This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHER
Carlos Martinez, STL vs. PHI ($24,000): Martinez is the most expensive option on the early slate but he's worth the investment considering he draws a matchup against a Phillies squad that's struck out at a 24.7 percent rate on the road versus righties while posting a .296 wOBA. Martinez has faltered at times this season, but the bulk of his troubles have come on the road, as he boasts a 2.19 ERA while allowing a .231 wOBA in 49.1 home innings. He's also been one of the steadiest options for cash games and GPPs, scoring no fewer than 18.70 fantasy points and as many as 33.80 in his last eight trips to the mound.
Jose Berrios, MIN at SF ($15,200): Berrios has shown some impressive upside this season with two starts over 20 fantasy points and one over 40, and he takes on a Giants squad that's posted a .276 wOBA and 26.0 percent hard contact rate against right-handers in their spacious home park, both the worst marks in the majors. Berrios has been just as effective on the road as at home, as he's posted a 2.70 ERA while allowing a .258 wOBA over 20 innings away from Target Field.
INFIELD
Carlos Correa, HOU vs. LAA ($10,200): Angels starter Ricky Nolasco's last victory came on April 27, and he's allowed a .390 wOBA, 11 homers, 2.6 HR/9 and 41.2 percent hard contact rate over his last seven starts. Meanwhile, Correa boasts a .390 wOBA against right-handed pitching, along with a .235 ISO and 39.8 percent hard contact rate. Nolasco has been touched by righties, especially on the road, where he's surrendered a .413 wOBA, seven homers and 45.5 percent hard contact rate to that handedness. The Angels' bullpen has been vulnerable as well, generating a 4.31 ERA while surrendering 15 homers and a 34.5 percent hard contact rate to righty bats.
Jedd Gyorko, STL vs. PHI ($7,800): Phillies starter Nick Pivetta has been improving, but he has still allowed a .435 wOBA, five homers, 27.9 percent line drive rate and 41.9 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters. Meanwhile, Gyorko has blasted righties for a .383 wOBA, .213 ISO and 36.2 percent hard contact rate. Additionally, the Phillies' bullpen has yielded 19 homers and a .323 wOBA to righty bats.
Yunel Escobar, LAA at HOU ($6,400): Escobar makes for an appealing value play against the long ball-prone Mike Fiers, who's yielded 12 homers, a .452 wOBA (including .487 at home) and 38.5 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters. While Escobar has had more success hitting for average against southpaws, he's demonstrated much more pop versus righties, having hit all five of his homers against them and also posting a 31.8 percent hard contact rate versus that handedness on the road. Escobar has also been hitting well for an extended stretch, posting a .393 wOBA over his last 20 games.
OUTFIELD
Charlie Blackmon, COL at CHC ($10,400): Blackmon has a .436 wOBA, .319 ISO and 39.2 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching this season, including a .469 wOBA this month. Meanwhile, opposing starter Eddie Butler has yielded a .342 wOBA, 6.34 xFIP, 29.6 percent line drive rate and 48.2 percent hard contact rate to left-handed hitters this year.
Andrew McCutchen, PIT vs. MIA ($8,700): Marlins right-hander Dan Straily has allowed a .468 wOBA, including seven of his nine home runs, and a 44.1 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters away from Marlins Park this season, while McCutchen has a .326 wOBA, 25.4 percent line drive rate and 42.4 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching at PNC Park. McCutchen has also been wielding a hot bat recently, posting a .390 wOBA over his last seven games. Additionally, the Marlins' bullpen has posted a 5.07 ERA while allowing a .320 wOBA to righties.
Max Kepler, MIN at SF ($7,600): Giants starter Jeff Samardzija has allowed a .361 wOBA, including .386 at home, 28.3 percent line drive rate and 30.8 percent hard contact rate to left-handed hitters this season, while Kepler has hit all seven of his homers versus right-handed pitchers while also posting a .372 wOBA (including .408 on the road) and 41.9 percent hard contact rate. The Giants' bullpen has also been friendly to lefty bats, yielding a .346 wOBA.
UTILITY
Josh Harrison, PIT vs. MIA ($8,400): Straily's problems, and those of the Marlins' bullpen, with right-handed hitters were detailed earlier, while Harrison checks in with a .372 wOBA at PNC Park and .352 wOBA, 25.4 percent line drive rate and 36.1 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching overall. Harrison also brings the added bonus of having tallied a double and two homers among 15 plate appearances against Straily, and he has a .503 wOBA, 28.6 percent line drive rate and 65.2 percent hard contact rate over his last 33 plate appearances.
Brian McCann, HOU vs. LAA ($7,600): Angels starter Ricky Nolasco has had his share of struggles against left-handed hitters, allowing a .347 wOBA (including .355 on the road) while posting a 5.06 xFIP and 6.69 K/9 that's significantly lower than the 9.87 figure he has against righties. Meanwhile, McCann has actually been better against lefties, but he still has a .324 wOBA and 36.6 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching. Furthermore, he's opened up June with a .478 wOBA, .391 ISO, two homers and a 47.6 percent hard contact rate. Finally, McCann has a .338 batting average, five doubles, eight homers and 26 RBI over 73 plate appearances against Nolasco.
