This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Alex Asher, PHI vs. PIT ($4,300): At Triple-A, Asher carried a 1.53 ERA. His K rate stood at a mediocre 17.8 percent, but his walk rate was a fairly spectacular 2.8 percent. It's not quite Clayton Kershaw's 2.0 percent, but Asher's precision, combined with his fly ball tendency, showcase a potential for effectiveness against the power-lacking Pirates. Asher's first MLB start this season was six innings of scoreless ball against a good Nationals lineup.
Robbie Ray, ARI vs. COL ($7,700): Ray falls at the other side of the spectrum, as the southpaw has powered his way to an impressive 28.4 percent K rate. He's also showcased great proficiency against left-handed bats, with a 2.44 xFIP and 30.4 percent K rate. Three of the Rockies' top four hitters are lefties, and the Rockies rank 23rd with a 87 wRC+ this season, including the production of the now-injured lefty-crusher Trevor Story.
CATCHER
Mike Zunino, SEA at LAA ($3,600): Zunino is have a spectacular season at the plate, as his wRC+ now sits at 144 behind a power-heavy .322 ISO. Opposing starter Alex Meyer has made three appearances this season, pitching a total of seven innings and giving up six earned runs while walking eight. Meyer is a major prospect with potentially explosive stuff, but he hasn't even been able to throw strikes up to this point.
FIRST BASE
Yulieski Gurriel, HOU vs. TEX ($2,600): Still a new name to most, Gurriel is anything but a newbie, as the 32-year-old played 925 professional games in Cuba before moving to the majors this season. In his last season in Cuba, 2015, Gurriel hit for a .500 average and 1.463 OPS. Yes, MLB is a completely different level than Cuba, but Gurriel has been up to par with a 142 wRC+. He also can swipe a few bases and is third base eligible, in case you needed any more evidence pronouncing his spectacular value playing in the co-highest over/under game of the night.
SECOND BASE
Whit Merrifield, KC vs. OAK ($3,300): There's nothing outstanding in Merrifield's pedigree. He hits for a solid average but is void of much power. He bats second, but does so in the vanilla Royals offense. He has 20 stolen bases in 69 games at Triple-A this season, but just five in 62 MLB games. All of that said, Merrifield is in a good matchup against Oakland's young Jharel Cotton, who's seen just 6.1 innings at the MLB level (his performances in the minors were very up-and-down).
THIRD BASE
Jorge Polanco, MIN at DET ($3,100): The sample is small with just 47 plate appearances, but Polanco has a 136 wRC+ against lefties this season and gets a luxury spot in 2-hole right behind Brian Dozier. Southpaw Matt Boyd is a competent pitcher, but his 4.70 xFIP and 1.57 HR/9 allowed to right-handed bats show a vulnerability to exploit.
SHORTSTOP
Dansby Swanson, ATL vs. MIA ($2,900): Swanson is day-to-day after being hit by an errant throw Monday night. With that said, the no. 1 overall pick from the 2015 draft has made a meteoric rise to already reach the majors. His .301 batting average (backed by sustainable peripherals) through 21 games appears to indicate he's the real deal. He's still positioned in the bottom half of the order, but he is priced adequately to make up for it.
OUTFIELD
Miguel Sano, MIN at DET ($3,900): Sano doesn't necessarily showcase a substantial L/R split, but his career 119 wRC+ is solid. His September has yielded a healthy .324 ISO, as he's beginning to show inklings of the power he's been long projected to have.
Cameron Maybin, DET vs. MIN ($3,900): Maybin has struggled since suffering a thumb injury, but he draws a very favorable matchup against right-handed Kyle Gibson's 5.34 ERA and – if he starts – catcher Kurt Suzuki's struggle to throw out base stealers. Maybin has converted 13 of 14 stolen base attempts against right-handed pitchers this season.
Scott Schebler, CIN vs. MIL ($3,200): After a poor spring in the majors, Schebler has been much better since being recalled, posting a 117 wRC+ in his last 38 MLB games. Matt Garza has had some success of late, but the matchup looks better when you combine the hitter-friendly environment in Cincinnati and Garza's 5.17 xFIP against left-handed batters.
