This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHERS:
Jerad Eickhoff, PHI at SD ($15,600):- After a rough patch in May and June, Eickhoff has started to figure things out, and he's scored over 20 fantasy points in three of his last six starts. He also has a solid 3.06 ERA over his last three starts, while the Padres have a majors-worst .219 wOBA along with a 25.3 strikeout rate and 25.8 percent hard contact rate in 91 plate appearances against right-handed pitching at home over the last two weeks.
Adam Conley, MIA vs. SF ($11,600):- Conley isn't exactly safe, but he makes for a viable GPP value play against a Giants team in the midst of an East Coast swing and that's struggled at times against southpaws this season. While Conley was roughed up by the Nationals in his last start, he notably scored 25.55 and 26.45 fantasy points in two late July starts against the Rangers and Reds. He's also posted double-digit fantasy points in three other starts this season, giving him upside as a cost-savings option for tournaments.
INFIELD
Kris Bryant, CHC vs. CIN ($9,600):- Reds starter Asher Wojciechowski has surrendered a .462 wOBA, 4.50 HR/9 and 50.0 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters on the road in a modest sample, while Bryant checks in with a .444 wOBA in 55 August plate appearances. He's also posted a .392 wOBA and .268 ISO against right-handed pitching at home, and Reds relievers have a 5.67 ERA and allowed a .321 wOBA (including six homers) to righty bats on the road since the All-Star break.
Nick Castellanos, DET at TEX ($8,100):- Castellanos has pummeled southpaws on the road for a .466 wOBA, .476 ISO, 34.8 percent HR/FB rate and 47.1 percent hard contact rate, while Rangers starter Martin Perez has allowed a .389 wOBA (including nine homers), a 5.42 xFIP and 39.9 percent hard contact rate to righty bats at Globe Life Park. Meanwhile, Rangers relievers have a 5.67 ERA and have allowed a .328 wOBA and 33.9 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters at home since the All-Star break.
Mike Napoli, TEX vs. DET (6,900):- Napoli is priced right on the other side of the Rangers-Tigers matchup against Michael Fulmer, against whom he owns a .500 average with two homers and seven RBI over nine plate appearances. Napoli also boasts a .347 wOBA, .302 ISO, 27.5 percent HR/FB rate and 48.2 percent hard contact rate against righties at Globe Life Park, while Tigers relievers have allowed a .336 wOBA, including five homers, to right-handed hitters on the road since the All-Star break.
OUTFIELD
Nelson Cruz, SEA vs. BAL ($10,400):- Cruz's August tear includes a .563 wOBA, .568 ISO and 41.2 percent hard contact rate over 48 plate appearances, and he also owns a .371 wOBA and 41.5 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching at home on the season. Orioles starter Kevin Gausman has admittedly been much better recently, but is still allowing a .390 wOBA and 38.0 percent hard contact rate to righty bats on the road.
Whit Merrifield, KC at OAK ($7,500):- Merrifield owns a .334 wOBA and 31.6 percent hard contact rate against righties on the road, while A's starter Jharel Cotton has a 7.36 ERA and has allowed a .378 wOBA over his last two starts. He's also surrendered a .370 wOBA (including seven homers) to righty bats at home, along with a 4.71 xFIP
Mark Trumbo, BAL at SEA ($6,600):- Trumbo boast a .363 wOBA in 19 August plate appearances, and has belted 13 of his 18 homers on the season off right-handed pitching. He's also compiled a .556 average against Mariners starter Yovani Gallardo, who's allowed a .352 wOBA (including 10 homers) and a 5.07 xFIP to right-handed hitters, along with a 35.9 percent hard contact rate when facing them at home. Mariners relievers also have a 4.80 ERA versus righty bats home since the All-Star break.
UTILITY
Jose Altuve, HOU at ARI ($10,800):- Despite the tough matchup against Zack Greinke, Altuve makes for an appealing tournament play, considering his second-half tear and favorable history against the D-Backs ace. Altuve owns a .455 wOBA since the All-Star break, and a .500 average against Greinke in 18 plate appearances. He's also punished righties on the road for a .526 wOBA, .313 ISO and 35.8 percent hard contact rate, while Greinke has a 6.39 ERA and has allowed a .370 wOBA and 40.6 percent hard contact rate in his last two starts. Furthermore, D-Backs relievers have a majors-high 8.50 ERA and .429 wOBA allowed to righty bats at home in the second half.
Kendrys Morales, TOR vs. TB ($7,200):- The switch-hitting Morales has hit 15 of his 21 homers on the season against right-handed pitching and owns a .333 wOBA at Rogers Centre overall. Rays starter Jake Odorizzi has allowed a .335 wOBA and 5.47 xFIP to left-handed hitters, and a .500 average, including a homer and five RBI over 12 plate appearances against Morales.
