This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHERS:
Jacob deGrom, NYM vs. PHI ($24,300):- deGrom has bounced back from a couple of rough outings by scoring over 30 fantasy points in three straight starts. He's been stellar at home this season as well, generating a 2.76 ERA, .284 wOBA, .205 BAA and 54 strikeouts over 45.2 innings. The Phillies check in with the lowest road wOBA (.287) in the majors, along with a 28.8 percent hard contact rate. They've been even worse against right-handed pitching away from home over the last month, posting a .275 wOBA and 27.0 percent strikeout rate against that handedness over that span.
Ariel Miranda, SEA at LAA ($10,800):- There's quite a few viable mid-tier options on Friday's large slate, but for needing to really cut costs, Miranda is worth a look. The Angels sport an AL-low .281 wOBA against southpaws at home over the last month, along with a 21.5 percent strikeout rate and anemic 25.5 percent hard contact rate. Miranda brings some notable upside for his bargain price, having posted over 20 fantasy points in five starts (including 20.95 against the Angels on May 4) and 39.75 in one other this season. The one caveat here is that Miranda has struggled on the road, but if you need to go cheap at SP 2 Friday, he's certainly GPP-worthy.
INFIELD
Jose Ramirez, CLE at DET ($9,900):- A number of Indians bats from both sides of the plate are under consideration against Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez, who's surrendered a .363 wOBA to left-handed hitters, along with a 5.59 xFIP. He's also yielded a 31.3 percent line drive rate and 43.8 percent hard contact rate to that handedness at Comerica Park, while the switch-hitting Ramirez has hit nine of his 12 homers on the season off righties, and owns a .415 wOBA, .271 ISO, 23.4 percent line drive rate and 36.5 percent hard contact rate versus that handedness.
Carlos Correa, HOU vs. NYY ($8,700):- Correa draws a tasty matchup in the form of Yankees starter Michael Pineda, who he's already battered for a .600 average, two doubles, three homers and four RBI over 12 career plate appearances. Pineda has given up a .385 wOBA on the road, including a .336 wOBA to righty bats. That handedness has also touched him up for 10 homers on the season, while Correa sports a .436 wOBA, .308 ISO and 41.0 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching at Minute Maid Park.
Ian Kinsler, DET vs. CLE ($7,200):- The Tigers are in a good spot in their own right against Indians starter Josh Tomlin, who's struggled against both handedness of hitter, including yielding a .377 wOBA, nine homers, a 25.4 percent line drive rate and a 34.0 percent hard contact rate to right-handed bats. Kinsler has a monthly-best five homers and .362 wOBA in June, along with a .331 wOBA, 21.0 percent line drive rate and 37.1 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching overall. He also boasts a long and favorable history against Tomlin, having hit .370 with two doubles, a homer and three RBI over 28 career plate appearances.
OUTFIELD
Corey Dickerson, TB at BAL ($9,600):- Orioles starter Chris Tillman is in the midst of the worst stretch of pitching of his career, while Dickerson is enjoying a breakout season in which he's boasting a .418 wOBA, .232 ISO, 23.8 percent line drive rate and 38.1 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching on the road. Tillman sports an 11.14 ERA, .478 wOBA and has allowed seven homers in the 21.0 innings encompassing his last four starts, and he's been decimated by left-handed hitters for a .468 wOBA, 7.64 xFIP and 3.00 WHIP when facing them at Camden Yards. Notably, his hard contact rate allowed overall has also seen a notable boost in June to 41.7 percent from May's 31.0 percent.
Josh Reddick, HOU vs. NYY ($8,100):- Michael Pineda's road struggles were detailed earlier, and they include a .443 wOBA, four homers, 2.21 WHIP and 5.73 xFIP against lefty bats over a 67-hitter sample. Reddick's bat is scalding-hot, as evidenced by a .435 wOBA, .235 ISO and 50.0 percent hard contact rate over 75 June plate appearances. He also boasts a .425 wOBA and .250 ISO against right-handers at Minute Maid Park, and the Yankees bullpen has also been vulnerable to left-handed hitters on the road over the last month (.357 wOBA, 26.3 percent line drive rate allowed).
Matt Joyce, OAK vs. ATL ($7,200):- Braves starter Michael Foltynewicz's
Achilles' heel has been left-handed hitters, making Joyce an appealing value tournament play Friday. Folty's struggles include a .399 wOBA, 2.16 HR/9 and 31.6 percent hard contact rate allowed to lefty bats outside of SunTrust Park, while Joyce checks in with a .407 wOBA, .259 ISO and 30.7 percent hard contact rate over 96 plate appearances in June. He's also posted a .330 wOBA, 24.2 percent line drive rate and 32.3 percent hard contact rate at home against right-handed pitching, furthering his case.
UTILITY:
Chris Owings, ARI vs. COL ($8,700):- Owings boasts a modest but favorable history against returning Rockies right-hander Jon Gray, who he's tagged for a .667 average in six career plate appearances. Gray doesn't have much of a 2017 sample to evaluate due to his injury, but he's allowed a .327 wOBA to right-handed hitters over his two-plus major-league seasons. Owings boasts a .392 wOBA, .231 ISO, 25.0 percent line drive rate and 43.2 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching at Chase Field, and he's sporting a monthly-best 38.9 percent hard contact rate in June.
Yoenis Cespedes, NYM vs. PHI ($8,700):- Phillies starter Ben Lively has generally been impressive in his rookie season, but he's yielded a .357 wOBA and 5.65 xFIP to right-handed hitters, along with a 27.0 percent line drive rate and 39.5 percent hard contact rate to them on the road. Cespedes checks in with a .388 wOBA and 44.7 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching at home, along with a .376 wOBA over the 63 plate appearances he's had in June.
