DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

PITCHER

Jake Arrieta, CHC at MIA ($8,800): The range of outcomes has been wide for Arrieta this season, but he's flashed the same high-end upside of his dominant stretch from 2015 through early 2016. Additionally, Arrieta's 10.0 K/9 and 25.7 strikeout percentage highlight his ability to pad his point total in a hurry. Miami owns a middle-of-the-road .318 wOBA against righties this season and are ripe for a letdown coming off a divisional series against Washington. Arrieta's salary is also manageable.

Jaime Garcia, ATL vs. SFG ($7,500): Before allowing six runs in his previous start, Garcia owned a 3.16 ERA with a 56.7 groundball rate while holing opponents to a .259 BABIP. His smoke-and-mirrors pitch arsenal can keep hitters off balance, and the Giants enter with a target-worthy .288 wOBA against southpaws. This sets up as a nice spot for Garcia to bounce back and return value on his modest cap hit.

CATCHER

Brian McCann, HOU at OAK ($3,800): While the backstop's .325 wOBA and 37.2 hard-hit percentage against righties this season don't pop off the page, McCann's in the midst of a heater and has a high floor because of his placement in the heart of the league's best offense. McCann has posted a 1.042 OPS with four homers, 12 RBI and 12 runs through his past 13 games. Jesse Hahn has also allowed a .374 wOBA to left-handed hitters dating back to last season.

FIRST BASE

Matt Carpenter, STL at PHI ($4,700):Aaron Nola has surrendered .375 on-base percentage and .358 wOBA to left-handed hitters this season, so this is a great matchup for Carpenter. The second baseman owns a .392 OBP, .258 ISO and .389 wOBA against righties, and he's also settled back into the leadoff spot.

SECOND BASE

Starlin Castro, NYY vs. LAA ($4,500):Jesse Chavez has been hammered by right-handed hitters this season to the tune of a .557 slugging percentage and .371 wOBA. Castro enters with a .376 wOBA against right-handed arms this season, and he boasts a high floor. His 90 hits rank fifth in the majors this season, after all.

THIRD BASE

Kris Bryant, CHC at MIA ($4,900): With just a single multi-hit showing through his past 13 games, Bryant is in a prime buy-low spot. He sports an incredible 1.089 OPS, .327 ISO and .449 wOBA against southpaws over the past two years, and Jeff Locke has surrendered a .356 wOBA to right-handed hitters during the same timeframe.

SHORTSTOP

Franciso Lindor, CLE at BAL ($4,600):Wade Miley has allowed a .357 wOBA to right-handed hitters over the past two seasons, and he's also surrendered 16 runs through 10.2 innings in his last three starts. Lindor enters with a rock-solid .235 ISO and .364 wOBA against southpaws and has been locked into the leadoff spot of late.

OUTFIELD

Ian Happ, CHC at MIA ($4,300): Another option to consider against Jeff Locke, Happ owns huge upside and carries a manageable cap hit. Happ has five homers through his past eight games and sports a monster .357 ISO against southpaws this season. It's also worth noting that he's eligible as a second baseman at DraftKings.

Avisail Garcia, CWS at MIN ($3,900): The White Sox face rookie lefty Nik Turley, and Garcia has posted huge numbers against southpaws this season (1.118 OPS and .470 wOBA). Considering the outfielder's numbers, Garcia's salary jumps off the page. Turley has allowed 12 runs through just 8.2 innings through his first two starts, too.

Daniel Robertson, CLE at BAL ($2,900): A low-priced flier to open up cap space, Robertson has been batting second against southpaws of late and sports a respectable .340 on-base percentage and .324 wOBA against lefties this year. However, as noted, it's a solid matchup against Wade Miley.

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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