This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Monday's slate offers some nice playability in the mid-to-lower ranges for pitchers, which could persuade players to veer away from the high-priced talent in order to focus on stackable matchups on the offensive side.
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Pitcher
Zack Wheeler, NYM vs. SF ($9,300): Wheeler has been on fire of late, putting up at least 27.9 DraftKings points in three of his last four starts. He will get an opportunity to continue running hot against the Giants, who have logged just a .302 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season. It is also worth noting that the San Francisco offense has registered the sixth lowest RAA against the fastball in 2018, while Wheeler's heater has yielded 13.1 RAA.
Cheap GPP Consideration, Stephen Gonsalves, MIN vs. CWS ($5,400): Gonsalves has been making plenty of noise in Minnesota's minor league system, notching a 1.77 ERA in 20 innings at Double-A Chattanooga before moving to Triple-A Rochester and logging a 2.96 ERA in 100.1 frames. It hasn't been all wine and roses for the prospect, as he hasn't tallied a walk rate under 13 percent at either level but the White Sox are a bottom-10 team against left-handed pitching according to wOBA, making Gonsalves an intriguing play in this price range.
GPP Fade, Rick Porcello, BOS vs. CLE ($10,100): Porcello has put up more than 36 DraftKings points in two of his last three starts but I can't accept him as a five-figure option largely due to the fact that he sports a below average fastball (-1.9 RAA). While his peripherals give the impression of a solid pitcher, his swinging strike rate has fallen back below nine percent in 2018, which doesn't inspire confidence that the strikeouts will be coming consistently. He will face an Indians offense that holds the fourth highest wOBA against right-handed pitching this season.
Catcher
Mitch Garver, MIN vs. CWS ($3,700): Garver has shown solid power in the catcher's spot this year, logging a .181 ISO to go along with a 44.4 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching in 166 at-bats. Meanwhile, Lucas Giolito has allowed 11 homers to righty batters in 67 innings while striking out just 54 hitters over that span.
First Base
Jesus Aguilar, MIL vs. CIN ($5,500): One of the perks of selecting a pitcher like Gonsalves is we can afford hitters like Aguilar against Homer Bailey, who has allowed a .530 slugging percentage against right-handed hitters this season. Aguilar has been consistently fantastic against both right-handers and left-handers in 2018, resulting in a .277/.365/.574 slash line in 113 games. Second Base
Jedd Gyorko, STL at LAD ($4,000): Gyorko's dominance against left-handed pitching has been something to behold. The 29-year-old will enter Monday's contest having tallied a .247 ISO and a .407 wOBA against southpaws in 77 at-bats. Alex Wood isn't necessarily the first pitcher who comes to mind when we think about players to exploit but he has surrendered a 42 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters and owns a 4.30 xFIP in his two August starts.
Third Base
Alex Bregman, HOU at SEA ($4,700): A forearm injury to James Paxton has allowed Felix Hernandez to return to the rotation but he likely won't be in the starting five for long, as he has allowed a 5.62 ERA and 21 homers in his 24 games (23 starts) this year. Bregman has been a bit better against lefties this season but has more than held his own against right-handed pitching, as evidenced by the .231 ISO and .382 wOBA he has tallied in 321 at-bats against same-handed hurlers.
Shortstop
Aledmys Diaz, TOR vs. BAL ($3,800): It has been two years since Diaz's breakout rookie campaign but it appears he may be getting back to the player who finished that season with 17 homers in 111 games, as he has logged a .193 ISO in 316 at-bats. Opposing starter Andrew Cashner has seen decent results against righty hitters but the 5.10 xFIP he is carrying suggests that regression may be around the corner.
Outfield
Mallex Smith, TB vs. KC ($4,600): Smith is known for his speed but the 25-year-old's bat has come alive over the last two months, as he hasn't posted an OPS under 1.000 in his last 115 at-bats. Jorge Lopez is another pitcher who looks to be in line for a stat correction based on the 5.97 xFIP he has logged against left-handed hitters in 13.1 innings.
Jose Bautista, NYM vs. SF ($3,900): It seems as though most have left Bautista for dead but those looking for a reasonably priced outfielder may want to take a second look, as the veteran has logged a .208 ISO and a 38 percent hard contact rate against left-handed pitching in 72 at-bats. This could pay dividends against a pitcher like Holland, who has allowed a .456 slugging percentage to right-handed hitters away from the pitcher-friendly confines of AT&T Park.
Nick Markakis, ATL at PIT ($4,500): We have seen more than a few pitchers get their careers back on track after moving to Pittsburgh but Ray Searage and company will have their hands full with Chris Archer, whose fastball has registered a -8.4 RAA this season. Markakis should be able to take advantage of the former Rays' standout, as he has logged a 14.5 RAA against the heater.
