This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHER
Jon Lester, CHC vs. COL ($18,800):Lance McCullers ($21,600) provides more consistency, but I'm willing to save some money on Lester in a favorable spot. While the Rockies have great overall numbers, it's important to note what they do on the road. Against lefties, Colorado has a high K% (25.9) to go with a mediocre .312 wOBA. As for Lester, he's fallen off a bit in the last couple outings, but due to Colorado's high K%, I'd bet he gets a higher strikeout total Thursday.
Jake Odorizzi, TB vs. CWS ($15,300): Odorizzi is another pitcher that has struggled in recent starts, yet I'm willing to back him in a favorable spot. The White Sox remain one of the worst teams against righties with a 23.6 K% and .295 wOBA this season. Prior to his last two starts, Odorizzi had reached at least 14 fantasy points in five straight outings.
INFIELD
Kennys Vargas, MIN at SEA ($6,600): Vargas was just in Triple-A and hasn't been great, but he could be given a start with a righty on the mound where most of his success has come (.401 wOBA and .303 ISO in 66 at-bats). Christian Bergman is an interesting case due to performances on both ends of the spectrum. While Bergman gave up two runs in his last two starts, he was blown up for 10 runs in the outing before that. And if Vargas doesn't get the call, Joe Mauer ($7,600) can be used (.365 wOBA vs. righties).
Tommy Joseph, PHI at ATL ($6,400): As a knuckleballer, R.A. Dickey isn't better against either side of the plate, which makes Joseph a solid righty-righty play. Joseph has a .337 wOBA against righties this season and that number jumps to .383 since the start of May. For Dickey, he has allowed a .389 wOBA and 5.16 xFIP against righties.
Ian Happ, CHC vs. COL ($7,600): Happ was recently benched but has come back big with homers in his last two starts and hits in his last four. He'll likely start against Tyler Chatwood due to his .375 wOBA and .296 ISO against righties. Chatwood has been slightly worse against lefties, allowing a .340 wOBA and hasn't had back-to-back quality starts since April. He went eight innings and struck out eight against the Padres last time out, however.
OUTFIELD
Max Kepler, MIN at SEA ($8,400): Backing another Twin, I'm hoping Bergman has one of his bad outings in which he has two strikeouts or less (four of his six appearances). Kepler has been locked in with a hit in 17 of his last 19 games. Most of those hits have come against righties, contributing to his .380 wOBA and .220 ISO this season.
Ender Inciarte, ATL vs. PHI ($9,900): Inciarte doesn't have amazing numbers against righties this season (.324 wOBA), but he has hit safely in 15 of his last 17 and gets a nice matchup against an unpredictable rookie. Ben Lively only gave up one run in seven innings of work in his debut, yet didn't record a strikeout. That could come in handy for Inciarte, who has struck out more against righties this year (15.5 K%).
Ben Gamel, SEA vs. MIN ($6,800): This may be my favorite play of the day with Gamel coming in surprisingly cheap. Against righties, he has a .391 wOBA, which goes well with Kyle Gibson's .413 wOBA allowed and 5.72 xFIP against lefties. And before Wednesday, Gamel had hit safely in nine straight games.
UTILITY
Josh Reddick, HOU at KC ($7,600): This is another great situation for a cheap player. Reddick has a .336 wOBA against righties, and maybe more importantly, a minimal 11.5 K%. Jason Hammel hasn't shown much, giving up at least three runs in his last five starts. He's been bad against both sides of the plate and has a 5.32 xFIP against lefties.
Daniel Murphy, WAS vs. BAL ($9,600): I'll save the easiest team to back for last with the Nationals facing Alec Asher. The righty went 6.1 innings last start, but only made it two innings before that while giving up six runs to the Astros. Murphy has a .398 wOBA, .221 ISO and 8.0 K% against righties.
