This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHER
Corey Kluber, CLE at TB ($26,100): Kluber is miles ahead of everyone on this slate in both salary and production. His matchup against the Rays looked a lot worse about a month ago when the Rays were hitting, but they've hit a collective slump over the past few weeks. Kluber had 11 strikeouts in this most recent outing, extending an incredible run of double-digit strikeouts in 10 of his past 11 starts. He has also failed to post a quality start just one time since returning from the DL in early June.
Kenta Maeda, LAD vs. SD ($16,000): There aren't a lot of exciting options on this slate, so you might as go with a safe pick. Maeda doesn't have a very high ceiling, but his floor is pretty high and facing the Padres should allow for a decent outing. Maeda is generally a five-and-five guy, which means he'll give you five innings and five strikeouts, give or take a couple, but factor in that he's likely to get a win and suddenly he becomes more intriguing. The Padres continue to struggle at the plate this season, with the fifth-lowest wOBA against righties and third-highest K%.
INFIELD
Daniel Murphy, WAS vs. SF ($9,300): Murphy is the perfect guy to pick up the slack in the absence of Bryce Harper, as he's second on the team in wOBA against righties this season at .396, which is top-20 in the majors.
Ryan Zimmerman, WAS vs. SF ($9,200): The absence of Harper isn't the only reason to target the Nationals today, they also have a nice matchup against Chris Stratton, who has a 6.63 ERA through five games this season. The second Nationals pick came down to Zimmerman (.380 wOBA against righties this year) or Anthony Rendon, both of whom have hit righties well this season, but Zimmerman has been swinging the bat better lately.
Eric Thames, MIL vs. CIN ($8,100): With yet another poor right-handed pitcher in front of the Brewers, I had a spot reserved for Travis Shaw, but he left Saturday's night's game late and is doubtful to play, so we'll move to Thames. Thames has battled through several mini-slumps all season, but it looks like he's on his way out of his latest slump and he still has a .391 wOBA against righties. He has homered off righties in his past two games and gets another vulnerable righty is Sal Romano, who enters with a 5.35 ERA.
OUTFIELD
Michael Conforto, NYM at PHI ($9,300): Some pitchers give up runs like clockwork, a steady three or four each game, but that's not Zach Eflin's gamey. Eflin was sharp in his most recent outing, allowing just two runs over seven innings, but this outing came of the heels of a stretch of three games when he gave up no fewer than seven runs in each. Needless to say, he's a ticking time bomb, but his upside prevents me from stacking against him. I'll certainly pick my spots, and Conforto is a solid play thanks to his .426 wOBA against righties this season, a top-10 mark in the majors.
Daniel Nava, PHI vs. NYM ($8,100): This should be a high-scoring game, as the Mets aren't the only team with a promising matchup. The Phillies face Chris Flexen, who enters with a whopping 8.48 ERA this season. There are a few bats in the Pihllies' lineup that look appealing, but with a righty on the mound, Nava is the most promising with his .396 wOBA against right-handed pitching.
Whit Merrifield, KC at CHW ($8,400): The Royals are in play for a mini stack, and with lefty Derek Holland on the mound, Merrifield is at the top. Merrifield has been a nice surprise at the top of the Royals' lineup this season, and he comes in with a .392 wOBA against lefties, which trails only Brandon Moss among Royals hitters.
UTILITY
Dexter Fowler, STL vs. ATL ($8,700): Fowler has been on fire since returning from the DL earlier this month and not even a matchup against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey should slow him down. Fowler has posted double-digit fantasy points in five of six games since his return, with a majority coming against right-handed pitching Additionally, he has four hits in 10 career at-bats against Dickey.
Brian Dozier, MN at DET ($10,000): The Twins have been hitting the heck out of the ball lately, but it's been the lefties who have had most of the fun. That changes Sunday as they face lefty Matt Boyd, who has been one of those steady pitchers who gives up multiple runs every game, yet somehow manages to avoid the blowups. Dozier is likely to have success against Boyd, as he has a team-high .412 wOBA against lefties this season. It also doesn't hurt that he's been on fire lately.
