This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Pitcher
Lucas Giolito, CWS vs. SF ($8,300): There is still uncertainty surrounding Giolito due to the fact that he has made fewer than 10 career starts in the major leagues, but the 23-year-old has passed his early tests in 2017, having not allowed a run over his last two outings after a shaky season debut against the Twins in August. Giolito will enter the contest against the Giants sporting a 12.4 percent swinging strike rate and a 45 percent ground ball rate, while San Francisco holds the lowest wOBA in the league against right-handed pitching.
Mike Leake, SEA vs. LAA ($7,000): Leake has had one of the best cutters in the league (9.1 RAA) for most of the season. This should help him tremendously in the matchup against the Angels, who sport a bottom-5 RAA against the pitch. It is also worth noting that Leake will pit his heavy ground ball rate against a team that hits the ball on the ground at a 46.7 percent clip. While the right-hander may not carry the firepower of some of the other pitchers on the slate, he could be an excellent secondary option for those looking to spend up for Max Scherzer.
Catcher
Yan Gomes, CLE vs. BAL ($3,000): Gomes has struggled against same-handed hurlers but has notched a .255 ISO to go along with a .364 wOBA in 98 at-bats against lefties this season. Meanwhile, Wade Miley has allowed a .464 slugging percentage against his opposite hand while logging a 5.19 ERA over 76.1 innings on the road.
First Base
Matt Holliday, NYY at TEX ($3,900): Holliday hasn't slowed down against lefties in his age-37 season, as evidenced by his .236 ISO and 43.8 percent hard contact rate over 72 at-bats. This doesn't bode well for opposition starter Martin Perez, who has notched a 5.42 ERA over 91.1 innings at Globe Life Park in 2017.
Second Base
Robinson Cano, SEA vs. LAA ($4,600): Cano is hardly having a vintage season but is still getting the job done against righties, having tallied a .215 ISO over 254 at-bats. Ricky Nolasco has actually produced better results against lefties in his 28 starts, but below average strikeout and walk rates have contributed to a 5.12 xFIP over that span.
Third Base
Jose Reyes, NYM vs. CIN ($3,700): Injuries and trades have made it difficult to select anyone on the Mets, but we need to find at least one bat to target against Amir Garrett, who is back with the big club after posting a 5.72 ERA over 67.2 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett. Reyes has kept a respectable .189 ISO in 95 at-bats against lefties this season.
Shortstop
Zack Cozart, CIN at NYM ($4,500): Cozart will be a bat to reckon with in the opposing dugout, as he has notched a healthy .219 ISO against same-handed pitchers this season. Seth Lugo could be a pitcher to stack against, as he has not logged an ERA lower than 5.29 in either of the past two months and has begun September by allowing four runs over five innings in a start against the Astros.
Outfield
J.D. Martinez, ARI vs. SD ($5,500): Martinez's brilliance this season extends well beyond one four-homer game, as he has tallied a .363 ISO and a .406 wOBA in 353 at-bats. Jordan Lyles will be thrown into a difficult environment in his second start since being recalled to the big club, which will further test the 8.24 ERA he has registered in 19.2 innings on the road.
George Springer, HOU at OAK ($4,900):Jharel Cotton has allowed a 1.7 HR/9 rate against righties over 63.1 innings this season, which has contributed to a .506 slugging percentage. Springer has logged a 16.9 RAA against the fastball, as well as a .244 ISO against righties.
Nelson Cruz, SEA vs. LAA ($4,000): For those interested in a direct path to dominance against Nolasco, Cruz has notched a robust .268 ISO against righties and an 18.2 RAA against the fastball. This should make things difficult for the Angels hurler, who has allowed a .594 slugging percentage against right-handed hitters while registering an RAA of -19.0 with his heater.
