This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
A lack of reliable arms on an eight-game slate could have players reaching all the way to the top shelf Thursday. Fortunately, we can also go to the basement in order to create a cohesive lineup that allows us to spend up for some of the better hitters on the docket.
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Pitcher
Justin Verlander, HOU vs. CWS (13,400): Verlander hasn't come close to earning his price in his last few starts but the 35-year-old still owns the best fastball in the league according to RAA (22.2), to say nothing of his 2.12 ERA and 31 percent strikeout rate. He may just find his elite form against the White Sox, as they hold a bottom-10 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season as well as a 25 percent strikeout rate.
Cheap GPP Consideration, Andrew Cashner, BAL at MIN ($4,600): Cashner was downright decent in June, logging a 3.21 ERA, a 7.7 percent walk rate and a 46.7 percent groundball rate in 28 innings. Those stats didn't always translate into fantasy points but Cashner will get his easiest matchup in some time in the form of the Twins, who have logged a bottom-10 wOBA against right-handed pitching. It may not be sexy but the fact that a capable pitcher in a positive situation will cost prospective owners less than 25 hitters on the slate should be intriguing, particularly when it allows for the rostering of one of the best pitchers in the sport.
GPP Fade: Jaime Barria, LAA at SEA ($8,100): Barria seems to be losing DFS relevance with each passing outing, as he has failed to post at least 15 DraftKings points in four consecutive starts. The Mariners are one of the best teams in the league against right-handed pitching according to wOBA (.319), which could spell trouble for a rookie hurler who finished June having surrendered a .526 slugging percentage to opposing offenses in 25.1 innings.
Catcher
John Hicks, DET vs. TEX ($3,300): Hicks has swung the bat better against lefties this season but still owns a .156 ISO and a 42 percent hard contact rate against righties in 160 at-bats. Yovani Gallardo's .558 slugging percentage against righty batters is based on a small sample size (10 innings) but it is worth noting that the veteran allowed a .500 slugging percentage in 65.2 frames against same-handed hitters in 2017.
First Base
Eric Hosmer, SD at ARI ($3,800):Shelby Miller has had a rough start to his season after recovering from Tommy John surgery, allowing 11 runs in 8.2 innings (two starts) since rejoining the big club. While this is certainly a small sample size, we can't ignore the fact that he struggled on his rehab assignment as well, as evidenced by the 10 runs he allowed in 19.1 innings of Minor League baseball. Meanwhile, Hosmer has notched a .351 wOBA and a .170 ISO against righty hurlers in 218 at-bats.
Second Base
Jonathan Villar, MIL vs. ATL ($3,400): Villar hasn't had much fantasy relevance in the last two seasons but DFS players who dismiss him outright will overlook the .250 ISO and .377 wOBA he has tallied against southpaws in 44 at-bats. Max Fried has shown himself to be a strikeout artist in his 17.2 innings with the big club but he has always had trouble with the free pass and could get into trouble in Miller Park if his penchant for allowing home runs at this level (three allowed in six appearances) continues.
Third Base
Johan Camargo, ATL at MIL ($3,700): Camargo has shown himself to be a quality low-cost option, notching a .172 ISO to go along with a 41.5 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching. Jhoulys Chacin has achieved solid results against left-handed hitters this season but an abundance of walks combined with a low strikeout total has contributed to a 5.68 xFIP against his opposite hand in 46 innings.
Shortstop
Nick Ahmed, ARI vs. SD ($3,300): Ahmed has been a solid option against left-handed pitching in 2018 thanks to the .241 ISO and .366 wOBA he has tallied against his opposite hand in 87 at-bats. Opposing starter Eric Lauer has struggled with right-handers this season, allowing a .387 wOBA in 49.2 frames.
Outfield
Nelson Cruz, SEA vs. LAA ($5,100): Barria has kept a significant reverse split in 2018, surrendering a .510 slugging percentage and seven homers in 27 innings to right-handed hitters. Cruz should have no problem taking advantage of the rookie, as he has logged a .253 ISO and a .362 wOBA against righty pitching in 198 at-bats.
Mark Trumbo, BAL at MIN ($4,100):Aaron Slegers hasn't shown much to this point in his Minor League career, having consistently posted below average strikeout rates. He has also shown a penchant for allowing homers in the Majors, surrendering four long balls in 20.2 career innings. Trumbo has posted a .261 ISO against righty hurlers this season and shouldn't have to be overly concerned with the 23.6 percent strikeout rate he has put up in 134 at-bats.
Nick Markakis, ATL at MIL ($4,800): Markakis brings all the advantages of his infield counterpart against Chacin but should have a bit more of an edge, as he has notched a 10.5 RAA against the fastball, while the Milwaukee right-hander has registered a -7.7 RAA with his heater in 18 games.
