This article is part of our Draftster MLB series.
Scott Feldman's overall numbers won't fill many with excitement, as besides an opening month which saw him post a 1.69 ERA in four starts, there haven't been many reasons to consider Feldman a daily (or any kind) of fantasy asset. The veteran has righted the ship recently after a few tough months, however, as he posted a 3.32 ERA in August, and has been even better in his last four starts, when he's allowed seven earned runs in 31 innings, including a shutout against the Rangers on Aug. 30. What do we see from the 31-year-old when he is pitching well? Feldman posted a 55.1-percent groundball rate in August, his highest mark of the season. He also kept his walks down, issuing just nine free passes in 43.1 frames. Even at his best, Feldman carries a below-average strikeout rate, which may work to temper enthusiasm about his ceiling going forward, but he will have a $7,700 price tag heading into his next start against the Angels on Saturday for those who want to give him a look.
Picks
Pitcher
Zack Wheeler ($8,600)
I realize Great American Ball Park may not be the place that comes to mind when you think about selecting a pitcher on Draftster, but I simply can't resist attempting to exploit the Reds on Sunday, who are the third-worst team in the league against right-handed pitching this season according to wRC+. I'm particularly interested in their 6.9-percent walk rate, as Wheeler's penchant for putting men on base (3.83/9) is just about the only flaw in his game.
Offense
Scott Carroll has had a tough time dealing with lefties this season, having allowed a .492 slugging percentage against them in 66.1 innings. He will matchup with the Indians at Progressive Field on Sunday, which has allowed more than its share of homers to southpaws this season.
Michael Brantley (OF) ($9,000)
Jason Kipnis (2B) ($3,500)
Carlos Santana (3B)($7,300)
Travis Wood has walked 60 right-handed batters in 115 innings this this season, which has contributed to a .361 wOBA against his opposite hand. He'll face the Pirates on Sunday, who have a few righties for us to choose from.
Andrew McCutchen (OF) ($3,600)
Jordy Mercer (SS) ($4,800)
Trevor Cahill sports a 5.17 xFIP against left-handed hitters in 2014, which makes him a nice target for at least one southpaw in his matchup against the Dodgers on Sunday.
Adrian Gonzalez (1B) ($6,100)
Brad Hand will make a spot start in place of Henderson Alvarez against the Braves on Sunday after the right-hander suffered an oblique strain in his last start. While pitching at Marlins Park is an advantage for any hurler, it may not be enough to save Hand, as Atlanta has a few lefty mashers that could benefit from the fact that he has struck out just 34 righties in 61 innings.
Evan Gattis (C) ($3,000)
Justin Upton (OF) ($3,000)
The Week at a Glance
Hector Noesi has allowed at least one home run in nine of his last 10 starts, while striking out just 57 lefties in 86.2 innings this season. He will face the A's at U.S. Cellular Field on Monday.
Jordan Zimmermann has notched his highest strikeout rate since 2009 (8.16/9) this season without sacrificing his walk rate, making him an intriguing selection against the Braves at home Tuesday. Atlanta whiffs 22.2 percent of the time against righties, which is good for fifth-most in the league.
Kyle Gibson has pitched reasonably well this season, but the advanced metrics suggest that some regression may be coming, as he owns a 4.58 xFIP against left-handed hitters. He will face the Indians at progressive Field on Wednesday.
Jake Peavy has come on strong since his trade to the Giants in July, tallying a 2.36 ERA with just 12 walks in 53.1 innings. He will face the Diamondbacks at home Thursday, whose 84 wRC+ against right-handers is tied for the fourth-worst mark in the league.
Jorge De La Rosa won't be pitching in Coors Field on Friday but may not get much of a reprieve, as the Cardinals have quite a few batters that will look to capitalize on his 4.32 xFIP against righties this season.
Sonny Gray has probably disappointed those who thought his 2014 season would be an extension of his debut last year, but he has still been a solid pitcher with an above-average groundball rate (54.6 percent). He will face the Mariners at Safeco Field on Saturday, and while Seattle checks in at a slightly below-average team by wRC+, it's hard to pass on Gray, who enters the week costing $4,100.
