This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Wednesday's all-day MLB slate begins at 1:05 PM Eastern time and features all 30 teams. In a slate that lacks big-name pitchers, it's important to make every pick count. The players below are found all across the price spectrum, but all make for strong value plays in their respective matchups.
PITCHER
Brent Suter, MIL vs. STL ($6,200): Suter should greatly outperform his $6,200 price tag given his results since moving into the rotation. In five starts since July 3, the left-hander's 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 25:5 K:BB. Suter's last outing was his most impressive yet, as he beat the Cubs with seven shutout innings. Keeping the good times rolling should be easy against a Cardinals team that has scored the fourth-fewest runs against lefties this season.
Ervin Santana, MIN at SD ($10,200): Santana has scuffled a bit of late, but has an excellent opportunity to get back on track against a Padres team that ranks last in runs per game (3.81) and strikes out the third-most (9.38). Even with his recent struggles, Santana sports a terrific 3.37 ERA and 1.14 WHIP while pitching at least six innings in 16 of 21 starts. The veteran's combination of length and matchup give him the highest floor in this slate.
CATCHER
Francisco Cervelli, PIT vs. CIN ($2,600): Reds righty Robert Stephenson is an excellent candidate to stack against, as he has produced a 7.86 ERA and 2.04 WHIP in 34.1 innings. In addition to being one of Pittsburgh's most affordable players, Cervelli has excelled in righty-on-righty matchups, making him a good bet for success against a pitcher allowing a wOBA over .400 to hitters from both sides. Cervelli's .337 mark over 182 at-bats in that split is .045 higher than what he has managed in 53 at-bats against lefties.
FIRST BASE
Edwin Encarnacion, CLE at BOS ($3,800): Encarnacion has recovered from a slow start to push his wOBA against righties over .350. He has the perfect opportunity to raise it higher against familiar foe Rick Porcello. Porcello has allowed a .351 wOBA to right-handed hitters while losing a league-high 14 games already and pitching to a 5.01 ERA at Fenway Park. Encarnacion has found success against the 2016 AL Cy Young winner even in his better seasons, with a career .325/.341/.675 line in 40 at-bats.
SECOND BASE
Jonathan Schoop, BAL vs. KC ($4,100): Schoop is surprisingly affordable considering he's been Baltimore's best hitter this season. That's been especially true against lefties, who Schoop has pummeled for a .404 wOBA in 103 at-bats. Southpaw Jason Vargas will have trouble slowing the red-hot second baseman down from the form that's seen him smash six homers in the past 12 games.
THIRD BASE
Adrian Beltre, TEX vs. SEA ($5,100): Beltre's effectiveness against lefties hasn't diminished with age, as the 38-year-old-slugger owns a .397 wOBA in that split this season. That number jumps to a whopping .512 in 27 such plate appearances at home, with Globe Life Park in Arlington's 1.12 park factor playing in his favor. His recent success should continue against southpaw Ariel Miranda, who has struggled to a 5.77 ERA in 10 road starts.
SHORTSTOP
Tim Anderson, CWS vs. TOR ($2,400): Anderson's dirt cheap price makes him a good play in this matchup for owners looking to spend big elsewhere. J.A. Happ has a pedestrian .328 wOBA allowed to right-handed hitters while Anderson's wOBA against lefties is .067 higher than his .243 mark facing righties.
OUTFIELD
Gerardo Parra, COL vs. NYM ($5,300): Mets starter Chris Flexen will be unprepared to deal with the potent Rockies lineup in Coors Field's hitter-friendly conditions after allowing four runs over three innings to the 30th-ranked Padres offense in his first career start last week. Parra is often overlooked in favor of some higher-profile teammates, but has been equally effective during a hot streak that has lasted for over two months now. The left-handed batter's platoon advantage against this righty has Parra set up for his 15th multi-hit effort in 25 games played since May 28.
Kevin Pillar, TOR at CWS ($3,400): Pillar is a strong low-cost option against southpaws, as he has managed a .386 wOBA in that split. White Sox lefty Derek Holland has allowed a .400 wOBA to right-handed hitters, so there's little to suggest Pillar won't do well against him as he has against more difficult opponents all season.
Josh Reddick, HOU vs. TB ($4,700): Rays righty Austin Pruitt has been a welcome sight to hitters. His three homers allowed last time out raised his HR/9 to 1.23 and ERA to 6.63. Those numbers are music to Reddick's ears, plus the left-handed slugger has a .401 wOBA against right-handers at home and .364 mark overall.
