This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
DraftKings has rolled out a main slate that features only four games Thursday, beginning at 7:05 p.m. EDT. It's important for prospective owners to try to fit top players into their lineups when dealing with short slates, as they can provide reliable scoring in the face of limited options. In order to do this, we need to find value plays that allow us to fit big salaries onto our rosters.
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Pitcher
Jose Berrios, MIN vs. CWS ($11,000) - How good has Berrios been to open the 2018 season? He holds a 3.29 ERA with a 13:1 K/BB ratio over 13.2 innings despite allowing five runs over 4.2 frames against the Mariners on April 7. The White Sox have gotten off to a fast start this year, but their offense remains largely unchanged from 2017 when they posted the fourth lowest wOBA in the league against right-handed pitching.
GPP Fade: Lucas Giolito, CWS at MIN ($6,300) - There are those who hold out hope that the 23-year-old will realize his potential in 2018, but he has gotten off on the wrong foot, walking more batters than he has struck out en route to a 6.17 ERA over 11.2 innings in his first two starts. Giolito hasn't been able to replicate the strong strikeout rates he showed in the Minors to help offset some of his shortcomings, which makes him a hard sell against the Twins, who have tallied a .326 wOBA and a .208 ISO against right-handed pitching to begin the season.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Ian Kennedy, KC vs. LAA ($7,200) - At various points in his career, Ian Kennedy has shown us that he can be close to a top pitcher when he can keep the ball in the yard. That has been the case so far in 2018, as he has allowed just one run with 13 strikeouts over 12 innings in his first two starts. He has not allowed a home run over that span. The matchup is not an easy one for the right-hander, but he needs to be in consideration on the short slate, as he has an opportunity to smash through value at that price.
Catcher
Jason Castro, MIN vs. CWS ($2,900) - Castro likely isn't the first name that comes to mind when one thinks of a DFS asset, but he can be serviceable as a value play based on the .146 ISO and 35 percent hard contact rate he posted against righties in 2017. The veteran backstop notched a 12.5 percent walk rate against his opposite hand over 303 plate appearances last year, which could give him an edge in the matchup with Giolito if his early control problems persist.
First Base
Ryan Zimmerman, WAS vs. COL ($3,600) - Chad Bettis has posted a 2.53 ERA through two starts this season but that number hides some glaring issues, such as the 7:6 K/BB ratio he has tallied over 10.2 innings. Zimmerman has struggled to open 2018 but notched a .252 ISO against same-handed pitchers last year, while Bettis allowed four homers to righties over 23.1 innings.
Second Base
DJ LeMahieu, COL at WAS ($3,900) - Lemahieu kept a .406 wOBA against left-handed pitching last season while posting a 5.3 RAA against the curveball, which registered as a top-15 mark in the league among qualified hitters. Gio Gonzalez relied heavily on his curve in 2017 and seems to be on a similar track in the new campaign, having thrown the bender nearly 26 percent of the time through two starts.
Third Base
Mike Moustakas, KC vs. LAA ($4,100) - Opposing starter Nick Tropeano hasn't pitched in the Major Leagues since 2016 after undergoing Tommy John surgery but will make an early start this season due to injuries to the Angels' starting rotation. While he has shown the ability to post big strikeout rates, Tropeano dealt with control issues in 2016 and logged a 1.8 HR/9 rate over 68.1 innings. Moustakas seems to be picking up where he left off after swatting a career-best 38 homers last season and should be able to deal with Tropeano's ability to miss bats, as he hasn't posted a strikeout rate over 16 percent since 2013.
Shortstop
Didi Gregorius, NYY at BOS ($4,600) - Gregorius has continued the strong showing he had against right-handers in 2017 by going 10-for-25 with three homers against the platoon in the new year. Porcello struggled against left-handed hitters last season, allowing a .520 slugging percentage and 41 percent hard contact rate through 96 innings.
Outfield
Max Kepler, MIN vs. CWS ($3,000) - Kepler could be a sneaky bargain that owners can use to differentiate themselves from the field, as he notched a .212 ISO against right-handers in 2017, and has exploded for three homers, a double and five walks in 33 plate appearances vs. his opposite hand in 2018. Giolito has yet to allow a home run this year but finished last season having surrendered five long balls in 22.2 innings against lefties.
Bryce Harper, WAS vs. COL ($5,800) - Harper was relentless against right-handed pitching last season, as evidenced by the .332 ISO and .442 wOBA he posted over 301 at-bats. Meanwhile, Bettis allowed a .500 slugging percentage and a 1.6 HR/9 rate to left-handed hitters in 2017.
Brett Gardner, NYY at BOS ($3,500) - Gardner showed good power against right-handers last season, securing a .191 ISO over 446 at-bats. The 34-year-old could tally points quickly if he is able to get on base, as Porcello allowed 15 stolen bases in 2017 while Gardner swiped 23 bags in 151 games.
