DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

PITCHER

Jon Lester, CHC at CHW ($11,900): The southpaw has posted consecutive solid outings out of the All-Star break, including a 10-strikeout showing in his last start. As the clear-cut No. 1 pitching option, Lester projects to be popular. However, with just 10 choices in the shallow pitching pool, paying up is a solid starting point for lineups. It is worth noting that the White Sox own a rock-solid .333 wOBA against lefties, though.

Luke Weaver, STL vs. ARI ($6,400): The 23-year-old righty dominated with 1.91 ERA and 9.4 K/9 with Triple-A Memphis, so the touted prospect is worth a look at this salary. The Diamondbacks are a potentially daunting opponent, but they've also been slipping in July with a .323 wOBA and 26.0 strikeout percentage. Additionally, Arizona's wOBA dips 56 points on the road.

CATCHER

Wilson Ramos, TB at NYY ($3,000): The backstop doesn't have a great matchup with CC Sabathia holding right-handed hitters to a .300 wOBA, but in a shallow catcher pool, Ramos presents upside at his salary. He owns an impressive .300 ISO and .410 wOBA against southpaws dating back to last season.

FIRST BASE

Anthony Rizzo, CHC at CHW ($5,300): A date with Mike Pelfrey sets up perfectly for Rizzo. The first baseman boasts a .385 wOBA against righties over the past three years, and Pelfrey has served up a .377 mark during the same timeframe.

SECOND BASE

Paul DeJong, STL vs. ARI ($3,800): In a shallow player pool, DeJong is a potential low-priced flier in good form. He's homered in four of his past five games and boasts upside with a .553 slugging percentage and .273 ISO against right-handed hurlers this year. It's worth noting that it isn't the best matchup with Zack Godley holding right-handed hitters to a .244 wOBA this season.

THIRD BASE

Eugenio Suarez, CIN at MIA ($3,900): This is a juicy matchup for Suarez, and his salary is a clear discount. Chris O'Grady is making just his four start in the majors and has surrendered a 2.1 HR/9, .417 wOBA and 40.7 hard-hit percentage to right-handed hitters, and Suarez enters with a .404 on-base percentage and .389 wOBA against southpaws.

SHORTSTOP

Jose Reyes, NYM at SD ($3,700):Luis Perdomo has struggled against left-handed hitters all season and surrendered a .379 wOBA, so this is a ripe matchup for Reyes. While the veteran shortstop sports an underwhelming .276 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season, he boasts an encouraging .365 mark in July.

OUTFIELD

Giancarlo Stanton, MIA vs. CIN ($5,700): With 12 homers, 20 RBI and 20 runs through his past 17 games, Stanton is locked in at the dish and sports a .304 ISO and .390 wOBA against right-handed pitchers for the year. Robert Stephenson has served up a 2.8 HR/9 and .419 wOBA to right-handed hitters this season, too.

Michael Conforto, NYM at SD ($5,400): As noted, Luis Perdomo has struggled considerably against left-handed hitters, so Conforto checks out as a high-end option. After all, the youngster sports an elite .417 on-base percentage and .422 wOBA against right-handed hurlers this season.

Jay Bruce, NYM at SD ($4,400): As a nice stack option alongside Michael Conforto and Jose Reyes, Bruce's salary stands out as a nice discount in the noted excellent matchup. The veteran outfielder is quietly in the midst of a career year and owns a .280 ISO and .377 wOBA against right-handed arms for the season.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Neil Parker plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: naparker77, DraftKings: naparker77.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil Parker
Neil is a former RotoWire contributor. A loyal Cubs, Cowboys and Maple Leafs fan for decades, Neil had contributed to RotoWire since 2014. He previously worked for USA Today Fantasy Sports.
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