DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

PITCHER

Danny Salazar, CLE at TB ($11,700): Tampa Bay sports a league-worst .282 wOBA against right-handed pitchers since the All-Star break, and Salazar enters in elite form. The righty owns a 1.74 FIP and 39.4 strikeout percentage through three starts since returning from the disabled list.

Jason Hammel, KC at STL ($6,800): This is an intriguing price to take a flier on Hammel. The veteran has allowed three runs or fewer in 10 of his past 11 starts and posted a 3.64 FIP and 1.19 WHIP. His 17.1 strikeout percentage during that stretch is disappointing, but Hammel has the potential to miss more bats after posting a -- mark through the previous two seasons. The Cards also sport the seventh-highest strikeout percentage (23.6) against righties in the second half.

CATCHER

Austin Barnes, LAD at ARI ($3,300): This is a reasonable price for the backup catcher, and Barnes lands in a soft matchup. Anthony Banda is making just his third start in the majors after posting a 5.13 ERA in the minors this season, and Barnes owns a solid .375 on-base percentage and .387 wOBA against left-handed hurlers. If Barnes is out of the lineup, Yasmani Grandal ($3,500) is a potential pivot, albeit with less success against lefties (.310 wOBA).

FIRST BASE

Eric Hosmer, KC at STL ($3,700): Dating back to June 1, Hosmer has posted an excellent .917 OPS, and he sports a .382 wOBA against right-handed pitchers for the campign. Lance Lynn has held left-handed hitters to a .333 wOBA, but there is likely negative regression ahead of his unsustainably low .232 BABIP allowed to them. Hosmer's salary is also low considering his current form.

SECOND BASE

Jose Ramirez, CLE at TB ($4,800): With a .362 wOBA against southpaws, Ramirez sets up nicely against Blake Snell. The young lefty has surrendered a .361 wOBA to right-handed hitters this season, and Ramirez is also locked into the heart of Cleveland lineup.

THIRD BASE

Ryon Healy, OAK vs. BAL ($3,500): This salary doesn't align with Healy's monster numbers against lefties or how poorly Wade Miley has pitched against right-handed hitters. Healy sports a 1.077 OPS, .315 ISO and .448 wOBA against lefties this year, and Miley sports an 8.55 ERA while allowing a .432 wOBA to right-handed hitters through his past 12 starts.

SHORTSTOP

Didi Gregorius, NYY at TOR ($4,200): Opposing starter Marco Estrada owns a 7.39 ERA and has surrendered a .370 wOBA to left-handed hitters through 12 starts dating back to June 1, so this sets up nicely for Gregorius. The shortstop has moved into the heart of the order against right-handed pitchers and sports a .379 wOBA against them. This salary is also manageable.

OUTFIELD

Ryan Braun, MIL vs. MIN ($4,800): While Dietrich Enns has pitched well in the minors, he'll be making his first career start at hitter-friendly Miller Park, and Braun has owned lefties for a prolonged stretch. The veteran outfielder boasts a .408 on-base percentage and .410 wOBA against southpaws since 2015.

Brett Gardner, NYY at TOR ($4,000): As noted, this is a ripe matchup, and Gardner already has a career-high 19 home runs this season. The outfielder boasts a power-speed combo from the leadoff spot, and he sports a solid .366 on-base percentage and .362 wOBA.

Trey Mancini, BA at OAK ($3,400): Craig Smith is a 36-year-old veteran with just four career starts and mainly pitched in the minors, so Mancini's salary and numbers against right-handed hurlers stand out. The young outfielder has posted a .358 ISO and .387 wOBA, after all.

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
Neil is a former RotoWire contributor. A loyal Cubs, Cowboys and Maple Leafs fan for decades, Neil had contributed to RotoWire since 2014. He previously worked for USA Today Fantasy Sports.
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