This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
DraftKings features a 10-game slate Monday, beginning at 7:05 ET. The slate includes three pitchers that are north of $10,000, but players should be able to find enough cheap bats to spend up for pitching if desired.
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Pitcher
Jake Arrieta, PHI at MIA ($10,900): It wasn't too long ago that I was recommending Arrieta as a GPP fade but he has the ability to excel in Miami, as he has thrown his sinker 67 percent of the time this season, while the Marlins' offense leads the league in groundball percentage. The swinging strike rate still isn't where it needs to be (7.1 percent) but the right-hander will have a comfortable matchup in a big ballpark, which could result in his second big performance of the year.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Eduardo Rodriguez, BOS vs. KC ($7,600): Rodriguez has begun the year sporting a 24.5 percent strikeout rate on the strength of a career-best 14.2 percent swinging strike rate, which should give him a leg up against the Royals, a team that has struck out 25.4 percent of the time against lefties in the first calendar month of the year. The 25-year-old has notched a 1.2 HR/9 rate over his first four starts but he shouldn't have too much to fear from Kansas City when it comes to power, as they have logged just a .144 ISO against southpaws.
GPP Fade: Zack Greinke ARI vs. LAD ($10,200): Greinke's K/BB ratio is enough to make mouths water but his average fastball velocity (88.8 MPH) hasn't picked up the way some may have hoped, which could be contributing to the 1.8 HR/9 rate and 37 percent hard contact rate he has tallied in his five starts. The Dodgers aren't the team you want to face without your best stuff, as they have secured a top- 10 wOBA against right-handed pitchers (.328).
Catcher
Francisco Cervelli, PIT at WAS ($3,300): Cervelli has quietly been an offensive force at the catcher's spot, as evidenced by the .307/.393/.573 slash line he has posted over 75 at-bats. Tanner Roark's numbers against righties have benefitted greatly from a .121 BABIP but he still holds a 4.43 xFIP and a 32.4 percent hard contact rate against same-handed hitters over 14.2 innings.
First Base
Joey Votto, CIN vs. MIL ($4,600): Votto has been on a tear since starting slowly in 2018 and now holds a .397 wOBA against right-handed pitching in 71 at-bats. He should have ample opportunity to do damage against opposing starter Jhoulys Chacin, who has walked more lefty hitters than he has struck out in 10.1 innings (six starts) this season while surrendering a .542 slugging percentage over that span.
Second Base
Joey Wendle, TB at DET ($3,500): Wendle hasn't looked back after securing a starting role out of spring training, having notched a .179 ISO and a .380 wOBA against right-handed pitching over 56 at-bats. Meanwhile, Jordan Zimmermann's struggles as a Tiger have followed him into 2018. The 31-year-old has allowed 17 earned runs (on five homers) in just 19.1 innings this year.
Third Base
Eduardo Escobar, MIN vs. TOR ($3,800): Escobar has hit righties hard this season, posting a .254 ISO and a .405 wOBA in 59 at-bats. Opposing starter Aaron Sanchez has struggled with his control against lefties for as long as he's been in the Major Leagues but it's a bit concerning that they have begun 2018 by slugging .472 against Sanchez over 12.1 innings.
Shortstop
Eduardo Nunez, BOS. vs. KC ($3,500):Jason Hammel has produced decent results so far this season but one wonders how long his 3.38 ERA will stay intact, as he has struck out just seven right-handed batters over 18.1 innings while allowing a hard contact rate of 33 percent. Nunez has kept his reverse platoon split in 2018, logging a .188 ISO to go along with a .345 wOBA in 69 at-bats.
Outfield
Lorenzo Cain, MIL at CIN ($4,600):Brandon Finnegan has always been an interesting prospect due to his raw stuff but walks have continually been a problem in his Major League career, as evidenced by the 11.8 percent walk rate he has kept over 252.1 innings. Cain has traditionally put up better numbers against lefties, and 2018 is certainly no exception, as he has notched four walks against just two strikeouts with a home run and five doubles in 25 at-bats.
Josh Reddick, HOU vs. NYY ($3,900):Sonny Gray has struggled mightily with his control this year. The problem is most noticeable against lefties, against whom Gray has tallied a 10:11 K/BB ratio over 10.1 innings. This should allow Reddick to get comfortable in the matchup, as he has posted a .389 OBP against righties this season while striking out just 18 percent of the time in 58 at-bats.
Odubel Herrera, PHI at MIA: ($3,900) Herrera's .424 wOBA over 69 at-bats this season should make him a lock at less than $4,000 but it must be noted that he has notched just a .305 wOBA in nine games on the road. While this is a valid concern for prospective owners, it is worth remembering that his career wRC+ on the road remains above average (102) and his career ISO splits are virtually identical (.145 at home, .142 on the road).
