This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
It could be worth it to back one of the bigger favorites in Wednesday night's slate, but a better strategy may be to go cheaper with better matchups. That's the route I took and it led to a safe, balanced lineup filled with a lot of bats that are good at getting on base.
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PITCHER
Zack Wheeler, NYM at BAL ($10,800): Wheeler's been stout for the Mets winning his last five starts, reaching six innings and at least 18 fantasy points in each of them. His 23.8 K% isn't elite, though it's kept his floor in decent range all season. The Orioles have solid numbers over the last month against righties, but they still have a 22.6 K% and the worst record in MLB.
GPP Fade: Nathan Eovaldi, BOS at PHI ($9,300): I had Gerrit Cole ($12,200) here, but the Rockies haven't been good against righties on the road. Eovaldi doesn't have close to the same kind of upside as Cole with just nine strikeouts in his last three starts. He was shelled by the Orioles last time out, allowing 10 hits and eight runs (four earned) in 2.2 innings. It doesn't help that the Phillies have shown decent power in the last month against righty arms with a .173 ISO.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Hyun-Jin Ryu, LAD vs. SF ($7,500): This is probably the easiest play on the slate mainly because the upside is there no matter how long Ryu pitches. He went five innings in a Triple-A start last week and should be looking at six if all goes well. If he can hit seven strikeouts, that'd be enough to reach value. The Giants have a minimal .090 ISO and .293 wOBA against southpaws since the beginning of July.
CATCHER
Jose Briceno, LAA at SD ($3,100): Briceno should make the lineup with a lefty on the mound, as he has three homers and a .400 BABIP in 31 plate appearances against them. Robbie Erlin has four starts this year with 14 runs allowed in 18.1 innings pitched, a bit worse than his 3.36 ERA due to his work as a relief pitcher.
FIRST BASE
Justin Smoak, TOR at KC ($4,300): Smoak hasn't done much the last few games, but his .259 ISO and .382 wOBA against righty arms is too hard to pass up in a favorable spot. In fact, a few Blue Jays should be used against Burch Smith, who's given up 16 runs in the last three games to go with a 2.60 HR/9 against lefty bats.
SECOND BASE
Jason Kipnis, CLE at CIN ($4,200): Instead of going big on one of Cleveland's better bats, it's worth trying Kipnis for slightly cheaper. His numbers against righties are off this year, but his career .341 wOBA is good enough against Robert Stephenson. The righty hurler gave up three runs and five walks in his lone start last week and has a career 5.91 xFIP against lefties (55.2 IP).
THIRD BASE
Rafael Devers, BOS at PHI ($4,000): Similar to Kipnis, Devers is on the low end of Boston hitters, making him an appealing play against an iffy pitcher. Devers is most useful for his power against righties with a .207 ISO from 13 homers and 19 doubles. Vince Velasquez is having decent season, yet still has a .334 wOBA allowed and 1.54 HR/9 against lefties.
SHORTSTOP
Freddy Galvis, SD vs. LAA ($3,800): Galvis is on a tear with four of his 10 homers in the last eight games. His overall numbers aren't great, but any lefty bat is worth considering against Felix Pena. The righty arm has just eight strikeouts in his last four starts and a career 5.30 xFIP against 179 lefties faced.
OUTFIELD
Nick Markakis, ATL vs. MIA ($5,200): This felt like a good spot to spend a little more as Jose Urena has allowed at least four runs in three of his last four starts and given up multiple homers in two of those. His .336 wOBA allowed and 1.53 HR/9 against lefty bats also helps Markakis. The lefty has hit safely in his last 11 games and has a .380 wOBA against righties.
Michael Conforto, NYM at BAL ($4,900): Similar to the Mets as a whole, Conforto is doing better with nothing to play for, hitting safely in eight of his last 10 games. His career .234 ISO and .368 wOBA against righty arms are still desirable numbers and Dylan Bundy isn't the answer against this lineup. Bundy has given up at least five runs in four of his last six starts and has a miserable .376 wOBA allowed to lefties.
Teoscar Hernandez, TOR at KC ($4,400): Hernandez has slightly more power against lefties, but he still has power against righties (.224 ISO) and is more consistent (.327 BABIP). That should be enough against Smith, who is struggling in the majors with a 5.03 xFIP and .359 wOBA allowed against righty bats.
