This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
Saturday night brings another solid MLB slate with games at hitter-friendly venues Chase Field, Coors Field and Miller Park. FantasyDraft's unique roster construction offers the flexibility to work in many appealing options, so let's dive in to how you might best allocate your dollars:
PITCHERS
Madison Bumgarner, SF at SD ($24,300): Bumgarner made a couple of mistakes on Opening Day but was otherwise dominant, fanning 11 D-Backs over seven innings. Saturday, he draws a matchup against a Padres squad that posted the second-highest strikeout rate (25.3) against lefties last season, and had the lowest road wOBA (.293). Bumgarner was only 2-2 against San Diego last season but racked up 39 strikeouts over 34.1 innings, along with a .218 BAA. The Giants also stand a good chance of putting up some runs on Padres starter Jhoulys Chacin, increasing Bumgarner's shot at a victory.
Danny Duffy, KC at HOU ($18,900): The Astros posted a 23.4 percent strikeout rate against southpaws last season and Duffy looked sharp as ever in his first start of 2017, surrendering just one earned run on three hits over six innings versus the Twins. He was solid on the road last season as well, generating a 3.42 ERA, .226 BAA and 94:19 K:BB over 76.1 innings.
INFIELDERS
Corey Seager, LAD at COL ($10,500): A number of Dodgers look appealing in a Coors Field matchup against Rockies starter Jon Gray, including Seager, who posted a .334 average, .400 wOBA, 21.0 percent HR/FB and 39.6 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching in 2016. He's already rapped out four hits, including a home run, in 10 at-bats against righties this season, and Gray gave up a 35.5 percent hard contact rate and 1.14 HR/9 to left-handed hitters in 2016.
Freddie Freeman, ATL at PIT ($8,700): Pirates starter Chad Kuhl took his share of lumps against left-handed hitters in his rookie 2016 season, surrendering a .363 wOBA to left-handed batters that rose to .465 when facing them at PNC Park. He also yielded a 44.7 percent hard contact rate to that handedness at home, while Freeman compiled a .303 average, .410 wOBA, 27 home runs and a 43.3 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching last season, including a .466 wOBA against that handedness on the road.
Buster Posey, SF at SD ($7,600): Posey has hit .474 with a double and home run against Padres starter Jhoulys Chacin over 19 career at-bats and posted a .324 wOBA against right-handed pitching last season, along with a 37.6 percent hard contact rate when facing them on the road. Chacin was battered by the Dodgers in his first start of the season and could be in for similar struggles against a dangerous Giants lineup, potentially setting up some RBI opportunities for Posey.
OUTFIELDERS
Bryce Harper, WAS at PHI ($9,600): Harper faces a pitcher he's enjoyed plenty of success against in Aaron Nola, and he's also gotten the new season off to an excellent start with a pair of homers and five RBI over his first four games. The slugging outfielder posted a .352 wOBA and 35.0 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitchers in what was considered somewhat of a down season in 2016, and he has a .394 wOBA against that handedness over his career.
Willson Contreras, CHC at MIL ($7,600): Brewers starter Tommy Milone has struggled with the long ball throughout his career and surrendered a .362 wOBA, 1.81 HR/9 and 33.9 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters in 2016. Contreras raked against southpaws in his impressive rookie season, posting a .365 wOBA against southpaws and 39.7 percent hard contact rate when facing them away from Wrigley Field.
Brandon Drury, ARI vs. CLE ($6,800): Indians starter Trevor Bauer surrendered a .320 wOBA and 12 of his 20 homers last season to right-handed hitters, and Drury posted a .413 wOBA, .237 ISO and 36.8 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching at hitter-friendly Chase Field in 2016. That trend has persisted in the new season, as Drury has hit safely in all four home games this year.
UTILITY
Odubel Herrera PHI vs. WAS ($7,600): Herrera has hit safely in each of his first four games and posted a .303 average, 15 homers, .359 wOBA and 30.0 percent hard contact rate versus right-handed pitching last season. That profiles nicely against Nationals spot starter Jeremy Guthrie, who last pitched in the majors in 2015 and surrendered a .406 wOBA, 20 homers, 2.26 HR/9 and 32.6 percent hard contact rate to lefty bats that season. Herrera also brings the potential for walks and stolen bases, enhancing his already solid upside.
Anthony Rizzo, CHC at MIL ($10,400): Rizzo makes for an excellent left-handed option against Tommy Milone, who had just as much trouble with lefty bats last season. Milone surrendered a .357 wOBA, 2.45 HR/9 and 42.0 percent hard contact rate to left-handed hitters in 2016, while Rizzo posted a .362 wOBA and .205 ISO against southpaws.
