This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Lance McCullers, HOU vs. NYY ($10,100): If he had enough innings to qualify, McCullers' curveball would be the best in the league by more than six runs above average. The offering has become such a force that it is now the primary weapon in his arsenal, with a usage rate of over 49 percent in 12 starts. This is bad news for the Yankees, who are the fourth-worst team against the curve this season.
Tyler Duffey, MIN vs. ATL ($5,100): Duffey will bring his ground ball tendencies to a team that has the third-lowest fly ball percentage in the league. The Braves are also a bottom-10 team against the curveball, a pitch Duffey throws nearly 38 percent of the time. There is no denying that the ERA (5.71) is ugly, but Duffey carries an xFIP under 4.00 this season, and there is no better team to face if you are due for a correction.
CATCHER
Willson Contreras, CHC vs. CWS ($4,000):Anthony Ranaudo hasn't been able to get on track in the major leagues after gaining notoriety as a top prospect in the Red Sox's system, and while he has pitched fairly well at Triple-A Charlotte, he has still allowed 1.4 HR/9 over 78.2 innings. This could bode well for someone like Contreras, who has a .213 ISO against right-handed pitchers.
FIRST BASE
Kennys Vargas, MIN vs. ATL ($3,500): Vargas has made the most of his opportunity after Trevor Plouffe was sent to the disabled list, and he now carries a .327/.433/.694 slash line in 49 at-bats. Mike Foltynewicz has shown definite promise this season, but he is still being hammered by lefties, as evidenced by his 2.5 HR/9 rate over 25 innings.
SECOND BASE
Ben Zobrist, CHC vs. CWS ($4,300): We return to Ranaudo with new ammunition, as Zobrist rates more than three runs above average against the curveball, a pitch the former prospect threw nearly 21 percent of the time in the minors. Zobrist has hit well against righties and lefties this season, but he is showing a bit more power (.174 ISO) from the left side of the plate.
THIRD BASE
Adrian Beltre, TEX vs. OAK ($5,100): Putting Sean Manaea in a hitter's park might not be the best way to ensure a good performance, as he has allowed six homers in 21.2 innings on the road. Beltre has excelled against left-handed pitching this year, notching a .388 OBP and .202 ISO over 89 at-bats.
SHORTSTOP
Aledmys Diaz, STL at NYM ($5,100):Logan Verrett has walked more right-handed batters than he has struck out this season, while allowing homers at a 1.9/9 clip. Diaz could be in for a big night against the 26-year-old, as he holds the second-highest runs above average mark in the league against the slider, a pitch Verrett throws more than a quarter of the time.
OUTFIELD
Ian Desmond, TEX vs. OAK ($5,200): Desmond has murdered lefties while on the trail to the Comeback Player of the Year Award, hitting .390 with a .590 slugging percentage. Desmond should be prepared to take his swings at Manaea's changeup, as he rates four runs above average against the pitch.
Yoenis Cespedes, NYM vs. STL ($3,500): With his success against the curveball and cutter, it can be said that Cespedes performs significantly above average against the overwhelming majority of Adam Wainright's arsenal. He also carries a .254 ISO against right-handed pitchers this season.
Matt Holliday, STL at NYM ($3,900): It makes some sense to target multiple Cardinals against Verrett, as they head into the contest with the highest ISO in the league against right-handed pitching. Specifically, Holiday has a .197 ISO and a 38 percent hard contact rate against same-handed hurlers.
Other options: Kris Bryant, CHC vs. CWS ($4,900); Mike Trout, LAA at KC ($4,600); Max Kepler, MIN vs. ATL ($4,500)
