This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHERS:
Ervin Santana, MIN vs. MIL ($18,300):- Santana racked up 37.75 fantasy points in a complete-game gem versus the Padres his last time out, his fourth start over 30 fantasy points this season. Meanwhile, the Brewers have struck out at a majors-high 28.7 percent clip since the All-Star break against right-handed pitching on the road while also compiling a mediocre .302 wOBA and 81 wRC+.
JC Ramirez, LAA vs. BAL ($15,000):- The Orioles have a .292 wOBA and 80 wRC+ against right-handed pitching on the road since the All-Star break, while Ramirez has three straight quality starts, including an eight-inning gem against the Phillies in his most recent outing. The right-hander has also eclipsed 20 fantasy points in eight starts this season, giving him plenty of upside for GPPs.
INFIELD
Joey Votto, CIN vs. SD ($10,200):- Votto owns a .441 wOBA, .282 ISO and 37.4 percent hard contact rate versus right-handed pitching at home, while Padres starter Jhoulys Chacin has allowed a .443 wOBA, 2.78 HR/9 and 39.5 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters on the road. Meanwhile, Padres relievers have a 7.80 ERA and have allowed a. 380 wOBA to left-handed hitters on the road since the All-Star break.
Anthony Rendon, WAS vs. MIA ($8,700):- Rendon boasts a .514 wOBA, .379 ISO, 220 wRC+ and 40.7 percent hard contact rate versus southpaws at Nationals Park, while Marlins starter Chris O'Grady has yielded a .425 wOBA, 5.69 xFIP and 42.0 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters. Marlins relievers have been vulnerable as well, allowing a .398 wOBA to right-handed hitters on the road in the last month.
Eric Hosmer, KC vs. STL ($6,900):- Hosmer is underpriced and makes for a viable GPP play despite the matchup against Carlos Martinez, who's surrendered a .439 wOBA, 5.07 xFIP, 27.8 percent HR/FB rate and 43.6 percent hard contact rate to lefty hitters on the road. Meanwhile, Hosmer counters with a .428 wOBA, .272 ISO, 31.0 percent HR/FB rate and 31.6 percent hard contact rate against righties at Kauffman Stadium.
OUTFIELD
Tommy Pham, STL at KC ($9,300):- Pham has a .463 wOBA, .285 ISO, 34.6 percent HR/FB rate and 42.4 percent hard contact rate versus righties on the road and boasts a .413 wOBA over his 95 second-half plate appearances. Royals starter Ian Kennedy has been most vulnerable when facing right-handed hitters at home, allowing a .329 wOBA, 2.19 HR/9 and 43.7 percent hard contact rate.
Josh Bell, PIT vs. DET ($7,800):- Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann has yielded a .434 wOBA (including eight homers) and a 38.1 percent hard contact rate to left-handed hitters on the road, and has a 5.95 ERA over 65 innings outside of Comerica Park. The switch-hitting Bell has been better against right-handed pitching, posting a .344 wOBA (including 13 homers), . 219 ISO and 33.9 percent hard contact rate. Meanwhile, Tigers relievers have a 6.23 ERA versus lefty bats on the road since the All-Star break, and have allowed a .363 wOBA, including five homers, to right-handed hitters on the road during that stretch.
Denard Span, SF vs. CHC ($5,600):- Despite the matchup against Jake Arrieta, Span makes for an appealing GPP value play Monday, considering he owns a .346 wOBA against right-handed pitching. Arrieta has allowed a .343 wOBA and 25.8 percent HR/FB rate to lefty bats on the road, and 13 of his 17 homers he's surrendered this season have come outside of Wrigley.
UTILITY
Anthony Rizzo, CHC at SF ($10,400):- Rizzo has had no trouble with same-handed matchups, posting a .415 wOBA, .318 ISO, 28.6 percent HR/FB rate and 34.1 percent hard contact rate against southpaws. Those numbers dovetail favorably with those of Giants lefty Matt Moore, who's allowed a .454 wOBA, 5.74 xFIP and 38.2 percent hard contact rate to same-handed bats.
David Freese, PIT vs. DET ($7,800):- Freese owns a .500 average, including a homer and two RBI, over nine plate appearances against Jordan Zimmermann, who's allowed a .352 wOBA, 5.36 xFIP and 36.0 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters. Freese has posted a .343 wOBA against right-handed pitching at PNC Park, while the struggles of Tigers relievers versus righty bats were detailed earlier.
