DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

PITCHER

Noah Syndergaard, NYM vs. ATL ($12,700): Aside from a fingernail issue, Syndergaard has been excellent and allowed just five earned runs through 26 innings with a 0.75 FIP over four starts in 2017. He's posted a 29.3 strikeout percentage dating back to last season and has held the Braves to a .665 OPS through four career starts against them. Additionally, dating back to last season, Atlanta has posted an underwhelming .306 wOBA against right-handed hurlers. Expect Syndergaard to carry a hefty ownership percentage, though.

Julio Urias, LAD at SFG ($8,800): With San Francisco's potentially injury-depleted lineup and struggles against southpaws (.304 wOBA since the beginning of 2016), Urias warrants consideration at this salary. The 20-year-old lefty posted a 25.0 strikeout percentage as a rookie last year and fanned 15 batters over 14 innings through his first three starts in Triple-A this season.

CATCHER

Stephen Vogt, OAK at LAA ($3,500): Dating back to 2015, Vogt sports a .335 wOBA against right-handed hurlers and hits in the heart of the Oakland lineup. Opposing hurler Ricky Nolasco currently sports a 5.89 FIP and is more smoke-and-mirrors than overwhelming, so Vogt presents value in a shallow catcher pool.

FIRST BASE

Matt Carpenter, STL vs. TOR ($4,200): Sporting a 43.1 hard-hit percentage, .250 ISO and .389 wOBA against right-handed pitchers over the past three seasons, Carpenter is a solid option against Mat Latos. The veteran righty has struggled over the past three years with a 4.99 ERA and is currently pitching for his sixth team during that span. Carpenter's salary opens up plenty of spending room, too.

SECOND BASE

Ian Kinsler, DET vs. SEA ($3,900): While Kinsler doesn't boast the traditional handedness advantage, this salary doesn't match his upside, and stacking against Hisashi Iwakuma has contrarian potential. Iwakuma has shown significant statistical decline in each of the past three seasons, and Kinsler boasts a .350 wOBA against right-handed arms dating back to last year.

THIRD BASE

Nick Castellanos, DET vs. SEA ($3,400): Another low-priced option for a Detroit stack, Castellanos owns a .371 wOBA against right-handed arms dating back to last season and has been hitting third with Miguel Cabrera (groin) out of the lineup. Castellanos has also registered 11 of his 19 hits for extra bases this season to boost his upside.

SHORTSTOP

Aledmys Diaz, STL vs. TOR ($4,200): Since entering the league, Diaz boasts a .239 ISO and .376 wOBA against right-handed arms, and he lands in a soft matchup against a rookie pitcher. Casey Lawrence has allowed eight runs through 8.1 innings through his first three appearances and has surrendered .401 wOBA to right-handed hitters -- albeit over just 30 batters faced.

OUTFIELD

Yoenis Cespedes, NYM vs. ATL ($4,200):R.A. Dickey has allowed a .370 wOBA to right-handed hitters this season, and Cespedes is mired in a bit of a cold funk (5-for-21 without an extra-base hit). Considering Cespedes sports a .253 ISO and .369 wOBA against right-handed hurlers dating back to 2015, this checks out as a slump-busting matchup.

David Peralta, ARI vs. SD ($3,800): Scorching hot, Peralta has five consecutive multi-hit games and owns a .377 wOBA against right-handed pitchers over the past three seasons. Soft-tossing Jered Weaver has also surrendered 30 home runs and .349 wOBA to lefty bats during the same timeframe.

Justin Upton, DET vs. SEA ($3,800): Continuing the against-the-grain stack against Iwakuma, Upton has a 47.8 hard-hit percentage and .446 wOBA against right-handed pitchers through 45 plate appearances this season. He's also cheap and batting fifth in the lineup should provide a number of RBI opportunities.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Neil Parker plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: naparker77, DraftKings: naparker77.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil Parker
A loyal Cubs, Cowboys and Maple Leafs fan for decades, Neil has contributed to RotoWire since 2014. He previously worked for USA Today Fantasy Sports.
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