This article is part of our Draftster MLB series.
Jesse Chavez made his first appearance out of the bullpen since being ousted from the starting rotation by the acquisition of Jon Lester at the trade deadline Saturday. The right-hander's return to life as a reliever means that Jason Hammel, who has allowed a whopping 18 earned runs in his first four starts since being traded to the A's, will continue to take the ball every fifth day. This development could make Hammel a nice play going forward.
Despite taking it on the chin lately, the 31-year-old's peripherals tell us there isn't much to worry about, as he has struck out 116 batters while walking just 33 in 125.2 innings. When we consider that he now resides in one of the more pitcher-friendly parks in baseball, an investment in Hammel's future seems even more appealing, particularly at a reduced price.
The Picks
Pitcher
Stephen Strasburg ($7,000)
Strasburg's 3.55 ERA may not turn heads, but he's the same strikeout pitcher in 2014 that he's always been, having fanned 167 batters in 144.1 innings. He will take on a Phillies team Sunday that ranks among the worst in the league against right-handed pitching according to wRC+ this season.
Offense
The Arizona heat makes stacking players at Chase Field a perennially attractive option in the summer. This becomes even more enticing when we can target a mediocre pitcher in a contest. Trevor Cahill has been beaten up by lefties, having walked more southpaws than he's struck out in 2014. He carries a 5.56 xFIP against his opposite hand to the hill against the Pirates on Sunday.
Gregory Polanco (OF) ($6,500)
Pedro Alvarez (3B) ($3,000)
Neil Walker (2B) ($5,500)
It's worth noting that Walker sat out Saturday due to back stiffness, so make sure to check his status before making the selection.
Jorge De La Rosa has similar platoon issues, and while he won't pitch in a hitter's haven Sunday, he will have to face the Tigers, who have one of the best offenses in the league against left-handed pitching this season.
Victor Martinez (OF) ($3,900)
Miguel Cabrera (1B) ($4,700)
Rajai Davis (OF) ($3,700)
Scott Feldman has slid a long way since posting a 1.69 ERA in four starts in the month of April. His subsequent struggles have resulted in a bloated 5.09 xFIP against left-handed hitters in 2014, which may present a problem when he faces a Toronto lineup that contains some lefty thump Sunday.
Jose Reyes (SS) ($4,700)
The Week at a Glance
The White Sox may not have many quality left-handed bats, but try and gather as many as you can when Nick Martinez takes the hill at U.S. Cellular Field on Monday, as the 23 year-old has tallied a .402 wOBA in 41.1 innings against lefties this season.
You can give Wade Miley a look against the Royals on Tuesday. Miley has impressive peripherals buried underneath that 4.14 ERA, and the Royals are one of the worst teams in the league against left-handed pitching.
It looks like David Buchanan will take the injured Cliff Lee's rotation spot for the time being. With a career minor league ERA hovering near 4.00, and an xFIP of 5.00 against left-handed hitters in 22.2 innings this season, Buchanan seems like a decent target against the Astros at home Wednesday.
C.J. Wilson was pounded in his return from the disabled Saturday against the Rays, giving up six runs in 1.1 innings. He will take on some big right-handed bats Thursday when he faces the Dodgers, which could make him worth stacking against as he tries to get his bearings.
After struggling out of the gate, Chris Archer has excelled down the stretch, and may be on his way to a better season than the one he had during his breakout campaign in 2013. He will face the Cubs on Friday, who have struggled against right-handed pitching this year.
Garrett Richards hasn't had the same magic in his last two starts that accompanied him throughout June and July, but he should have no problem getting past the Red Sox at home Saturday.
