This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
Friday's slate at FantasyDraft has more than $16,000 in guaranteed contests up for grabs. Below, we'll help identify players who can help you earn a piece of that pie.
For those unfamiliar with FantasyDraft's MLB product, click through for the scoring/rules and available contest types.
FantasyDraft's roster construction is as follows: two pitchers, three infielders (can be anyone listed as a catcher, first base, second base, third base or shortstop), three outfielders and two utility spots.
FantasyDraft offers contests at a benefit to players by placing a multi-entry cap on tournaments. This allows just a few lineups per player to be entered, making for a more level playing field in terms of how many entries one player owns.
There are six big tournaments on FantasyDraft for Friday's slate:
• $4,000 Called Up - $25 Entry
• $2,400 Brushback - $12 Entry
• $2,500 Line Drive - $5 Entry
• $1,500 Slider - $3 Entry
• $1,000 Two Seamer - $2 Entry
• $500 Ace - $1 Entry
There is a larger payout zone on FantasyDraft, meaning you have an even better chance of cashing. In the $5 tournament, 139 entries are paid out. That is 25 percent of the total field, or five percent higher than most tournaments pay. There has been some overlay on FantasyDraft, so be sure to get into those tournaments for a higher chance of cashing.
Each week, RotoWire will provide picks and analysis for players to target on FantasyDraft for your DFS MLB lineups.
PITCHER
Value Play
Aaron Nola, PHI, $12,000
With all the expensive pitchers in Friday's slate, a cheap pitcher will be under-owned and vastly undervalued. Nola is incredibly cheap given the circumstances, especially in tournaments as he will allow you to fit more expensive bats. Nola faces the Padres, who are hitting .244 against right-handed pitching this season. San Diego has the fourth-lowest wOBA in baseball against righties, and the game is in one of the biggest ballparks in the MLB. Nola's only struggle has been with home runs -- four four allowed already. But this is not a worry for Friday, as Petco Park is notorious for holding long fly balls. Nola has 15 strikeouts in 18.2 innings, and the Padres have struck out the fifth-most in baseball against right-handed pitching. All the stars are aligning for the Phillies hurler.
Top Play
Jacob deGrom, NYM, $23,600
With all the aces pitching, it is tough to choose just one. DeGrom has the best matchup, among other factors, so he is the choice for SP1. The $1,600 difference between him and Clayton Kershaw seems miniscule, but that $1,600 is the difference between Mike Trout and Ben Zobrist. With that in mind, deGrom and a player like Trout makes deGrom the top play over Kershaw or the other more expensive aces. DeGrom's matchup is against the Tampa Bay Rays, who possess one of the worst offenses in baseball against right-handed pitching. The Rays strike out the third-most often, have the sixth-lowest wOBA and the second-lowest ISO against righties this season. With his ability, matchup, the favorable pitcher's park in Tropicana and the likelihood for strikeouts, deGrom is the top pitcher on the slate.
INFIELD
Value Play
Kendrys Morales, KC, $7,600
Morales faceS John Danks, who is an excellent study. Danks has dealt a few gems, has been shelled a few times and everything in between. For Morales' sake, the former is likely to happen in this given matchup. So far this season, Danks has allowed righties to hit .308 and slug .513. The switch-hitting Morales will hit right-handed, which is his better side. As a righty, Morales is ironically hitting .308. Given his price, his lineup spot in the middle of the order and his matchup, Morales is an excellent value play.
Top Play
Matt Carpenter, STL, $9,600
Despite Carpenter's reputation for not being a power guy, his numbers against right-handed pitching are incredible. He possesses a wOBA of .378 and an ISO of .209. That means he is second on the Cardinals in power against right-handed pitching, and he has shown why with five home runs in the last week. Carpenter faces right-handed Tyler Cravy, who is making his third start for the Brewers. In a very limited sample size, lefties are hitting just .217 against him. But considering that sample is only 26 batters faced, it is nothing to worry about for the Cardinals' leadoff hitter. Cravy allowed a lot of base runners in the minor leagues. Carpenter is always a solid cash game play, but with his recent power surge, he is worth playing in tournaments, as well.
OUTFIELD
Value Play
David Peralta, ARI, $6,800
Peralta and the Diamondbacks face off against Raisel Iglesias, which makes for an excellent matchup for Arizona's cleanup hitter. This season, the left-handed hitting Peralta has a .520 slugging percentage against right-handed pitching. He has a .371 wOBA (weighted on-base average) and a .234 ISO rating (isolated power), which are both top-tier split numbers. His opponent, Iglesias, has struggled mightily against left-handed batters. He has allowed them to hit .347 with a wOBA of .382. Only Welington Castillo and Paul Goldschmidt have better numbers against right-handed pitching for the Diamondbacks this season.
Top Play
J.D. Martinez, DET, $10,000
Martinez is one of the most expensive players on FantasyDraft, but is worth paying for Friday given his matchup. Martinez faces Joe Kelly, a right-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. This season, Kelly has allowed opposing right-handed hitters to bat .306 and slug .474 for a wOBA of .374. He has given up seven home runs in 40 innings to righties. Martinez has been incredible against right-handed pitchers this season, as he owns a wOBA of .389 and an ISO of .282, which are among the highest in baseball. Martinez has the potential to be one of the top plays Friday night, and is worth the price if you can afford him.
