This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Pitcher
Gio Gonzalez, WAS at ATL ($41): With Freddie Freeman out for the foreseeable future, the Braves will be a popular offense to play against. Even with Freeman in the lineup, Atlanta had just a .317 wOBA and .158 ISO against lefties. Gonzalez may not have huge strikeout upside, as he's fanning batters at a career-low rate of 19.4 percent, but he's worked six innings and allowed two or fewer runs in all but one appearance, and with his high chance of picking up a win, Gonzalez offers plenty of stability.
Michael Wacha, STL vs. SF ($36): The Giants have a .287 wOBA and .656 OPS on the road this season, going 6-15 while averaging 3.4 runs. That seemingly sets Wacha up for success Friday, and he's got a bit of upside thanks to a 23.5 percent strikeout rate. He's gone at least six frames in every start, and should be well rested after having his last turn skipped.
[Sign up for a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Baseball contest today]
[Free entry into MLB Yahoo Cup: $25K in prizes]
Catcher
Jonathan Lucroy, TEX at DET ($13): Lucroy brings a modest six-game hitting streak into Friday, picking up 11 hits in that span. While only two of those have gone for extra bases, he has a .408 wOBA and .958 OPS against lefties entering a matchup with Daniel Norris and his 4.34 ERA. Lucroy offers a relatively inexpensive buy in to the game with the highest total on the docket.
First Base
Josh Bell, PIT vs. PHI ($15): Bell is finding his power stroke, having gone deep four times in the last six games. It's led to him owning a team-high .218 ISO to go along with a .357 wOBA against righties. He's slid into the cleanup spot and should have an opportunity or two against Jeremy Hellickson, who has only a 5.9 percent strikeout rate, has allowed nine long balls in 43.2 frames, and 12 runs over his last 13.2 innings.
Second Base
Chris Taylor, LAD vs. MIA($14): Taylor has found great success in the early going against southpaws, owning a 1.071 OPA and .462 wOBA. He'll face Justin Nicolino Friday, who was impressive in his major league debut against the weak-hitting Braves, but had a 4.46 ERA in seven Triple-A starts before being recalled.
Third Base
T.J. Rivera, NYM vs. LAA ($11): If paying for either Michael Conforto ($20) or Jay Bruce ($18) isn't in the budget, Rivera owns a decent .374 wOBA against righties while Angels' starter has been better against left-handed bats than right, surrendering a .389 wOBA and nine home runs over 102 batters faced (.321 wOBA, four HRs, 89 batters against lefties).
Shortstop
Francisco Lindor, CLE at HOU ($17): This play is more about value, than the matchup, as Lindor checks in equal or less expensive than seven others at this position. He's got a respectable .354 wOBA against righties, owning a .302 ISO compared to .186 against southpaws, giving him a chance at some upside against Charlie Morton, who has allowed four or more runs in three of his last five outings.
Outfield
Yasmany Tomas, ARI at SD ($19): Tomas offers a slightly cheaper option than teammates Paul Goldschmidt ($28) and Jake Lamb ($21), and appears to offer as much upside against Jered Weaver, who has allowed a whopping 14 home runs in 41.2 innings. Tomas sports a .329 ISO and .404 wOBA against righties.
Jayson Werth, WAS at ATL ($19):R.A. Dickey's knuckle ball hasn't been dancing around the plate as much as it has in the outfield bleachers of SunTrust Park, having allowed seven home runs in 25.0 innings at his new home. He's surrendering a .378 wOBA to righties to boot, the exact same number Werth is putting up against right handers. Werth is 13-of-27 in his career against Dickey, with five extra-base hits and five walks.
Tommy Pham, STL vs. SF ($13): I had hoped to use Stephen Piscotty ($9) at a discount, but he appears unlikely to be activated Friday after leaving Thursday's rehab appearance for precautionary reasons. Pham is a nice substitute however for similar reasons, as a matchup with Matt Moore, who has allowed 21 runs in 18.0 road innings, and a.404 wOBA to righties plays well. For his part, Pham has a 23.1 percent walk rate against lefties, and while he's shown more power against right handers, he seems capable of reaching base a few times and hopefully crossing the plate as well.
