This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Monday's seven-game slate features several big arms that are difficult to pick against, which may open the door to heavy stacking as a viable strategy. Fortunately, there are a few mid-range options that can offer salary relief after we select a high-priced hurler for our first spot.
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Pitcher
Masahiro Tanaka, NYY vs. CWS ($9,500): Tanaka has featured one of the better sliders in the league this season (12.9 RAA) while the White Sox have registered the sixth lowest RAA against the offering. It is also worth noting that Chicago holds the second highest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season, which should allow Tanaka to use his 25 percent punchout rate to rack up points.
Cheap GPP Consideration, Jon Lester, CHC vs. NYM ($8,200) Lester has an excellent opportunity to exceed value against the Mets, who have logged the third lowest wOBA against left-handed pitching in the league in 2018 (.285). The veteran appears to be rounding into form after enduring a shaky stretch out of the All-Star break, allowing just one run with 11 strikeouts in 11.2 innings in his last two starts.
GPP Fade: Gerrit Cole, HOU vs. OAK ($12,000) Cole is having an outstanding season for the Astros but is a bit of a risky proposition as a high-priced DFS pitcher, as he has failed to put up at least 20 DraftKings points in five of his last 10 starts. The A's have logged top-10 marks in wOBA (.328) and ISO (.189) against right-handed pitching while striking out less than 22 percent of the time.
Catcher
Austin Romine, NYY vs. CWS ($3,400): Romine has shown consistent power against both righties and lefties this season, which has resulted in a .185 ISO in 211 at-bats. Opposing starter Carlos Rodon has done well for the White Sox but has only struck out 19 percent of the right-handed batters he has faced, which has contributed to a 5.10 xFIP in 68.1 innings.
First Base
Justin Smoak, TOR at BAL ($4,200): I have no qualms about calling David Hess an exploitable pitcher despite his dominance of the Blue Jays last week, as he has tallied a 6.14 ERA in 22 innings at home and has surrendered a .507 slugging percentage to left-handed hitters in 37.2 frames. Meanwhile, Smoak has logged a .244 ISO and a .369 wOBA against right-handed pitching in 111 games.
Second Base
DJ Lemahieu, COL at LAA (4,200): Unlike some of his teammates, Lemahieu seems to have no issue hitting away from Coors Field, as evidenced by the .215 ISO he has tallied in 181 at-bats on the road. Odrisamer Despaigne hasn't found much success at any level of professional baseball in 2018. He posted a 4.36 ERA at Triple-A New Orleans before logging a 6.35 ERA in time split between the Marlins and Angels.
Third Base
Maikel Franco, PHI vs. WAS ($3,900):Stephen Strasburg doesn't seem like a pitcher we should be selecting bats against but the flamethrower has had his issues against right-handed hitters in 2018, surrendering eight home runs and a .468 slugging percentage in 40 innings. Franco has struck out just 14.4 percent of the time against right-handed pitching while tallying a .227 ISO in 308 at-bats and could take advantage of Strasburg, who struggled in his lone start since coming off the disabled list.
Shortstop
Eduardo Escobar, ARI at SF ($4,200): Escobar has shown great power against right-handed pitching this season, logging a .274 ISO in 314 at-bats. Opposing starter Chris Stratton has allowed a .483 slugging percentage against righty batters and has struggled throwing the ball at home, posting a 6.09 ERA in 44.1 innings at AT&T Park.
Outfield
Marwin Gonzalez, HOU vs. OAK ($4,100): Gonzalez has found a new gear in August, as the 29-year-old has notched a tremendous .354 ISO and .445 wOBA in 82 at-bats this month. Brett Anderson has allowed a .497 slugging percentage to hitters away from The Coliseum and has struck out just 25 right-handed batters in 47 innings in 2018.
Kole Calhoun, LAA vs. COL ($3,400): Calhoun's incredible month of July was never going to be sustainable but he is still worth a look due to the .203 ISO he has logged against right-handed pitchers in 276 at-bats. Opposing starter Jon Gray has no shortage of upside but is capable of being hit, as evidenced by the .464 slugging percentage and 38 percent hard contact rate he has allowed against left-handed hitters.
Juan Soto, WAS at PHI ($4,400): Soto has been a bit better against lefties during his rookie campaign but is certainly no slouch versus his opposite hand, logging a .205 ISO and .386 wOBA in 219 at-bats. The power should play well against Zach Eflin, who has allowed a .521 slugging percentage against lefty batters in 41.1 innings.
