DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

PITCHER

Zack Greinke, ARI vs. PIT ($10,800): After a disastrous 2016 campaign, Greinke has bounced back to start the year and boasts a rock-solid 3.21 FIP and 26.3 strikeout percentage. Not only do the Pirates own a target-worthy .297 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season, but they've also scored just 18 runs through their past eight games. Chase Field isn't an ideal pitching environment, but this is also a shallow pitcher pool.

J.C. Ramirez, LAA vs. DET ($6,800): A potential contrarian flier, Ramirez has been sharp through his past four starts with a 2.28 ERA (2.31 FIP) and 10.3 K/9. His fastball is clocking in above 95 mph, and his swinging strike percentage (10.3) and first-strike percentage (61.3) both suggest he can continue to succeed. The Tigers have a strong lineup, so Ramirez is far from a risk-free option, but that's also baked into the price.

CATCHER

Robinson Chirinos, TEX vs. SD ($3,200): The backstop has started all but two of Martin Perez's seven starts, including each of the past three, so there's a good chance Chirinos starts Thursday. He's also posted an impressive .372 wOBA against left-handed pitchers dating back to the 2015 campaign, and lands in a soft matchup with Clayton Richard having allowed a .366 mark during the same timeframe to right-handed hitters.

FIRST BASE

Brandon Belt, SFG vs. CIN ($3,700): The wind is projected to be howling out at AT&T Park, and Belt sports a .370 wOBA against right-handed hurlers dating back to last season. Bronson Arroyo has also allowed 2.08 HR/9 and sports a 5.56 FIP for the campaign.

SECOND BASE

Brian Dozier, MIN at CWS ($4,600): Since the beginning of last season, Dozier has tuned up lefties with a .290 ISO and a .377 wOBA. The matchup isn't ideal with Derek Holland holding righties to a .340 wOBA over the past three years, but Comerica Park is a favorable hitting environment, and Holland's 6.4 HR/FB rate is unsustainably low.

THIRD BASE

Nolan Arenado, COL vs. LAD ($5,300): Through 42 plate appearances against lefties this season, Arenado owns a .550 ISO and .610 wOBA. The significance outweighs the size of the sample, and considering he posted .318 and .429 marks at home against southpaws last year, it isn't like the dominance is out of nowhere. All said, Arenado is always a strong option at Coors Field, and Hyun-Jin Ryu has also allowed a .352 wOBA to right-handed hitters this season.

SHORTSTOP

Zack Cozart, CIN at SFG ($3,700): As noted, AT&T Park could be playing smaller with the favorable wind conditions, and Cozart has fared well against lefties dating back to last season with a .238 ISO. With Tyler Blach allowing a .359 wOBA to right-handed hitters, Cozart checks out as a nice value option at the 6.

OUTFIELD

Franklin Gutierrez, LAD at COL ($4,500):Tyler Anderson has been a mess this season and has allowed a .398 wOBA to right-handed hitters, so this is a strong spot to dial up Gutierrez. The veteran outfielder grabs the Coors Field boost, and he sports a .391 wOBA against southpaws over the past three years.

Adam Duvall, CIN at SFG ($4,000): Another Red to consider against Tyler Blach, Duvall has posted a .297 ISO and .369 wOBA against lefties dating back to last year. He hits in the heart of the clicking Cinncy lineup, which also helps his upside to pad his point total with runs and RBI.

Hunter Renfroe, SD at TEX ($3,700): A source of cap relief to consider, Renfroe has shown nice upside against lefties with a .371 wOBA during his career. With Martin Perez allowing a 36.5 hard-hit percentage to right-handed hitters this season, and Globe Life Park in Arlington a hitter-friendly venue, Renfroe has a lot going for him.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Neil Parker plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: naparker77, DraftKings: naparker77.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil Parker
Neil is a former RotoWire contributor. A loyal Cubs, Cowboys and Maple Leafs fan for decades, Neil had contributed to RotoWire since 2014. He previously worked for USA Today Fantasy Sports.
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