This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Tyler Skaggs, LAA at KC ($5,700): Skaggs, a 2009 first-round draft pick, last pitched in the majors in 2014 when he held down a solid 3.65 xFIP in 113 innings. Missing the end of 2014 and all of 2015 due to Tommy John surgery, Skaggs has a spectacular 1.67 ERA accompanied by a 36.3 percent K rate and a 6.5 percent walk rate in seven starts (32.1 innings) at Triple-A this year. The Royals' offense has been poor over the past two weeks, accompanying a 23 percent strikeout rate with a measly 68 wRC+. The game takes place in the relatively pitcher-friendly park in Kansas City with a potential wind blowing in.
Marcus Stroman, TOR vs. SD ($7,400): Stroman holds a favorable home split with a 3.48 xFIP, and he has been spectacular this month, posting a 2.64 xFIP, 21.3 percent K rate (a significant increase from his 17.2 percent season rate) and 2.8 percent walk rate. The Padres are more middle-of-the-road than actually bad (99 wRC+ over the last 14 days) but the K rate is still significant (26.4 percent over the last two weeks).
CATCHER
Mike Zunino, SEA at PIT ($2,600):Francisco Liriano was spectacular last time out, striking out 13 in 6.2 innings while allowing two earned runs (one home run) and no walks. Liriano allowing no walks in a start, with a 12.9 percent season-long walk rate, leads us to the conclusion that the last start likely stands as an anomaly. The No. 3 overall pick in 2012, Zunino has spent various stints in the majors dating back to 2013, but he ultimately found his way back to Triple-A for the first half of this season. In 79 games at Triple-A this season, Zunino had a 136 wRC+ with 17 home runs. In five games since being called up to the majors, Zunino has a 208 wRC+ and three home runs. Zunino's past split data is a little insufficient to be positive in the sample size's validity, but it does seem to insinuate a preferred split against left-handed pitching.
FIRST BASE
Chris Carter, MIL vs. ARI ($4,000):Patrick Corbin has allowed a 4.68 xFIP and 1.49 HR/9 against right-handed bats this season. Despite a paltry .200 BABIP, Carter has a 124 wRC+ and .320 ISO against southpaws this year. With that few of his contacted balls ending in hits, those are spectacular numbers. Carter will never be a high BABIP guys, but .200 is 76 points below his career BABIP against lefties.
SECOND BASE
Jace Peterson, ATL at MIN ($3,200): A supplemental first round pick in the 2011 MLB draft, Peterson has been up-and-down in his ascent towards the majors. Hitting lefties is a major issue (he has a 42 wRC+ this season against southpaws), but against righties Peterson has been very good, holding a 116 wRC+ and a BABIP of just .304 (his career number is .290). Ervin Santana has struggled against left-handed bats in his career, with a split xFIP 31 points higher than against righties. Santana's numbers this season are wholly unspectacular with a 4.49 xFIP and his lowest K rate since his rookie season back in 2005.
THIRD BASE
Jake Lamb, ARI at MIL ($4,800): Lamb has roasted right-handed pitching this season to the tune of a 161 wRC+ and .332 ISO. Matt Garza hasn't showcased any recognizable L/R split over his career, but he's been all-around poor this season, posting a 5.94 ERA and 4.96 xFIP to go along with allowing a career-worst 39.3 percent hard-hit percentage.
SHORTSTOP
Alex Bregman, HOU vs. NYY ($3,900): After being selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft, it's been a quick ascent to the majors. Bregman's 2015 encompassed an abbreviated 66 games at Single-A and Single-A+. This season saw him start at Double-A, where he had a 177 wRC+ and 14 home runs in 62 games. Next, an 18-game stay at Triple-A resulted in a 164 wRC+ and power-crazy .308 ISO. Game 1 in the majors for Bregman will be forgettable after going 0-for-4, but he now has a solid matchup against a lefty who's been shaky lately and against righties across his career in CC Sabathia.
OUTFIELD
Mark Trumbo, BAL vs. COL ($4,100): Trumbo is having a spectacular power season, doing most of his work against right-handed pitching. Against righties at home this season, Trumbo matches a spectacular .318 ISO with a 176 wRC+. Opposing starter Chad Bettis' numbers are undoubtedly inflated by Coors Field, but isolating his away starts against righties shows a 4.21 xFIP and 1.4 HR/9.
Nelson Cruz, SEA at PIT ($4,900):Francisco Liriano has a mediocre 4.58 xFIP against righties while allowing 1.36 HR/9 this season. Meanwhile, Cruz has a 179 wRC+ and .368 ISO against lefties this season.
Ryan Braun, MIL vs. ARI ($5,300): As mentioned earlier, Patrick Corbin has really struggled against right-handed bats. On the flip side, Braun has a spectacular 186 wRC+ against lefties at home this year, and he steals roughly the same number of bases against lefties as righties.
Kris Bryant, CHC at CHW ($4,600):James Shields is really struggling this season, with a 4.99 ERA, 4.86 xFIP and allowing 1.56 HR/9. He showcases no recognizable L/R split and Bryant is similarly without a split, holding a 139 wRC+ against righties during his career.
