This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Thursday's three-game slate is interesting due to the fact that an argument can be made for selecting each available pitcher. As a result of this, you could take the opportunity to grab two cheap options and load up on strong hitters.
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Pitcher
Zack Greinke, ARI vs. ATL ($9,100): Greinke has been lights out at home this season, collecting a 2.16 ERA while allowing just a .256 wOBA in 87.1 innings. He has struck out 87 batters over that span. The Braves aren't the best team to select a pitcher against but the numbers aren't as bad as some may think, as they have logged a .314 wOBA, which makes them a bottom-half offense against orthodox hurlers.
Cheap GPP Consideration, Shane Bieber, CLE at TOR ($8,000): Bieber has had a bit of an up-and-down season in his rookie campaign but he certainly found his strikeout pitch in August, when he struck out 32 batters in 28.1 innings. It is also worth noting that he has logged a solid 3.56 xFIP in 46.2 frames on the road. While the Blue Jays aren't anyone's idea of an easy out, Bieber has shown the ability to put points on the board, tallying at least 18.4 DraftKings points in four of his last six outings.
GPP Fade: Stephen Strasburg WAS vs. CHC ($8,600): It's difficult to call anyone a complete fade with only three games to choose from but prospective owners should at least be wary of Strasburg, who owns a 5.40 ERA in 56.2 innings at home. Add to that the fact that his velocity has dipped in his three starts back from the disabled list and suddenly it doesn't seem all that crazy to avoid Strasburg against the Cubs, a team that has notched the fifth highest wOBA against right-handed pitching this season.
Catcher
Yan Gomes, CLE at TOR ($3,400): Gomes has shown an influx of power on the road, as evidenced by the .192 ISO he has logged in 177 at-bats. He has notched a 41 percent hard contact rate over that span. Sam Gaviglio has showcased solid numbers at home this season but has surrendered a .443 slugging percentage in 57.1 innings against right-handed hitters.
First Base
Anthony Rizzo, CHC at WAS ($4,800): The ineffectiveness of his fastball has been one of the more jarring things about Strasburg's 2018 season. The pitch currently sits at -8.8 RAA in 101.1 innings. Anthony Rizzo should have no problem making the former phenom pay for the subpar offering, as he has registered a 13.1 RAA against the heater in 485 at-bats.
Second Base
Wilmer Difo, WAS vs CHC ($3,700): Difo has quietly shown some power of late, notching a .189 ISO in August before responding with two homers and two doubles in his 20 September at-bats. Opposing starter Kyle Hendricks has thrown the ball well for most of the year but has struck out just 17.3 percent of batters faced on the road while also surrendering a 1.36 WHIP.
Third Base
Eduardo Escobar, ARI vs. ATL ($4,200): Escobar has hammered right-handed pitching to the tune of a .266 ISO in 327 at-bats this season. It has been a resurgent season for opposing starter Anibal Sanchez but his fastball has registered an unsightly -7.5 RAA, while Escobar has tallied a career-best 10.2 RAA against the heater in 484 at-bats.
Shortstop
Aledmys Diaz, TOR vs. CLE ($3,400): Diaz has shown good power this season after a down year in 2017, having not logged an ISO under .215 in any calendar month since June (167 at-bats). His xFIP may be solid but the fact remains that Bieber has had a bit of an issue keeping the ball in the park on the road, as evidenced by his 1.35 HR/9 rate.
Outfield
Ronald Acuna, ATL at ARI ($5,000): Acuna has been consistent against both righties and lefties this season, which has resulted in a .281 ISO and .392 wOBA in 342 at-bats. Meanwhile, Greinke has struggled a bit with same-handed hitters, surrendering 18 homers and a 43.6 percent hard contact rate in 98 frames.
A.J. Pollock ARI vs. ATL ($4,000): Pollock has shown good power against both sides of the platoon but has been a bit better against righties overall, having notched a .355 wOBA in 218 at-bats. Sanchez has given up a few more homers to same-handed hitters in 2018, allowing eight long balls in 57 frames.
Melky Cabrera, CLE at TOR ($4,000): While he may not look like the player of old, Cabrera came to life in the waning months of summer, finishing August with a .220 ISO and a .379 wOBA in 82 at-bats. Gaviglio has been hit hard by lefties in 2018, allowing a .486 slugging percentage in 43 innings.
