This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
Friday night brings a typically robust slate with plenty of options across the pricing scale. FantasyDraft's unique roster construction offers the flexibility to work in many of the appealing options available, so let's dive in to see how you might best allocate your dollars:
PITCHERS
Francisco Liriano, TOR at TB ($17,400): Liriano followed up last season well with an impressive spring, one in which he generated a 2.00 ERA, .161 BAA and 29:6 K:BB ratio over 18 innings. He'll face a Rays team Friday that had the highest strikeout rate (25.4 percent) against left-handed pitching last season and has scored only three runs in the last three games.
Mike Leake, STL vs. CIN ($13,500): Leake is coming off a solid spring in which he notched three victories, and he will now face a Reds team that was slightly worse than average (.307 wOBA) against right-handed pitching last season. He did a good job of keeping the ball on the ground this spring, and the Reds were also a much less potent offense on the road last season, posting a mediocre .303 wOBA that ranked seventh-lowest in the majors.
INFIELDERS
Paul Goldschmidt, ARI vs. CLE ($10,400): Goldschmidt is hitting .333 with two homers and three RBI to start the season, and he sported a .362 wOBA and 35.8 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching last year, including a .391 wOBA in the hitter-friendly confines of Chase Field. Indians starter Josh Tomlin had significant trouble with the long ball last season, and he gave up a .356 wOBA and 22 home runs to right-handed hitters. Things looked no better this spring for him, as he yielded seven homers and generated a 5.50 ERA in 18 innings of Cactus League play.
Francisco Lindor, CLE at ARI ($8,700): I expect the D-Backs-Indians tilt to be a high-scoring one, and Lindor is another hitter who should benefit He enjoyed an excellent season last year but was at his best from the left side of the plate, as he had a .306 batting average and .351 wOBA against right-handed pitching. D-Backs starter Shelby Miller is coming off a spring in which he generated a 6.46 ERA in 15.1 innings and a 2016 campaign in which he surrendered a .400 wOBA, 5.54 xFIP, 1.47 HR/9 and 42.3 percent hard contact rate to left-handed hitters at Chase Field.
Yonder Alonso, OAK at TEX ($6,800): A number of viable value options exist at bargain prices Friday in addition to Alonso, including Andrelton Simmons ($6,300), Salvador Perez ($6,600) and Jorge Polanco ($6,900). However, Alonso has a .323 wOBA and 33 home runs against right-handed pitching in his career and now faces the volatile A.J. Griffin in hitter-friendly Globe Life Park. Griffin gave up a whopping .406 wOBA and 2.88 HR/9 to left-handed hitters last season, along with a 47.5 percent hard contact rate at home. He also endured a rough spring, generating a 5.73 ERA and giving up seven homers in just 22 innings. Alonso also enjoyed success against right-handed pitchers last season away from the expansive confines of his home park, as he battered that handedness for a .340 wOBA and 32 percent hard contact rate on the road.
OUTFIELDERS
Kyle Schwarber, CHC at MIL ($9,900): Schwarber is off to a solid start (.300, one homer, three RBI) this season and Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson comes in having surrendered a .353 wOBA and 27 homers to left-handed hitting over his four major league seasons. He also surrendered a 37 percent hard contact rate to them at Miller Park last season, while Schwarber has done very well right-handed pitching over the last two seasons.
A.J. Pollock, ARI vs. CLE ($8,400): Pollock has started the season on fire (.421 average, one homer, five RBI) and is another potent bat to throw out against Indians starter Josh Tomlin, whose problems against righty hitters were detailed earlier. Pollock lost much of 2016 to injury but blasted right-handed pitching for a .369 wOBA in 2015, along with a 40.6 percent hard contact rate at home. He also brings the added potential of a stolen base or two, enhancing his already strong value.
Paulo Orlando, KC at HOU ($6,300): Orlando showed some surprising power this spring, crushing four homers and adding a pair of doubles over 20 games. He hit righties well in his breakout 2016 season, with a .300 average, 15 doubles, two triples, 33 RBI and a 31.2 percent hard contact rate. Meanwhile, Astros starter Mike Fiers had his share of troubles against right-handed bats, giving up a .358 wOBA, 17 homers and a 1.65 HR/9, along with a 37.2 percent hard contact rate to that handedness at home.
UTILITY
Mark Trumbo, BAL vs. NYY ($9,300):Carlos Santana ($9,200) is also an excellent option for those who can spend up a little, but Trumbo has dominated Yankees starter Luis Severino in their handful of encounters and also blasted right-handed pitching for a .391 wOBA (and .421 at home), 26.1 HR/FB rate and 39.9 percent hard contact rate last season. Meanwhile, Severino had plenty of trouble with righty bats, giving up a .370 wOBA and 1.78 HR/9 to that handedness of hitter.
J.T. Realmuto, MIA at NYM ($6,600): Realmuto had a .322 average and .348 wOBA against right-handed pitching last season, and he has been wielding a hot bat early this season. Mets starter Zack Wheeler has not pitched in the majors since 2014 and endured a rough spring, generating a 5.11 ERA and giving up four homers over just 12.1 innings.
