This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Friday's 10-game evening slate features more than a few relievers and expensive bats, but we can find some much-needed respite in the form of a powerful hitter who comes in just under the minimum salary.
Pitchers
Carlos Rodon ($10,000) was initially scheduled to start Thursday before experiencing a bout of hamstring tightness, but the fact he is able to take the mound just two days later should allay fears concerning the injury. Rodon is in the middle of a staggering turnaround after a rocky 2020 season, heading into the contest having allowed just three runs (two earned) in 31 innings this year. Meanwhile, the Royals rate as a bottom-10 team against southpaws according to wOBA.
Domingo German ($7,900) has had trouble keeping the ball in the yard in 2021, but should have a bit more luck in this regard against the Orioles who have logged a .139 ISO against righty arms this year. The 28-year-old has found success with his slider this season (3.9 RAA) and Baltimore currently sits with the league's worst wOBA against orthodox hurlers (.278).
The D-Backs haven't been a walk in the park for any pitcher this season, but it's tough not to consider Joe Ross ($6,400) at this salary having notched at least 16.5 DraftKings points in four of six starts. It should also be noted the right-hander has been hard to hit on the road, as evidenced by the 1.23 ERA and .258 wOBA against opposing hitters across 22 frames.
Top Hitters
Jesse Winker's ($6,000) .655 slugging percentage would make him a target against a lot of right-handed pitchers, but we should have a special focus on him for the matchup against Jhoulys Chacin, who has allowed a .636 slugging percentage and .454 wOBA against lefty hitters.
Yordan Alvarez ($5,100) has been one of the most prolific power hitters over the past few seasons and the 23-year-old has started off 2021 in a similar fashion by logging a .306 ISO to go along with a .441 wOBA against righty pitchers in 62 at-bats. Dane Dunning has thrown the ball well overall this season, but has been a different pitcher away from Globe Life Field with a 5.11 ERA over 12 innings (55 batters faced).
Rhys Hoskins ($4,700) hasn't had the most consistent start to the campaign, but he has atoned for his struggles against righties by wearing out his opposite hand to the tune of a .319 ISO and .428 wOBA in 47 at-bats. Anthony Kay hasn't yet shown he's ready to face bats at this level with a 6.45 ERA across 44.2 career innings.
Bargain Bats
Kyle Schwarber ($3,600) may not be the same hitter he was with the Cubs, but the veteran has begun to show his power stroke against righties this season with a .208 ISO and 37 percent hard contact rate in 77 at-bats. Seth Frankoff threw the ball well in Korea in 2019, but frequently put up subpar peripheral numbers in the minors.
Luis Garcia has gotten his share of strikeouts, but the 24-year-old can't seem to figure out his opposite hand allowing a .578 slugging percentage and .391 wOBA to lefty hitters in 12 frames. While Willie Calhoun ($3,200) hasn't found his power stroke yet this year, he has been successful notching a .370 wOBA and a 40 percent hard contact rate over 63 at-bats when facing right-handers.
Andrew Vaughn's ($2,300) salary almost feels like an oversight in this spot, coming in at just over the minimum despite getting regular playing time and logging a .350 ISO against southpaws in 20 at-bats. Mike Minor's greatest struggles have come against same-handed opposition, though he has still allowed a 1.4 HR/9 rate against righties in 32 innings.
Stacks to Consider
Jhoulys Chacin vs. the Reds: Jesse Winker ($6,000), Tucker Barnhart ($4,700), Jonathan India ($4,100)
Chacin has done everything he can to earn his $3,900-dollar salary ahead of this contest having posted a 5.89 ERA from six relief appearances. Most of the Cincinnati hitters will cost a pretty penny at Coors Field, but India may be someone we can plug in for a bit of relief as he's tallied a .225 ISO on the road this year.
Seth Frankoff vs. the Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman ($4,100), Kyle Schwarber ($3,600), Josh Harrison ($3,300)
It's not often we can value-stack against an unheralded pitcher, but all these bats can potentially do damage against Frankoff as he's allowed seven runs across 4.2 career major league innings. The prize here is Zimmerman, who has managed a robust .324 ISO in 34 at-bats against right-handed pitchers.
