This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Most mid-range and value pitching plays leave something to be desired Monday, but those who are willing to dig deep should find themselves with cash left over to stack offense against two extremely vulnerable young hurlers.
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Pitcher
Jacob deGrom, NYM vs. SD ($12,200) deGrom had his start against the Yankees rained out Sunday, affording him the opportunity to slide into a much more favorable matchup against the Padres, who hold the lowest wOBA in the league against right-handed pitching (.287). deGrom has the skillset to make easy work of the Friars, as he has tallied a microscopic 1.68 ERA with a 46.6 percent groundball rate and 149 strikeouts in 123.1 innings this season.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Francisco Liriano, DET at KC ($6,600) There aren't many value pitchers on the docket who have achieved a great deal of success this season but I'm going with Liriano due to the fact that the Royals are a bottom-10 team against left-handers according to wOBA. It is also worth noting that Liriano has registered an 8.9 RAA with his slider, while Kansas City has logged the second lowest RAA in the league against the pitch.
GPP Fade: Zach Eflin, PHI vs. LAD ($9,300) Eflin has been terrific for the Phillies this season but has had an issue with left-handed hitters, allowing a .446 slugging percentage against his opposite hand in 30 innings. This may prove to be bad news against the Dodgers, who have notched the fourth-highest ISO against righty pitching (.192). Combine this with a strikeout rate that ranks among the bottom half of the league (21.7 percent) and Eflin begins to look like a risky play without much upside at this price.
Catcher
Omar Narvaez, CWS at LAA ($3,200) Navarez has hit his way into the role of Chicago's starting catcher, having slugged .618 since June 1 (76 at-bats). Jaime Barria has done well against lefties overall this season but has allowed seven homers and 10 doubles in his last 35.2 innings (seven starts).
First Base
Ronald Guzman, TEX vs. OAK ($4,100) Guzman is a rare lefty who has shown tremendous power against left-handed pitching in 2018, logging a .220 ISO in 50 at-bats. Meanwhile, opposing starter Brett Anderson has been hammered in 23.2 innings this season, compiling a 6.08 ERA over that span.
Second Base
Yangervis Solarte, TOR vs. MIN ($3,400) Solarte has been a more consistent hitter against right-handers this season but has really found his power stroke against lefties, notching a .242 ISO in 128 at-bats. Adalberto Mejia has only spent four innings with the big club so far this year but a low strikeout rate combined with a penchant for walks contributed to a 5.28 xFIP against right-handed hitters in 81.1 innings during the 2017 season.
Third Base
Jeimer Candelario, DET at KC ($4,000) Candelario has hit just above the Mendoza Line against right-handed pitchers this season (.209) but still possesses a .209 ISO against opposite-handed hurlers in 220 at-bats. Heath Fillmyer struggled to the tune of a 5.75 ERA at Triple-A Omaha this season and has logged a 5.36 xFIP in five games (one start) with the big club.
Shortstop
Johan Camargo, ATL at MIA ($3,600) Opposing starter Jose Urena has posted a strikeout rate below 17 percent against left-handed hitters this season while allowing a 44.2 percent hard contact rate in 53.2 innings. This could bode well for Camargo, who has notched a 40.2 percent hard contact rate against righty pitchers while also registering a 5.4 RAA against the fastball.
Outfield
David Peralta, ARI at CHC ($4,800) Luke Farrell should be on the radars of DFS players as a potential stack target, as he has had issues with the free pass and the long ball throughout his professional career. This includes 24 walks and eight homers surrendered in 41 major league innings. Players who go this route may want to start their stack with Peralta, who has logged a .244 ISO and a .395 wOBA against right-handed pitching in 2018.
Kole Calhoun, LAA vs. CWS ($3,600) Calhoun struggled mightily at the plate to begin the season but warmed up with the summer months and is now slugging a ridiculous .755 in 53 at-bats during July. Lucas Giolito has walked more left-handed batters (36) than he has struck out (23) this season, which has contributed to a bloated 7.10 xFIP in 51 frames.
Brian Anderson, MIA vs. ATL ($4,100) One of the few bright spots for the Marlins' offense this season, Anderson has done his best work against left-handed pitching, tallying a .183 ISO and a 45.4 percent hard contact rate in 104 at-bats. Opposing hurler Sean Newcomb was dominant through most of the first half of the year but has hit a major stumbling block in July, when he has surrendered a .532 slugging percentage in 12 innings (three starts).
