This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Monday's slate features two starting pitchers who have clearly separated themselves from the rest of the field. While paying up for either of could make for some difficult roster decisions, there are enough value bats on the slate to ease the burden.
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Pitcher
Corey Kluber, CLE at TB ($11,100): The fact that Kluber is only two starts removed from putting up 33.4 DraftKings points against the Rays at home may be justification enough for some to play him Monday but those who rely on more concrete stats will note that Tampa Bay carries the sixth lowest RAA in the league against the cutter. Meanwhile, Kluber's offering has yielded the highest mark among qualified pitchers by a wide margin (17.7 RAA).
Cheap GPP Consideration, Sean Newcomb, ATL at SF ($7,300): Newcomb has come back to earth a bit after a brilliant start to the season but should still have plenty to offer against the Giants, who rate as a bottom-5 team against left-handed pitching according to wOBA. The 25-year-old has excelled away from SunTrust Park this year, allowing a .294 wOBA with a 25.7 percent strikeout rate on the road.
GPP Fade, German Marquez, COL vs. ARI ($9,000): Marquez's price puzzles me a bit, as the right-hander owns a 5.50 ERA in 75.1 innings at Coors Field. He has allowed a .361 wOBA over that span. While his big strikeout numbers could make him worth a look in certain contexts, the price is simply too high to consider in an environment that has given Marquez trouble all season.
Catcher
Jose Briceno, LAA vs. TEX ($2,900): Briceno makes for a nice value play against lefty pitchers due to the .231 ISO and .390 wOBA he has tallied in 39 at-bats. The proposition is only made more intriguing by his opponent, as Mike Minor has surrendered 18 homers to right-handed batters in 116.1 innings in 2018.
First Base
Ryan O'Hearn, KC vs. CWS ($4,100): O'Hearn has posted some eye-popping numbers against his opposite hand in 2018, notching a .448 ISO and a .520 wOBA in 67 at-bats. It is almost a given that those numbers will not sustain for long but the rookie has shown big power at certain levels in the minor leagues as well, making him someone to target against Lucas Giolito and the 6.01 xFIP he has logged against left-handed hitters in 77.1 innings.
Second Base
Asdrubal Cabrera, PHI vs. WAS ($4,400): Cabrera has quietly been a force against right-handed pitching this year, as evidenced by the .242 ISO and .357 wOBA he has tallied in .364 at-bats. Opposing starter Erick Fedde has been hit hard by both sides of the platoon in 2018, which includes surrendering a .491 slugging percentage to left-handed hitters in 14.2 innings.
Third Base
Kris Bryant, CHC vs MIL ($4,300): Opposing starter Wade Miley has thrown the ball well this season but it is hard to pass up the opportunity to play Bryant against a left-handed pitcher, as he has tallied a .388 ISO and a .467 wOBA against his opposite hand in 67 at-bats. It is also worth noting that Bryant has registered a 12.3 RAA against the fastball, while Miley's heater has yielded -4.0 RAA.
Shortstop
Eduardo Escobar, ARI at COL ($4,300): Escobar has come to life since being acquired from the Twins earlier this season, as his slugging percentage is 70 points higher (.488) in 134 at-bats with the new club. We mentioned Marquez's issues with Coors Field above, which should make Escobar a tempting power bat that can be used in a stack situation.
Outfield
Ryan Braun, MIL at CHC ($4,000): Braun may not be the perennial MVP candidate he was in his younger years but the veteran can still smash left-handed pitching, as we can see from the .281 ISO he has logged against southpaws in 114 at-bats this year. Meanwhile, opposing starter Jon Lester owns a 4.60 xFIP in 125 innings against right-handed hitters in 2018.
Corey Dickerson, PIT at STL ($3,600): Those looking for a cheap option in the outfield may want to consider Dickerson, who has notched a solid .187 ISO against right-handed pitchers this year. Dickerson could be used as part of a low-end stack against Adam Wainwright, who is returning to the mound after missing nearly four months due to an elbow injury. He tallied a 5.63 xFIP in four starts prior to his trip to the disabled list.
Daniel Palka, CWS at KC ($3,800): Palka's power has been on display against righty hurlers this season, as he has logged a .257 ISO against them in 296 at-bats. Opposing starter Jakob Junis is a pitcher who can be exploited by both righty and lefty hitters. He has allowed a .446 slugging percentage to both sides of the platoon.
