This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHERS:
Lance McCullers, Jr., HOU vs. SEA ($22,400):- McCullers has scored 25.30 and 26.85 fantasy points, respectively, in two starts versus the Mariners this season, and has allowed a 2.34 ERA, .205 average against and .267 wOBA in 42.1 home innings. Those numbers have led to him scoring no less than 22.85 fantasy points in all but one home start. Meanwhile, Seattle has an AL-low .265 wOBA in 143 road plate appearances versus right-handed pitching in July, along with a 26.7 percent hard contact rate.
German Marquez, COL vs. SD ($15,000):- Marquez will come in well-rested after having last pitched July 7 and will face a Padres team he racked up nine strikeouts against over just five innings back June 2. He's held his own at Coors Field, and held the Diamondbacks and White Sox to four earned runs over 13 innings in his last two starts there. Meanwhile, the Padres have struck out at a majors-high 31.6 percent clip and posted a .260 wOBA and NL-low 26.3 percent hard contact rate versus right-handed pitching on the road in the last month.
INFIELD
Carlos Correa, HOU vs. SEA ($10,400):- Mariners starter Ariel Miranda has been a different pitcher on the road, especially against right-handed hitters, who've tagged him for a .366 wOBA, 2.55 HR/9 and 6.48 xFIPaway from Safeco Field. Correa has a .457 wOBA, .237 ISO, 27.8 percent HR/FB rate and 42.4 percent hard contact rate versus southpaws, and a .556 wOBA, .429 ISO and 1.381 OPS in 42 plate appearances in July.
Anthony Rizzo, CHC at ATL ($9,200):- The one consistent hole in Braves starter Julio Teheran's game this season has been facing lefty hitters at SunTrust Park, where he's surrendered a .430 wOBA, 3.47 HR/9, 6.95 xFIP, 27.3 percent HR/FB rate and 37.8 percent hard contact rate to that handedness. Rizzo owns a .363 wOBA, .238 ISO and 31.3 percent hard contact versus right-handed pitching, despite being on the wrong side of luck with a .157 BABIP versus that handedness on the road. He's also compiled a .392 wOBA (including four homers), .350 ISO and 38.2 percent hard contact rate over his first 46 plate appearances of July, while the Braves bullpen has allowed a 6.43 ERA and given up a .329 wOBAto lefty hitters at home over the last month.
Eric Hosmer, KC vs. DET ($7,600):- Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann's up-and-down season includes a .465 wOBA, 3.22 HR/9, 30.4 percent line drive rate and 41.5 percent hard contact rate surrendered to left-handed hitters on the road. Hosmer has a .427 wOBA, .259 ISO, 29.1 percent line drive rate and 30.4 percent HR/FB rate against righties at Kauffmann Stadium, along with a .397 wOBA over 52 July plate appearances.
OUTFIELD
Charlie Blackmon, COL vs. SD ($10,800):- Blackmon returns home Monday, where he owns a .499 wOBA, .410 ISO and 1.237 OPS versus right-handed pitching, along with a 26.6 percent line drive rate, 29.0 percent HR/FB rate and 46.3 percent hard contact. Perdomo has struggled throughout the season against left-handed hitters, particularly on the road, where they've touched him up for a .455 wOBA, 5.47 xFIP and 37.0 percent hard contact rate. Blackmon also has a modestly successful history versus Perdomo consisting of a .300 average over 10 career plate appearances.
Ian Happ, CHC at ATL ($8,700):- The struggles of both Julio Teheran and the Braves bullpen versus left-handed hitters were discussed earlier, while Happ boasts a .365 wOBA and .276 ISO against right-handed pitching on the road, as well as a 28.2 percent HR/FB rate and 35.4 percent hard contact rate versus that handedness overall. He's been wielding a hot bat in July as well, as evidenced by a .389 wOBA and .302 ISO over 48 plate appearances.
Shin-Soo Choo, TEX at BAL ($7,600):- Choo owns a .340 wOBA and 26.4 percent line drive rate versus righties, along with a 43.2 percent hard contact rate against that handedness on the road. Meanwhile, Orioles starter Chris Tillman has yielded a .436 wOBA, 2.61 WHIP and 7.14 xFIP to left-handed hitters at home, while the Baltimore bullpen has allowed a 6.10 ERA and .388 wOBA to lefty bats at Camden Yards in the last month.
UTILITY
Edwin Encarnacion, CLE at SF ($8,400):- Encarnacion owns a .333 average
against Giants starter Matt Moore in 26 career plate appearances and a .389 wOBA, 20.8 percent HR/FB rate and 40.9 percent hard contact rate versus left-handed pitching. Moore has actually struggled more with lefty bats, but he's also given up 10 of his 15 homers on the season to right-handed hitters, along with a 35.8 percent hard contact rate.
Eric Thames, MIL at PIT ($8,400):- Thames has a .456 wOBA, .400 ISO, 1.117 OPS and 55.0 percent hard contact rate over his first 36 plate appearances of July, and he owns a .405 wOBA, .318 ISO, 25.4 percent HR/FB rate and 43.8 percent hard contact rate versus right-handed pitching on the season. Pirates starter Chad Kuhl has struggled against left-handed hitters all season, giving up a .388 wOBA, 5.47 xFIP and 35.2 percent hard contact rate to that handedness. Pittsburgh relievers haven't been much better, allowing a 5.50 ERA and .346 wOBA to lefty bats at PNC Park in the last month.
