DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

PITCHER

Jacob deGrom, NYM vs. SDP ($12,100): With the wind blowing in at Citi Field against an already weak opponent, deGrom is close to a lineup lock to pluck from Thursday's underwhelming pitcher pool. The righty has fanned more batters this season with a 12.3 K/9 and 32.3 strikeout percentage, and the Frairs own a 27th-ranked .296 wOBA against right-handed hurlers to go along with a second-highest 24.4 strikeout percentage.

Eddie Butler, CHC vs. SFG ($5,700): With an afternoon tilt following a night game, who knows what the already injury-riddled San Francisco lineup will look like. Butler has turned in a gem and a dud through his first two starts of the season, but with a league-low .280 wOBA against righties, the Giants are a target-worthy matchup. Additionally, this salary opens up all kinds of spending room to stack the remainder of your lineup.

CATCHER

Cameron Rupp, PHI vs. COL ($3,200): Dating back to last season, Rupp has posted a 1.010 OPS, .306 ISO and .420 wOBA against lefties, and he lands in a cushy matchup against Tyler Anderson. The lefty has surrendered a .387 wOBA to right-handed hitters this season.

FIRST BASE

Josh Bell, PIT at ATL ($4,000): This is a target-worthy price and matchup for Bell. He's posted a solid .355 wOBA against right-handed hurlers dating back to last season, and the 24-year-old slugger is locked in the heart of the Pittsburgh lineup. Bartolo Colon has surrendered a .357 wOBA and 38.6 hard-hit percentage to lefty bats this season, too.

SECOND BASE

Jason Kipnis, CLE at CIN ($4,500): After posting a .353 wOBA against right-handed pitchers last season, Kipnis' current .283 mark for 2017 has plenty of positive regression ahead. With a favorable matchup against Tim Adleman (.372 wOBA allowed to lefty bats this year), Kipnis is in a ripe bounce-back spot setting the table atop the Cleveland lineup.

THIRD BASE

Maikel Franco, PHI vs. COL ($3,900): As noted, it's a cushy matchup for the Phillies against Tyler Anderson. The third baseman has struggled this season with a .282 wOBA, but the slump is also reflected in his salary. Additionally, Franco posted a .357 wOBA against southpaws last season, so the upside is there.

SHORTSTOP

Zack Cozart, CIN vs. CLE ($4,700): Over the past three years, Mike Clevinger has surrendered a .363 wOBA to right-handed batters, and his current 1.56 ERA is ripe to balloon. The shortstop has settled into a cushy fantasy gig batting second for Cincinnati, and Cozart owns a .414 on-base percentage and .401 wOBA against right-handed hurlers this year.

OUTFIELD

Michael Conforto, NYM vs. SDP ($5,100):Dinelson Lamet is making his first career start, and while he's flashed some upside with a 29.9 strikeout percentage at Triple-A - this season, he's also far from a polished product. Conforto enters with a monster 1.136 OPS, .354 ISO and .460 wOBA against righties this season, and he should have a few good looks leading off against the rookie.

J.D. Martinez, DET at HOU ($4,600): While currently scorching hot (.564 wOBA this season), Martinez also has an impressive track record against right-handed hurlers with a .909 OPS, .252 ISO and .384 wOBA since 2015. During the same timeframe, Mike Friers has surrendered a .353 wOBA to right-handed hitters, including a .467 mark this year.

Michael Brantley, CLE at CIN ($4,600): As noted, this is a soft matchup for Cleveland against Tim Adleman, and Brantley has proved he's back to being a rock-solid contributor from the heart of the order. The outfielder has posted a .391 on-base percentage and .389 wOBA against righties this season, after all.

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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