48.0 percent on the road -- and has hit all three of his homers versus that handedness as well. The Pirates bullpen has also been vulnerable to lefty bats, surrendering a .327 wOBA and eight homers, with seven of those coming at PNC Park.
