This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
There are only a few top-tier pitchers on Thursday's main slate but their potential is such that prospective owners will likely need to slide at least one into their lineups. This will leave some tough choices regarding the value option, as players may choose to go to the $7,000 range or lower in order to afford a variety of bats in promising situations.
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Pitcher
Mike Foltynewicz, ATL at NYM ($10,500): Foltynewicz has featured a devastating slider this season, which rates as the third most effective pitch of its kind at 15.3 RAA. The Mets have been a bottom-10 team against the slide piece in 2018 while notching just a .306 wOBA against right-handed pitching.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Mike Montgomery, CHC vs. SD ($7,000): Montgomery won't turn any heads with his stuff but he has a chance to put together a nice outing against the Padres, who have notched the seventh lowest wOBA against left-handed pitching in the league this season. Montgomery should be able to keep the Friars off balance with his heavy groundball rate, as they have hit the ball on the ground at a 45.7 percent rate in 2018.
GPP Fade: Madison Bumgarner, SF at ARI ($9,600): Bumgarner hasn't been able to find his strikeout pitch in 2018. He currently owns a punchout rate of 19.7 percent in 61.2 innings, which would be his lowest such rate since 2010 if the season ended today. The perennial Cy Young Award candidate has also been shaky with his command on the road (14 percent walk rate) which has contributed to a 5.06 ERA in 21.1 frames.
Catcher
Tyler Flowers, ATL at NYM ($3,300): It seems as though Flowers and Kurt Suzuki are alternating starts for the Braves but Flowers has made the last two appearances against lefties, having notched a .263 ISO against his opposite hand in 38 at-bats. The 32-year-old could be a perfect place to start a stack against Jason Vargas, who has surrendered a .608 slugging percentage to righty hitters in 30.2 innings.
First Base
Chris Davis, BAL at TEX ($3,800): To say that Davis has had an underwhelming 2018 would be an understatement but the 32-year-old showed good power in July when he logged a .253 ISO in 83 at-bats. He's worth a look against Yovani Gallardo, who holds a 5.39 xFIP against left-handed hitters in 21.2 innings this year.
Second Base
Daniel Murphy, WAS vs. CIN ($4,500): Murphy had a slow start to the season while recovering from injury but appeared to regain his form in July, as he tallied a .222 ISO and a .410 wOBA in 72 at-bats last month. Meanwhile, opposing starter Tyler Mahle has been devastated by left-handed hitters in 2018, allowing a .580 slugging percentage in 50.2 innings.
Third Base
Christian Villanueva, SD at CHC ($3,900): Villanueva needs to be considered as an option whenever he is facing a left-handed pitcher due to the remarkable .417 ISO he has notched against opposite-handed hurlers in 96 at-bats. Those who wish to target against Montgomery may find their ammunition, as he has logged a 4.93 ERA at Wrigley Field this season.
Shortstop
Ketel Marte, ARI vs. SF ($4,000): We spoke about Bumgarner's road struggles above but Marte brings another advantage into the matchup Thursday, as he has notched a 4.9 RAA against the fastball in 362 at-bats. Bumgarner has struggled with his heater for the second consecutive season in 2018, with the pitch having registered a -3.9 RAA in 10 starts.
Outfield
Shin-Soo Choo, TEX vs. BAL ($4,900): Choo has been one of the best hitters against the fastball in the league this season, registering a 22.8 RAA against the pitch in 397 at-bats. This should come in handy against former teammate Andrew Cashner, whose heater has yielded a -8.2 RAA in 112.1 frames.
Cody Bellinger, LAD vs. MIL ($3,900): While he may not be enjoying the success he saw in his rookie campaign, Bellinger has still been productive against right-handed pitching, logging a .224 ISO and a .340 wOBA in 259 at-bats. Jhoulys Chacin has thrown the ball well for the Brewers this season but has kept a 39:29 K/BB ratio against left-handed hitters in 61 innings, which has contributed to a 5.28 xFIP over that span.
Steven Souza Jr., ARI vs. SF ($4,100): We will circle back to Bumgarner for our final play of the day to highlight the 4.55 xFIP and 37 percent hard contact rate he has surrendered to right-handed hitters. Souza has yet to show tremendous power against lefties but remains an intriguing play thanks to the .370 wOBA and 62.5 percent hard contact rate he has tallied in 38 at-bats.
