This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHERS:
Danny Salazar, CLE at CWS ($18,400):- Salazar was outstanding in his first start back from injury last Saturday versus the Blue Jays, compiling 31.15 fantasy points. He now draws a White Sox squad that's posted a .301 wOBA, 22.6 percent strikeout rate and 28.2 percent hard contact rate against right-handers at home in the last month, and that he's already racked up 20 strikeouts against over 11 innings in two starts this season.
Tanner Roark, WAS vs. COL ($15,000):- Roark seems to have emerged from a recent multi-start slump, as he's scored 23.30 and 35.35 fantasy points, respectively, in his last two outings. The Rockies check in with a 26.3 percent strikeout rate, .263 wOBA and 57 wRC+ against right-handers on the road over the last month, while Roark has a 2.50 ERA, .164 BAA and .213 wOBA in three July starts.
INFIELD
Edwin Encarnacion, CLE at CWS ($10,000):- Encarnacion owns a .350 average, three homers and eight RBI over 22 plate appearances versus White Sox lefty Derek Holland, who's allowed a .393 wOBA (including 21 homers) and a 40.9 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters. Encarnacion boasts a .389 wOBA and 38.5 percent hard contact rate versus left-handed pitching, and has a .380 wOBAoverall in 92 July plate appearances. Meanwhile, White Sox relievers have surrendered a .377 wOBA and have a 5.60 ERA against righty bats at home in the last month.
Adrian Beltre, TEX vs. BAL ($8,700):- Beltre is now just four hits away from the 3,000-hit milestone and is in a good spot to get closer to that goal against Orioles starter Chris Tillman, who he owns a .444 average against over 18 plate appearances. Tillman has surrendered a .520 wOBA, a 3.60 HR/9 and a 51.2 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters on the road, while Beltre sports a .441 wOBA, .328 ISO and 46.9 percent hard contact rate versus righty arms at Globe Life Park.
Yan Gomes, CLE at CWS ($6,600):- Gomes makes for an appealing punt play if you need to go cheap at infielder, considering the previously described difficulties that both White Sox starter Derek Holland and the Chicago bullpen have had versus right-handed hitters. Gomes is once again bashing lefties this season, as evidenced by his .446 wOBA, .310 ISO and 40.0 percent hard contact rate against southpaws on the road. He's also been hitting the ball well overall as of late, posting a .345 wOBA in 60 July plate appearances.
OUTFIELD
Mike Trout, LAA at TOR ($10,200):- Trout owns a .399 wOBA versus southpaws, including a .615 figure (along with a 46.7 percent hard contact rate) versus that handedness on the road in a small sample. He's also tagged Blue Jays southpaw J.A. Happ for a .333 average in 17 plate appearances, while Happ has allowed a .365 wOBA (including six homers) and 38.3 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters at Rogers Centre. Happ also has a 5.14 ERA and has allowed a .376 wOBA (including seven homers) in the 21 innings encompassing his four July starts. Furthermore, Toronto relievers have a 6.62 ERA and allowed a .335 wOBA to right-handed hitters at home in the last month.
Corey Dickerson, TB at NYY ($7,600):- Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka has already allowed 12 homers at Yankee Stadium this season, with half of those coming off the bats against left-handed hitters. Dickerson has 16 of his 19 homers on the season versus right-handed pitching and owns a .378 wOBA, .210 ISO and 37.5 percent hard contact rate versus that handedness on the road. He also checks in with a .444 average, three homers and six RBI against Tanaka in 19 plate appearances.
Nick Williams, PHI vs. ATL ($6,300):- Williams has thrived thus far in the majors and owns a .363 wOBA, .206 wOBA and 41.2 percent hard contact rate versus right-handed pitching, as well as a .384 wOBA in 86 July plate appearances overall. Meanwhile, Braves starter Julio Teheran has given up a .343 wOBA, 5.89 xFIP and 38.0 percent hard contact rate to left-handed hitters.
UTILITY
Christian Yelich, MIA vs. CIN ($8,000):- Yelich is in the midst of his best stretch of the season at the plate, posting a .424 wOBA, .256 ISO and 42.9 percent hard contact rate over 101 plate appearances in July. He's also posted a .349 wOBA versus right-handed pitching, along with a 39.8 percent hard contact rate against them at home. Reds starter Sal Romano has allowed a .355 wOBA and 5.61 xFIP to left-handed hitters, along with a 41.7 percent hard contact rate.
Matt Kemp, ATL at PHI ($7,200):- Kemp is in a good position against Phillies starter Jeremy Hellickson, who's surrendered 12 homers to right-handed hitters, along with a .332 wOBA. Hellickson has also surrendered a .364 wOBA and 43.9 percent hard contact rate in his last three starts, while Kemp has 12 of his 14 homers on the season versus righties, along with a .385 wOBA and 35.2 percent hard contact rate against that handedness on the road. He has a favorable track record against Hellickson as well, posting a .318 average over 23 plate appearances.
