This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
PITCHER
Ivan Nova, PIT vs. CIN ($33): Another Thursday with a limited slate, as there are only 14 pitchers to choose from with a mere $13 separating the top priced option from the cheapest. A change of scenery has done Nova incredibly well, as he's 4-0 with a 2.89 ERA over six starts since coming over from the Yankees, having allowed two or fewer runs in four of those outings. His upside is capped by a limited number of missed bats, posting just 6.3 strikeouts per nine innings, but he gets a Reds team that has lost four straight while scoring just eight runs in that stretch.
A.J. Cole, WAS vs. PHIL ($30): Cole has been impressive in three starts, striking out 17 in 18.2 innings while posting a 3.86 ERA, all while facing decent offenses in the Mets, Rockies and Orioles. He'll get a lighter-hitting Phillies squad that mustered only three runs in three games against the Nationals just a week ago. Philadelphia has also struggled all season long against righties, sporting a .292 wOBP and .146 ISO while striking out 22.4 percent of the time.
[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Baseball contest now]
CATCHER
Nick Hundley, COL at SD ($15): Hundley has hit left-handed pitching well, posting a .379 wOBP and .244 ISO over 89 at-bats. While Thursday's starter, Clayton Richard, has been solid since moving into the rotation (three runs over 23.0 innings), he's surrendered 17 hits in his last 12.0 innings. Washington's Wilson Ramos ($10) is a nice bargain should Hundley not be in the lineup.
FIRST BASE
Mitch Moreland, TEX at SEA ($14): Moreland hasn't gone deep since Aug. 27 and has just two extra-base hits since then. But he still has managed a .313 batting average and .826 OPS this month, and 17 of his 22 homers have come off righties. He has an inviting matchup with a combustible Taijuan Walker, who has allowed 15 long balls to lefties in 53.1 innings this year, and surrendered three long balls in just 0.2 innings in his last start.
SECOND BASE
Jason Kipnis, CLE vs. HOU ($17): Kipnis has hit righties better than lefties this season, owning a .356 wOBP and .207 ISO compared to .349/.181 against southpaws. Rookie David Paulino will take the hill for the Astros, and while talented, will be making his Major League debut, and with Kipnis being the ninth-highest priced second baseman, he carries a stable floor with ample upside.
THIRD BASE
Evan Longoria, TB at NYY ($19): Head-to-head plays are rarely reliable in daily settings due to a limited sample size, but with veteran CC Sabathia on the hill Thursday, Longoria's success against him is worth considering. He's 28-of-70 (.400) with seven home runs, nine doubles, 16 RBI and 13 walks in his career against Sabathia. Longoria hasn't enjoyed the calendar flip to September, but was sizzling in August, posting a .374 wOBP and .297 ISO.
SHORTSTOP
Jonathan Villar, MIL at STL ($19): Villar has scored at least 12 fantasy points in three of his last four games, and he has a .392 wOBP on the season against lefties. He'll have an inviting matchup against the Cards' Jaime Garcia, who has allowed 20 runs over his last five starts (28 innings).
OUTFIELD
Nelson Cruz, SEA vs. TEX ($19): Entering Wednesday, Cruz has gone 8-of-22 with three home runs, five RBI and six runs scored in five September outings. He has crushed lefties heading into a matchup against his old team and starter Derek Holland, owning a .400 wOBP and .312 ISO against southpaws.
Starling Marte, PIT vs. CIN ($14): Marte missed Wednesday's game with back spasms, so be ready to plug in any of the other Pirates outfielders as needed, as none of Andrew McCutchen ($18), Josh Bell ($13) and Gregory Polanco ($13) are cost prohibitive. But Marte seems to have the best upside in the matchup. He had multiple hits in six of his last eight outings (14-of-34) and leads the foursome with a .357 wOBP against righties. He'll now face Dan Straily, who walked seven batters in his last outing, and seven runs in his prior start.
Franklin Gutierrez, SEA vs. TEX ($16): Gutierrez is almost as hot as his previously mentioned teammate, owning a seven-game hitting streak, while going 11-for-22 and adding eight RBI. Rangers' starter Derek Holland has allowed 10 of his 11 home runs to righties, as well as a .375 wOBP.
