This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Even with 10 teams getting the night off, Wednesday's 10-game MLB slate provides more than enough options for any format. The players below all stand out as strong candidates to finish at or near the top in scoring for their respective positions given their matchups…
PITCHER
Kyle Hendricks, CHC vs. SF ($8,500): Kendricks' $8,500 price represents his second-cheapest valuation of the season even though he's facing a Giants team that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing pitchers and comes in hot after averaging 18.7 fantasy points in his past two starts. His chances of a home win here are also excellent considering the surging Cubs offense backing him comes in averaging 7.0 runs per game in the past seven. The 27-year-old's 20.2 strikeout rate should start climbing soon considering he finished each of the last two seasons at 22.6 percent or higher, and San Francisco presents little offensive threat given its 28th-ranked average of 3.48 runs per game.
Luis Severino, NYY vs. KC ($9,900): Severino has struggled in his last two starts at Yankee Stadium, but his 34.2 and 30.2-point performances in his first two home appearances show that the youngster is more than capable of delivering in front of the New York fans. Run support is rarely an issue with New York's explosive second-ranked offense, and he likely won't need much of it to notch a win against a Royals lineup that has averaged a league-low 3.34 runs per game. Severino's upside rivals Chris Sale's when factoring in opposition, but he can be had for $3,600 cheaper than Boston's ace.
CATCHER
Gary Sanchez, NYY vs. KC ($4,500): Sanchez has pummeled right-handed hitters to the tune of a .381 wOBA this season, backing up his incredible .451 mark from 2016. The slugging catcher should have no problem staying hot against righty Jason Hammel, who's allowing a .444 wOBA to his first 84 right-handed hitters faced this season. Yankee Stadium's 1.21 park factor plays further in Sanchez's favor.
FIRST BASE
Chris Carter, NYY vs. KC ($3,700): Carter has belted one into the seats in each of this series' first two games, and Hammel's aforementioned struggles against righties give the all-or-nothing hitter a strong hope of launching another long ball here. His poor batting average makes Carter an inherently risky play, but his .407 wOBA in 30 home plate appearances against righties suggests this is the perfect combination of opponent and venue to maximize his tantalizing upside.
SECOND BASE
Ian Happ, CHC vs. SF ($4,100): The sample size isn't exactly meaningful, but it's tough to ignore Happ's early success from the right side. His 2-for-4 start with a double and a triple has resulted in a .704 wOBA against lefties like Matt Moore, which goes hand in hand with the switch-hitter's .478 mark when facing righties. Chicago's clean-up hitter won't be available for just $4,100 much longer if he keeps raking like this, so scoop him up while you still can.
THIRD BASE
Rio Ruiz, ATL vs. PIT ($2,900): Ruiz has seen regular playing time at first base since Freddie Freeman (wrist) went down last Wednesday, and the affordable corner infielder has acquitted himself well with a 13.3 percent walk rate and a long ball off Max Scherzer. Pirates righty Trevor Williams is no Scherzer, as he has surrendered 10 runs in 13.2 innings since joining the rotation. The bang for the buck on the left-handed slugger is too good to pass up given the circumstances.
SHORTSTOP
Xander Bogaerts, BOS vs. TEX ($4,700): Bogaerts owns a .367 career wOBA against lefties, and that stat jumps to .392 at the hitter-friendly Fenway Park. Texas' Martin Perez is ill-equipped to lower those numbers considering he has finished every season since 2014 with a wOBA of at least .335 allowed to batters from the right side. The Red Sox should have no problems racking up runs with Perez having allowed at least two in each of his past six outings, and Bogaerts is well positioned to both score and drive them in as Boston's three-hole hitter.
OUTFIELD
Bryce Harper, WAS vs. SEA ($5,400): Harper is zoned in after smashing his 14th homer of the season in Tuesday's series opener, and Mariners righty Sam Gaviglio is hardly equipped to deal with the 2015 NL MVP given that he has just seven innings of major league experience under his belt. Of all the high-priced outfielders, Harper is best positioned for a big game given his combination of matchup and momentum.
George Springer, HOU vs. DET ($4,200): Springer's .341 wOBA against southpaws comes from a tremendous power stroke that has seen him smash three homers and post a .282 isolated power in 45 plate appearances. His .179 BABIP in that split suggests the leadoff man still has room for improvement, and that improvement could well begin against Daniel Norris. Norris has struggled heavily against right-handed hitters, with a .354 wOBA allowed to the 158 batters he's faced this season.
Corey Dickerson, TB vs. LAA ($4,700): Dickerson has launched six homers in the past seven games, and has a great chance to maintain that momentum against righty Ricky Nolasco. While the outfielder's breakout season has featured a .435 wOBA against right-handers, the Angels' veteran has struggled to the tune of a 4.01 ERA that could get even worse judging by his 5.37 FIP.
