This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHERS:
Max Scherzer, WAS vs. PHI ($25,800):- Before exiting his last start against the Brewers with a calf bruise, Scherzer had racked up nine, 10 and 10 strikeouts in his previous three starts, all of them coming at home. He's scored between 25.55 and 32.95 fantasy points in his last four home starts as well, and while the Phillies have hit righties well as of late, Scherzer checks in as a clear-cut top option in a slate with plenty of questions at pitcher.
Luke Weaver, STL vs. PIT ($16,400):- Weaver has scored between 27.35 and 36.75 fantasy points in his last three starts, and he owns a 2.40 ERA, .204 BAA and .253 wOBA allowed at Busch Stadium this season. The Pirates have also scuffled against righties on the road recently, posting a .287 wOBA and 25.0 percent strikeout rate over the last 21 days.
INFIELD
Jake Lamb, ARI vs. SD ($9,000):- Padres starter Jordan Lyles has allowed a .424 wOBA, 2.45 HR/9, 26.1 percent HR/FB rate and 42.5 percent hard contact rate to left-handed hitters. Lamb checks in with a .391 wOBA, .272 ISO, 25.0 wRAA and 36.7 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching, and a .425 wOBA against the four-seam fastball, a pitch that Lyles yields a .448 wOBA on when throwing.
Eduardo Escobar, MIN at KC ($7,600):- The switch-hitting Escobar boasts a .421 average, two homers and five RBI over 20 plate appearances against Royals starter Ian Kennedy, who's allowed a .399 wOBA (including nine homers) to left-handed hitters at home. Escobar boasts a .449 wOBA, .542 ISO and 41.2 percent hard contact rate over his first 24 plate appearances of September, while Royals relievers have a 5.40 ERA and have allowed a .363 wOBA to lefty bats at home in the last 21 days.
Yan Gomes, CLE vs. BAL ($6,000):- Gomes is always a cost-savings option when a lefty is on the mound, and an especially appealing one against Orioles starter Wade Miley, who's allowed a .363 wOBA (including 19 homers) to right-handed hitters. Gomes boasts a .368 wOBA and .258 ISO versus southpaws, along with a 30.0 percent HR/FB rate and 41.7 percent hard contact rate against them at home.
OUTFIELD
Mike Trout, LAA at SEA ($10,800):- Trout's body of work against righties includes a .466 wOBA, .368 ISO, 26.9 percent HR/FB rate and 40.1 percent hard contact rate. Mariners starter Mike Leake was impressive in his Mariners debut, but he did allow a .404 wOBA and generated an 8.88 ERA in five August starts with the Cardinals. Meanwhile, Trout owns a .514 wOBA against Leake's bread-and-butter pitch, the sinker, while Mariners relievers have a 5.02 ERA and have allowed a .340 wOBA against right-handed hitters at home in the last 21 days.
Mookie Betts, BOS vs. TB ($9,600):- Betts boasts a .379 average, including three homers, against Rays starter Chris Archer in 37 career plate appearances, striking out only twice against the hard-throwing righty over that span. He sports a .323 wOBA and 35.0 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching overall, while Archer has given up 12 homers and a 36.3 percent hard contact rate to righty bats.
Nelson Cruz, SEA vs. LAA ($7,600):- Cruz makes for an excellent play against the home run-prone Ricky Nolasco, who's now surrendered 22 homers to righty bats, along with a .425 wOBA, 34.2 percent HR/FB rate and 42.5 percent hard contact rate when facing them on the road. Cruz also boasts a .515 wOBA against the sinker, a pitch that Nolasco throws most often and allows a .403 wOBA with. Finally, Cruz also owns a .440 average, including four homers, versus Nolasco in 26 plate appearances.
UTILITY
David Peralta, ARI vs. SD ($7,500):- The struggles of Padres starter Jordan Lyles against left-handed hitters were detailed earlier, while Peralta owns a .393 wOBA, .242 ISO and 40.0 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching at Chase Field. He also sports a .385 wOBA against the four-seam fastball, while Lyles' ineffectiveness with the pitch was detailed earlier.
Max Kepler, MIN at KC ($7,200):- Kepler boasts a .360 wOBA and 36.4 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching, while Royals starter Ian Kennedy's struggles – as well as those of Royals' relievers -- versus that handedness at home were detailed earlier. Kepler also owns a .351 wOBA against Kennedy's most frequently used pitch, the four-seam fastball.
