This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
A four-game main slate on Monday offers players plenty of firepower on offense, but those who wish to differentiate themselves may want to be creative with their fades and plays as far as pitching is concerned.
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Pitcher
Julio Teheran, ATL at SD ($9,800): Teheran has once again flexed his muscles on the road in 2018, where he has logged a 3.18 ERA while allowing just a .280 wOBA in 34 innings. Meanwhile, the Padres have been one of the worst offensive clubs against right-handed pitching this year, logging a .285 wOBA to go along with just a .121 ISO.
GPP Fade: Zack Godley, ARI at SF ($10,200): Godley put up 35.4 points in his only other meeting with the Giants this season but his high walk rate (11.2 percent) and his ineffective fastball (-4.5 RAA) should give prospective owners pause, particularly when we consider his five-figure salary. It's tough to completely fade anyone in a matchup against the Giants on such a small slate but passing on Godley may be a shrewd move that helps players gain leverage against the field.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Domingo German, NYY at DET ($8,700): German has been hit hard since his electric first start against the Indians but there are still reasons to like him against the Tigers, who have logged a bottom-10 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season. German will come into the contest sporting a 26.7 percent strikeout rate through 20.1 innings as a starter while having surrendered just a .300 wOBA to opposing offenses over that span.
Catcher
Kurt Suzuki, ATL at SD ($3,600): Suzuki has swung the bat well against left-handed pitching this season, as evidenced by the .263 ISO and .381 wOBA he has registered over 38 at-bats. Opposing starter Clayton Richard has allowed a .464 slugging percentage and a 41.5 percent hard contact rate against right-handed hitters in 57.2 innings.
First Base
Paul Goldschmidt, ARI at SF ($4,800): Goldschmidt has done his damage almost exclusively against left-handed pitching this season, tallying an otherworldly .436 ISO and .477 wOBA over 55 at-bats. Goldy's power and patience should play well against Derek Holland, who has walked 20 right-handed batters in 46 innings in 2018 while allowing a .517 slugging percentage over that span.
Second Base
Joe Panik, SF vs. ARI ($3,000): Panik may be overlooked due to his time spent on the disabled list but he will be hard to pass up at this price, as he has tallied a .404 wOBA and a 34 percent hard contact rate against right-handed hurlers over 56 at-bats this season. Panik has yet to hit for power but should still be a useful play against Godley, who has allowed a .357 OBP against lefty hitters.
Third Base
Jeimer Candelario, DET vs. NYY ($3,900): Those who wish to pivot away from German will want to look closely at Candelario, who has accumulated a 9.5 RAA against the fastball while notching a .230 ISO against right-handed pitching over 126 at-bats this year. German's heater has registered a -3.5 RAA and he has surrendered four homers to left-handed hitters in just 18.2 innings this year.
Shortstop
Dansby Swanson, ATL at SD ($3,500): Swanson is another cheap bat who may be able to do damage against Richard, as he has kept a .233 ISO against left-handed pitching in 30 at-bats. It should also be noted that Swanson has been effective against the fastball (6.0 RAA), a pitch Richard throws more than 68 percent of the time.
Outfield
Aaron Hicks, NYY at DET ($4,300): Hicks has hit the ball hard against right-handed pitchers this season, notching a 40 percent hard contact rate to go along with a .184 ISO in 103 at-bats. Opposing starter Mike Fiers has had trouble keeping the ball in the yard against his opposite hand in 2018, allowing seven home runs to lefties in just 23.2 innings.
Jorge Soler, KC at LAA ($4,000):Nick Tropeano has thrown the ball reasonably well this season but has maintained something of a reverse platoon split, allowing a 1.9 HR/9 rate and 11 walks against right-handed hitters over 24 innings. Soler has swung the bat better against lefties in 2018 but has still tallied a hard contact rate of 39.4 percent against same-handed hurlers while collecting a 10.0 RAA against the fastball.
Andrew McCutchen, SF vs. ARI ($3,700): McCutchen will carry a 47 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitchers into the matchup with Godley. He should also be able to do damage against Godley's fastball, as McCutchen has produced strong results against the heater this season (8.6 RAA).
