This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHER
James Paxton, SEA at OAK ($18,400): Instead of spending a little more on a bigger name, I'm just as comfortable with Paxton, who has been lights out in his first three starts. He has not allowed a run while giving up just eight hits and striking out 22 in 21.0 innings. The selling point is that the A's have been one of the worst teams against lefties in the early season with a .252 wOBA in 155 at-bats.
Danny Duffy, KC at TEX ($15,900): For a guy who's been pitching well, this is a good enough matchup to take a cheaper option. Duffy has gone seven innings in his last two outings and has 17 Ks in three starts. The Rangers are having some issues hitting the ball and a .262 wOBA against lefties shows that with an even worse 29.2 percent K-rate.
INFIELD
Eric Thames, MIL vs. STL ($7,600): Until his price pops, there are no reasons why Thames shouldn't be on every roster. He is so hot that he was walked three times Wednesday. Prior to that, he had six homers and 13 hits in six games. He faces righty Carlos Martinez, who has had some good starts but also only has 10.1 innings pitched in his last two starts, and he walked eight in his most recent one.
Kyle Seager, SEA at OAK ($8,000):Robinson Cano can also be looked at in this situation, but I'm going with the cheaper Seager. The Marines face Cesar Valdez, who hasn't appeared in a major league game since 2010. Seager got a lot of action in Wednesday's game and while he hasn't been great this season, this is the perfect time to put together a string of good games. The number that stands out most is his .390 wOBA against righties last season.
Paul Goldschmidt, ARI at SD ($10,000): For anyone who saved money at pitcher, Goldschmidt is a guy to break the bank for in the field. His numbers aren't great this season, but a matchup with Clayton Richard could change that. After a dominant first outing, Richard has given up eight runs in his last two starts and has been much worse against righties (.367 wOBA allowed). Goldschmidt's .449 wOBA from last season will come around at some point and this could be the matchup it does.
OUTFIELD
Jay Bruce, NYM vs. PHI ($6,800): Bruce has been miles better against righties this season (.461 wOBA) and that's not all surprising after his .361 wOBA against them a year ago. Aaron Nola looked good in his first two starts, but both of those came against one team and he appears to have something on the Nationals. His K% against lefties was much lower last season (21.9) and that should help Bruce in this matchup, at least more than the righties.
Jarrod Dyson, SEA at OAK ($6,000): Dyson will start things off against Valdez and when he gets on base, more often than not scores. While he's struggling (.275 wOBA vs. righties), this is still a good enough situation to back him at a nice price in a lefty-righty matchup against a questionable pitcher.
Adam Eaton, WAS at ATL ($7,800): Batters have been hitting R.A. Dickey regularly (16 H in 11.2 IP) and Eaton should capitalize on that. He had a .350 wOBA against righties last season, and combined with Dickey's 5.25 xFIP against lefties, makes this a great play for somewhat cheap.
UTILITY
Wil Myers, SD vs. ARI ($9,300): Myers cooled off over the last couple series, but a matchup with Patrick Corbin may help him find a groove. Corbin has been fine with only five earned runs, but he's giving up hits and isn't striking anyone out (career 16.9 K%). For Myers, his five strikeouts in 15 at-bats against lefties could be forgiven and that could help him get back to last season's .349 wOBA.
Chris Davis, BAL at CIN ($9,200): Adding in some extra power to the lineup, Davis, who strikes out a bunch, gets a pitcher who isn't a huge strikeout threat. Scott Feldman had just a 14.6 K% against lefties last season and that lines up with his career number (14.0). Davis's .264 ISO against righties last season is nice, and combined with his .453 wOBA in 2017, it's a good spot to take a chance on him.
