DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

PITCHER

Carlos Martinez, STL at CIN ($11,500): Before being shelled by the Cubs last time out, Martinez posted a 2.85 ERA,1.16 WHIP and 25.1 strikeout percentage through his previous eight starts. The Reds have been a middle-of-the-pack offense against righties most of the year, but Cincinnati has dipped to a targetable .298 wOBA against right-handed pitchers in September. This is a bounce-back spot for Martinez.

Jake Arrieta, CHC at MIL ($8,100): The RotoWire MLB Daily Lineup Optimizer is optimistic about Arrieta, and in particular, his 1.25 Trend Score is the highest in the pitcher pool. Arrieta is obviously returning from injury, but his salary is low, and the Brewers own a league-high 25.7 strikeout percentage against right-handed hurlers.

CATCHER

Jonathan Lucroy, COL at SD ($3,300): Opposing starter Clayton Richard has surrendered a .366 wOBA to right-handed hitters and also faced the Rockies in his most recent start. Lucroy enters with a discounted salary and the traditional handedness advantage. It's worth noting that the backstop hasn't fared well against lefties over the past three years with a .295 wOBA. This a rare hunch recommendation.

FIRST BASE

Lucas Duda, TB vs. BAL ($3,700):Gabriel Ynoa posted a 5.25 ERA with Triple-A Norfolk and has allowed a .353 wOBA to left-handed batters though his 42 innings in the majors over the past two seasons. The matchup sets up nicely for Duda, as the slugger sports a .309 ISO and .368 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this year.

SECOND BASE

Daniel Murphy, WAS at ATL ($4,900): The veteran second baseman boasts a high-end .938 OPS and.386 wOBA through against righties this season, and he lines up to face a reeling R.A. Dickey. The knuckleballer has allowed four runs or more in five of his past six starts for a 6.55 ERA.

THIRD BASE

Nick Castellanos, DET vs. MIN ($4,400):Adalberto Mejia has surrendered a .350 wOBA to right-handed hitters and is making just his second start since returning from a biceps injury. It's a good matchup to tee up Castellanos at a manageable salary, as the third baseman owns an impressive .952 OPS, 3.23 ISO and .394 wOBA this season.

SHORTSTOP

Trevor Story, COL at SD ($3,700): With a 1.002 OPS, .313 ISO and .413 wOBA against lefties on the road this season, Story's monster production against southpaws isn't strictly tied to Coors Field. As noted, this is a soft matchup against Clayton Richard, and Sotry's salary offers savings to spend up at other positions.

OUTFIELD

Josh Reddick, HOU vs. CWS ($4,100):Carson Fulmer has pitched well in consecutive starts, but a road game in Houston is a daunting test. Reddick is locked into the two-hole of the lineup and boasts a rock-solid .365 wOBA against right-handed hurlers this season.

Kyle Schwarber, CHC at MIL ($4,000): Since returning to the majors July 6, Schwarber has posted a .916 OPS, .318 ISO and .382 wOBA against right-handed pitchers. He's still a boom-or-bust flier, and Zach Davies has limited lefty bats to a .328 wOBA, so Schwarber's likely best viewed as a contrarian option.

Corey Dickerson, TB at BAL ($2,800): As noted, this is a soft matchup against Gabriel Ynoa, and Dickerson's salary offers tremendous cap relief. The outfielder has struggled significantly in the second half with a .241 BABIP and .271 wOBA against righties. That BABIP is unsustainably low alongside Dickeron's 34.2 hard-hit percentage, so chasing statistical correction sweetens his appeal as a low-priced flier.

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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