This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Jon Lester, CHC at HOU ($12,100): After holding the opposition to one run or fewer in each of his last four starts, Lester promises to excel on extended rest against a strikeout-prone Astros team. He is slightly exceeding his career rate with an 8.73 K/9, and that number will likely be on the rise against one of the three major-league lineups that strikes out more than once per inning. Based on recent form, he's as good as any option out there.
Hisashi Iwakuma, SEA at OAK ($6,500): Iwakuma's pedestrian recent form could serve as a blessing in disguise, allowing savvy owners to grab him for only $6,500 against an Oakland team that is one of just four major league outfits averaging under four runs per game. He is already 3-0 in three meetings with the A's this season, having allowed just seven runs in 19.1 innings for a 3.26 ERA. With history on his side in baseball's fifth-most pitcher-friendly stadium, Iwakuma should have no trouble outperforming his price.
CATCHER
Jonathan Lucroy, TEX at LAA ($3,600): Lucroy should be well rested after a day off, further raising his likelihood of exploiting a favorable matchup against Angels southpaw Tyler Skaggs. He has a career .362 wOBA against left-handers, while Skaggs is allowing a .345 mark to hitters from the right side of the plate this year. After having hit safely in nine of his last 10 starts, it's tough to imagine the sixth hitter in a dangerous Rangers lineup suddenly slowing down here.
FIRST BASE
Anthony Rizzo, CHC at HOU ($5,600): With a .409 wOBA against right-handers, Rizzo is a dangerous option any time the opposition puts one on the mound. When that pitcher is struggling as badly as Houston rookie Joe Musgrove, the first baseman's upside rivals any hitter in baseball. Musgrove has given up 18 runs in 19 innings over his last four starts, as his wOBA allowed to left-handed hitters has risen to .372. Expect Rizzo to continue pushing those ugly numbers up as the most dangerous option in a loaded Cubs lineup.
SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano, SEA at OAK ($5,200): Oakland starter Daniel Mengden has hit a massive rookie wall, lasting just 25.2 innings in his last six starts while allowing a whopping 30 earned runs. Given Cano's .399 wOBA against righties, he's the Mariners hitter best positioned to produce in what should be a high-scoring game for the visitors. Some will stay away due to his minor foot injury, but it hasn't stopped him from pushing his hitting streak to double digits, and it is unlikely to impact him in this one.
THIRD BASE
Matt Carpenter, STL vs. MIL ($4,900): Carpenter has an impressive .393 wOBA against right-handed pitching, and that number figures to rise by the end of the night given his prior success against Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson. The versatile infielder is 6-for-13 with one home run in his career facing the mediocre righty, so chances are he'll be on base multiple times out of the leadoff spot. Considering Nelson has been knocked around for 29 runs in just 33.1 innings over his last seven starts, Carpenter's odds of scoring and/or driving in a few runs out of his prominent lineup spot are high.
SHORTSTOP
Didi Gregorius, NYY vs. TB ($3,700): Gregorius greatly prefers to face southpaws despite being one himself, accumulating a .361 wOBA in that split. While Rays lefty Blake Snell looks like a tough matchup initially, he has been downright awful away from the pitcher-friendly environment of Tropicana Field of late. The rookie has allowed 10 runs over just 4.2 innings in two road starts since the calendar turned to August, and Gregorius is well-positioned to add to his struggles out of the heart of New York's order in hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium.
OUTFIELD
Lorenzo Cain, KC at CWS ($4,500): If he can make his expected return to the lineup after missing nine days with a wrist injury, Cain should immediately hop back onto DFS radars. The Royals outfielder's .414 wOBA indicates that he finds success against most lefties, and White Sox starter Carlos Rodon is no exception. While Rodon is nearly unhittable for left-handed hitters, right-handed bats have a solid .344 wOBA against him. Cain is much more skilled in this split than the average righty, and his 5-for-8 career mark in this matchup shows that the youngster hasn't been able to figure him out at all.
Gregory Polanco, PIT vs. CIN ($5,000): Polanco has set a favorable precedent after going 2-for-2 in his first encounter with Tim Adleman, which isn't surprising given the Cincinnati starter's poor .365 wOBA allowed to left-handed hitters. The Pirates outfielder is starting to rebound from a slump with four hits in his last three games, and he is in excellent position to add to his team-leading 82 RBI batting in the cleanup spot.
Lonnie Chisenhall, CLE at MIN ($3,500): Chisenhall's .343 wOBA against righties has been on the rise of late thanks to his robust 8-for-17 performance during an active five-game hitting streak. He has a great chance to stay hot against Twins starter Tyler Duffey, who was recalled from Triple-A after managing a 6.24 ERA in 115.1 innings for Minnesota earlier in the season. Cleveland's offense should be in for a good game against a pitcher who allowed 11 earned runs over just 6.2 innings in his final two August starts, and Chisenhall is arguably their best bang for the buck option at just $3,500.
