This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHER
Michael Fulmer, DET at KC ($19,800): I don't like either pitcher for the big favorites today (Dodgers, Giants) and Madison Bumgarner ($22,800) is overpriced. Fulmer has been better, reaching eight innings in three of his last four starts, and is a few thousand cheaper. The Royals are better right now than their full-season numbers indicate, but they still sport a .321 wOBA against righties since June 1 and got mowed down by Fulmer less than a month ago for 8.2 innings and seven strikeouts.
Cole Hamels, TEX at BAL ($18,000): With the way Hamels is pitching, I see no reason to use someone else at a higher price. Hamels has gone 7.2 innings in each of his last two starts, hile not allowing a run and just seven total hits. As for the Orioles, they aren't great against lefties with a .290 wOBA and one of the higher K% rates at 27.1.
INFIELD
Brandon Belt, SF vs. SD ($7,600): I'm suggesting a couple lefties against Jhoulys Chacin, starting with Belt. He has a .371 wOBA and .249 ISO against righties and faces one that is having trouble against lefties. Chacin has allowed a .371 wOBA and 5.38 xFIP to lefties to go with a 15.6 K%, which is almost 10 points lower compared to righties.
Mike Napoli, TEX at BAL ($7,800): Wednesday was a good matchup for the Rangers and they scored two runs, but going against Wade Miley should be better. The lefty hasn't had a quality start since June 1 and has allowed 15 runs and 24 hits in his last three starts. Napoli has a solid .344 wOBA and .339 ISO against lefties, and Miley struggles the most against righties with a .385 wOBA allowed.
Didi Gregorius, NYY at SEA ($7,600):Felix Hernandez hasn't completely returned to form yet, having not gone more than six innings in his last six starts. Gregorius is my choice for the Yankees, who has better numbers against righties since the beginning of June with a .391 wOBA and .281 ISO. Hernandez has similar numbers against both sides of the plate, but has a worse .376 wOBA and 18.1 K% against lefties.
OUTFIELD
Denard Span, SF vs. SD ($6,800): Span has been even better against righties since June 1 with a .386 wOBA and minimal 12.1 K%. Span doubled off Chacin last week and I expect another solid outing for him and the Giants. Chacin went six innings and got the win but allowed three runs and walked four.
Joc Pederson, LAD vs. ATL ($7,600): Using lefties against Mike Foltynewicz has been a solid strategy due to his .375 wOBA allowed and 5.31 xFIP. Pederson comes at a surprisingly cheap price considering he has a .455 wOBA and .357 ISO against righties in his last 85 at-bats.
Delino DeShields Jr., TEX at BAL ($7,500): Here's another righty to use against Miley, with DeShields having a wOBA at .385 and ISO at .200 in his last 34 at-bats against lefties. A higher K% (38.2) isn't as big of a worry due to Miley's smaller 18.3 K% against righties. Throw in Miley's 18 strikeouts in his last five starts and DeShields is in a good spot.
UTILITY
Matt Adams, ATL at LAD ($7,800): The Dodgers are large favorites, but it's not like Brandon McCarthy is going to carve through the Braves. He hasn't made it five innings in two of his last three starts and has allowed nine runs with six strikeouts in that period. Adams continues to show his stuff against righties with a .385 wOBA and .273 ISO this season, and those jump to .416 and .324 since June 1.
Justin Upton, DET at KC ($8,400): I've been all over Upton on his run and I think that'll continue against Danny Duffy. After last night, Upton's had four multi-hit outings in six games since the All-Star break. He has a .383 wOBA against lefties and that number is at .428 in his last 37 at-bats. In two starts against the Tigers last September, Duffy allowed 10 runs with Upton going 4-of-5 with two homers and a double.
