This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Pitcher
Justin Verlander, DET at CWS ($50): I'm finding it difficult to go against Verlander in this slate if you're looking for an ace to anchor your lineup. He's been borderline dominant since the All-Star break, posting a 2.48 ERA and he brings top upside thanks to an improved strikeout rate that sits at 28.8 percent in the second half. Verlander has provided less than 26.7 points just twice in his last eight starts, while the White Sox rank 28th offensively against righties with a .306 wOBA, complimented by a 22.5 percent fan rate and – 46.1 wRAA.
J.A. Happ, TOR vs. MIN ($34): Picking a second, or bargain-priced arm, Friday is no easy task. I was tempted to roll with Nats' spot starter Matt Grace ($25) to try and match the Mets' Jacob deGrom, but if you want a little more stability, Happ could offer that. He allowed five runs last time out, but prior to that he had given up only one run in each of his previous three outings and has amassed 31 strikeouts over his last 23.2 innings. Minnesota remains without slugger Miguel Sano, but even with him in the lineup, they boast a mediocre .313 wOBA against lefties along with a –9.3 wRAA.
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Catcher
Chris Iannetta, ARI vs. SF ($11): Iannetta ranks third on the club against lefties with a .409 wOBA and 147 wRC+ while also carrying a nice .275 ISO. He's found his power stroke of late as well, launching four homers in August after hitting only eight through the season's first four months. He'll have a chance to tee off against the Giants' Ty Blach, who has a 5.50 road ERA while allowing 12 runs and three homers in his last two starts.
First Base
Justin Smoak, TOR vs. MIN ($20): Picking on Twins' starter Bartolo Colon is never a poor option, and Smoak checks in $8 less than teammate Josh Donaldson. Smoak's .366 wOBA and 128 wRC+ play decently here, but his 42.9 percent fly ball rate and 24.1 homer-to-fly rate against righties are enticing against Colon, who allows lefties to lift the ball 45.8 percent of the time.
Second Base
Ozzie Albies, ATL vs. COL ($9): I'm content to run Albies out almost nightly as long as his price remains in the single digit territory. He had hit safely in five straight and six of seven entering Thursday, and his hard-hit rate of 37.5 percent against righties suggest there remains some upside at the dish. He's used his legs to stretch out extra bases but still has just one steal, a number that will grow before season's end as well.
Third Base
Pablo Sandoval, SF at ARI ($7): Arizona's Zack Greinke hasn't been himself in August, owning a 5.09 ERA over four starts, which includes a shutout of Houston two starts ago. He's allowed a .359 wOBA to lefties during that stretch, while Sandoval has suddenly enjoyed a quiet surge at the plate. He has four multi-hit games in his last six starts and has hit safely in 14 of 18 games since rejoining the Giants. His power is virtually gone, so there's limited upside, but Sandoval can offer a somewhat stable floor for the minimum tag.
Shortstop
Amed Rosario, NYM at WAS ($12): Rosario saw a six-game hitting streak snapped Thursday, but he still brings a .462 wOBA and 191 wRC+ against lefties into Friday's matchup against spot starter Matt Grace. Grace has allowed seven runs over 12.0 August innings and isn't likely to last beyond a season-high 4.1 innings he threw in his last start, which allows Rosario further opportunity against the Nats' beleaguered bullpen.
Outfield
Giancarlo Stanton, SD at MIA ($28): Even after seven shutout innings last time out against Washington, Padres starter Travis Wood has a 5.59 second-half ERA, a number that jumps to 7.66 on the road. A fly ball pitcher, Wood is allowing 51.3 percent of balls to be lifted away from Petco. Stanton's splits can go without mentioning, as the power prowess is obvious, but his 37.3 homer-to-fly ball rate at home gives particular optimism for a big fly Friday.
Billy Hamilton, CIN vs. PIT ($14): Hamilton owns a .343 wOBA at home against righties, the only time in four instances that number is north of .300. He's also stolen 32 of his 53 bases in that scenario and will have a chance to set the table against Ivan Nova, who has a 5.63 second-half ERA and is allowing lefties to post a .372 wOBA against him on the road.
Jason Heyward, CHC at PHI ($9): Heyward had five hits over two games prior to Thursday and has hit safely in four of his last six. He hasn't gone deep since July 29, so there's next to no upside, but at this price, a cool five to eight points should do the trick. He has a sound .375 wOBA and 130 wRC+ on the road against righties entering a matchup with the Phils' Jerad Eickhoff, who has a 4.12 second-half ERA.
