This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Pitcher
Jameson Taillon, PIT at TOR ($34): Let's get this out of the way first. The Padres rank last in the league with a .286 wOBA and 76 wRC+ while striking out 25.3 percent of the time against lefties. As such, Rich Hill is going to be in most lineups, so much so we're looking at two arms to pair with him, rather than suggesting contrarian options.
Taillon has been very feast or famine over his last seven starts; four times allowing two or fewer runs while striking out 29 over 23.0 innings and allowing 21 runs and striking out only nine in 11.2 innings. There's clearly plenty of risk here, but hopefully that's mitigated some by a Blue Jays lineup that never got on track this year, ranking 22nd against righties with a .313 wOBA and 92 wRC+.
Edwin Jackson, WAS vs. SF ($35): The Giants remain a wreck offensively, owning a league-worst .293 wOBA and 81 wRC+against righties. That seems to give Jackson a safe floor, even if the Giants only strike out 19.2 percent of the time. Jackson has been better at home (3.68 ERA vs. 5.02 away) and as a starter (3.75 ERA vs. 7.20 in relief), and has clear win potential when matched up with the Giants' Chris Stratton.
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Catcher
Alex Avila, CHC at ARI ($7): With Wilson Contreras set to miss time, Avila will step into a nearly everyday role, and his price simply hasn't been adjusted to match. He was enjoying a fine season with the Tigers prior to being traded and owns a sporty .386 wOBA and 143 wRC+ against righties.
First Base
Jose Abreu, CWS vs. KAN ($17): Abreu's power has disappeared of late, having not gone deep since July 29, so maybe there isn't the upside you'd like out of this premium position. But he carries a robust .440 wOBA, 180 wRC+, 1.041 OPS and .243 ISO against lefties into a matchup with Danny Duffy. Abreu is 13-of-37 (.351) in his career against Duffy, who is allowing a somewhat exploitable .345 wOBA to righties on the road.
Second Base
Robinson Cano, SEA vs. LAA ($14): Cano entered Thursday having hit safely in eight of his last 10 outings, and ranks second on the team with a .361 wOBA, 130 wRC+ and .222 ISO against righties. Angels' starter Ricky Nolasco has a 5.09 ERA, and allows fly balls at a 40.1 percent rate on the road, with 22.1 percent of those flies leaving the yard. Cano is also 7-of-21 with three homers in his career against Nolasco.
Third Base
Miguel Sano, MIN at DET ($18): Sano's price remains reduced comparatively after he missed time due to a hand injury, so that alone seems worth exploiting. His .350 wOBA and 118 wRC+ are decent, but they are bolstered by the fact that Tigers' starter Anibal Sanchez has been torched by same-handed hitters, giving up a .421 wOBA and 1.013 OPS.
Shortstop
Xander Bogaerts, BOS at NYY ($10): Bogaerts' surprising lack of power has taken a major toll on his appeal, but at this price, he becomes a bit more attractive at a position that continues to offer limited high-upside options. He's been at his best on the road against opposite-handed pitchers, posting a .352 wOBA and 115 wRC+, and was in good form prior to seeing an eight-game hitting streak snapped Wednesday.
Outfield
Mike Trout, LAA at SEA ($28): It's going to be tough to pay for Trout and still pay up for pitching, but the Angels offense just doesn't have any other sure-fire options despite the juicy matchup against Marco Gonzales, who has allowed 10 runs in 7.1 innings. If you need more than the name recognition and price to flirt with, Trout Friday, he carries a .443 wOBA and 188 wRC+ against lefties into the contest.
Nelson Cruz, SEA vs. LAA ($19): The 9.5 total in this game seems low, but I'm not a gambler. I just know the two starters have a 5.09 and 11.25 ERA, and since trusting the Angels' secondary bats isn't ideal, a Mariners' stack seems to play well. Cruz leads the team with an impressive .371 wOBA and .257 ISO against righties, and is 8-for-22 (.368) with three homers in his career against Ricky Nolasco, who has allowed a 31.0 percent homer to flyball rate on the road.
Brian Goodwin, WAS vs. SF ($15): We touched on the struggles of Giants' starter Chris Stratton earlier. He brings a 6.63 ERA into Friday while allowing a .489 wOBA and 1.159 OPS to lefties. That sounds inviting for Goodwin, as he hits atop the Nats' lineup, and has three multi-hit games in his last four starts.
