This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Jason Hammel, CHC vs. CIN ($7,900): There is significant profit upside built into this cap hit. Hammel owns a 24.3 percent strikeout rate dating back to the beginning of last season, including six punchouts through six innings in his first 2016 start. Off to a 7-1 start, the Cubs are significant favorites Thursday, and the wind is also forecasted to be blowing in at Wrigley Field.
Ross Stripling, LAD vs. ARI ($6,000): After his dazzling debut start, this is too low of a salary not to take another flier on the 26-year-old righty. However, Stripling is going to be extremely chalky, and he only struck out four batters through 7.1 innings Friday. Plus, it was his first start above Double-A, and last season he returned a mediocre 3.86 FIP at that level. The cap relief is attractive, but you'll still want to keep your expectations in check.
CATCHER
Matt Wieters, BAL at TEX ($2,900): Look for the tough matchup against Cole Hamels to scare off the masses, but at this cap hit, Wieters' success against southpaws is worth a long look. Through his past 430 plate appearances against lefties, he has a .506 slugging percentage, .217 ISO, .364 wOBA and 129 wRC+.
FIRST BASE
Kendrys Morales, KC at HOU ($4,500): Likely to fly under the radar, Morales has torched righties dating back to last season with a .527 slugging percentage, .251 ISO, .375 wOBA and 139 wRC+. Opposing-starter Doug Fister's numbers are skewed because of his usage as a reliever last season, but as a starter, he allowed a .302/.341/.471 slash line to opposing bats, and he allowed three runs on five hits and two walks through five innings in his opening start this year.
SECOND BASE
Howie Kendrick, LAD vs. ARI ($3,600): Suiting up in his third game since returning from injury, look for Kendrick to have a solid showing against Robbie Ray. The southpaw has struggled against right-handed hitters with a .344 wOBA allowed dating back to 2014, which is fueled by a 37.8 percent hard-hit rate. Kendrick has returned a .342 wOBA against lefties during the time frame, and he hits in the heart of a strong lineup.
THIRD BASE
Manny Machado, BAL at TEX ($3,800): Oddly underpriced given his 15-for-34 and .544 wOBA to start the season, Machado could be scarcely owned Thursday because of the previously mentioned tough matchup against Cole Hamels. And while Machado owns a reverse split and has underwhelmed against southpaws in comparison to righties, he has still returned a respectable .326 wOBA and 103 wRC+ against lefties since the beginning of last season.
SHORTSTOP
Addison Russell, CHC vs. CIN ($3,100): The discounted salary offsets the tough matchup against Raisel Iglesias, and Russell has a three-game hitting streak with two runs and four RBI. Remember, the shortstop improved significantly down the stretch in 2015 with a .320 wOBA and 101 wRC+ in the second half. Being attached to a heavyweight offense helps, too.
OUTFIELD
Colby Rasmus, HOU vs. KC ($3,900): Off to a 9-for-27 start with six runs, two doubles, three home runs and seven RBI, Rasmus is in the midst of one of his notorious hot stretches. Dating back to 2012, he has a .233 ISO, .342 wOBA and 115 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers, and he has posted .264, .341 and 117 marks at Minute Maid Park since joining Houston.
David Peralta, ARI at LAD ($3,600): The proven righty killer is far too cheap to be ignored Thursday. Since the beginning of 2015, Peralta has returned a .551 slugging percentage, .396 wOBA and 149 wRC+, including 52 extra-base hits in 455 plate appearances.
Trayce Thompson, LAD vs. ARI ($2,900): Since entering the league, Thompson has a .639 slugging percentage, .295 ISO, .427 wOBA and 173 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers. It is a sample size of just 64 plate appearances, but Thompson has been seeing regular duty against southpaws this season, and Robbie Ray's struggles against right-handed batters has been previously noted.
