This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Alex Wood, LAD at ATL ($6,000): Let's start with the Braves and their 14 wRC+ and .187 wOBA against lefties this season. That's really, really bad and until they show some sort of ability to manufacture offense against lefties, targeting opposing lefties against them will be a fruitful investment. Wood isn't spectacular, but a career 20.19 percent K rate and 3.53 xFIP depict a very solid pitcher.
Logan Verrett, NYM at PHI ($5,600): There are a number of reasons to not use Verrett, most of which surround his inexperience and the great unknown of a young pitcher who has seen most of his MLB action out of the bullpen. In 54.2 MLB innings, Verrett has a 3.29 ERA and solid 8.3 percent K rate. Against the Marlins last week, Verrett had six K's in six scoreless innings, and on the season, the Marlins have a 92 wRC+ against righties (just below the average of 100), while the Phillies have a 75 wRC+ and 22.6 percent K rate.
CATCHER
Devin Mesoraco, CIN vs. COL ($2,900):> Since returning from an injury suffered last year, Mesoraco has not been good by any quantifiable state. Prior to the injury, however, Mesoraco had a wonderful year with 25 home runs, .387 wOBA and 146 wRC+ in 2014. Maybe the injury has taken a toll, maybe the 27-year-old won't return to that form, but I'd rather account some of his recent lack of success to a .167 BABIP despite his K rate plummeting down to just 12.5 percent. Another couple of weeks and I may have to let Mesoraco go, but against a southpaw who's given up a career .347 wOBA to righties while owning a career .361 wOBA himself against lefty throwers, I'll get my feet wet at least one more time.
FIRST BASE
Tyler White, HOU at TEX ($4,200): Picked 977th overall in the 2013 draft, White was always a long shot to make the majors. To have already hit four home runs, with a .357 ISO and .477 wOBA through 13 games, that transcends what White could've even dreamed about. The 25-year-old never hit more than 15 home runs in the minors, but as he progressed through the different levels he maintained great overall numbers, hitting for a .453 wOBA at his last stop in Triple-A last season. The sample size is obviously very small (just four plate appearances, in fact), but White has gotten a hit in 75 percent of his at-bats against lefties this season and that includes one of his 4 homers. Veteran southpaw Derek Holland has never been spectacular against righties (career .336 wOBA against), but maybe more importantly, this game has a nine-run over/under and Holland's xFIP over the last two seasons is now hovering around 4.5.
SECOND BASE
Jose Altuve, HOU at TEX ($5,200): I don't usually like to reach off the top shelf, but Altuve stands above everyone else at this position by such a large margin and is wholly affordable due to the discounts available at pitcher. Last season, Altuve hit for a .413 wOBA against lefties, and to start this season, Altuve has a .436 wOBA with a spectacular .314 ISO, despite a .308 BABIP (22 points below his career .330).
THIRD BASE
Nolan Arenado, COL at CIN ($4,700): There may have been a time when Simon was a competent starting pitcher, but a 4.78 xFIP last season and 5.38 xFIP in three appearances this year exemplify why those days are in the past. Taking Rockies outside of Coors can be risky business in terms of spouting off their often over-inflated stats, but staying in terms of wRC+ should help rectify this. Last season, Arenado managed a 131 wRC+ against right-handed throwers and this season has a total wRC+ of 161. The 25-year-old now has six home runs on the year, just two behind teammate Trevor Story, and should not be confused as anything but an elite talent.
SHORTSTOP
Carlos Correa, HOU at TEX ($4,600): A southpaw is at a great disadvantage against an already stacked Houston lineup, as he'll face right-handed batters 1-9. In his short time in the majors, Correa owns a .276 ISO, .382 wOBA and 145 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers.
OUTFIELD
Corey Dickerson, TBR at BOS ($3,700): Maybe his price gets suppressed as he gets platooned some, but Dickerson has done nothing but absolutely smash righties during his career, posting a .399 wOBA and 141 wRC+ in his career against righties. Despite going 0-for-8 against southpaws this year, he carries a .393 ISO, .427 wOBA and 193 wRC+ against righties.
George Springer, HOU at TEX ($4,600): Springer has a .379 wOBA and 160 wRC+ against southpaws this season, and a career .385 wOBA and 147 wRC+ against left-handed pitching. Despite a reputation for competence Derek Holland once garnered, his form has digressed and this righty-heavy Houston lineup is going to eat him up.
David Peralta, ARI at SFG ($3,300): Now an everyday outfielder with A.J. Pollock on the DL, Peralta is still really nothing but a specialist against right-handers. This season he has a .378 wOBA against righties but just .245 against lefties. Last season was much of the same, with a .397 wOBA against righties and .299 against lefties. Luckily, Peralta will face the right-handed Matt Cain, who gave up a .404 wOBA to left-handed batters last season and (small sample size altert) allowed a .436 this year.
