This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHER
Corey Kluber, CLE vs. KC ($26,100): Kluber is at a level where you just take him no matter the price. He is coming off a complete-game shutout with eight strikeouts, and it wasn't even a top-5 effort of his this season. The Royals put up a lot of fight in ending the Indians' 22-game winning streak, but there's virtually nothing left to play for, as they are too far behind the Twins for a realistic playoff push.
Jon Gray, COL vs. SD ($16,500): Taking a pitcher at Coors Field is generally not a good idea, but Gray knows how to pitch at home and he's been very dependable for most of the season. He has not allowed more than three runs in any start since the end of July, a streak includes three home starts. Gray is also coming off a great outing at Arizona where he went seven scoreless while striking out 10. The Padres are still the Padres, so there's little to worry about there.
INFIELD
Jose Abreu, CHW at DET ($8,800): The White Sox have been out of the playoff race for quite a while now, but it's only recently like they've been playing like a team cares. Or maybe it's the opposite; maybe they are playing care-free with nothing to lose and that's why they are hitting so well. Whatever the case, they are crushing the ball and Abreu has been a big part of the turn around. They get another good matchup against lefty Matt Boyd, and Abreu has been great against lefties this season, posting a .450 wOBA.
John Hicks, DET vs. CHW ($6,400):Dylan Covey takes the mound for the White Sox, which means there will be plenty of cheap options to choose from in the Tigers' lineup. Hicks replaced Miguel Cabrera on Saturday after Cabrera left with back tightness, so I am going to assume Hicks finds a spot somewhere in the lineup since he enters with a .374 wOBA against righties this year.
Freddie Freeman, ATL vs. NYM ($9,600): After going hitless in the last two games of a series against the Nationals, Freeman got back on track Saturday, hitting his 27th home run. 28 and maybe 29 could be on tap for Freeman as he faces Robert Gsellman, who is heading in the wrong direction once again. Gsellman had a nice run at the end of August, but he's coming off a bad start against the Cubs and he has a track record this season of going into a tailspin after a poor start. Meanwhile, Freeman enters with a .435 wOBA against righties this season, which is top-5 in the majors.
OUTFIELD
Avisail Garcia, CHW vs. DET ($9,300): When previewing slates earlier this week, I often found myself in the spot where I was going to take Abreu or Garcia, but in this case I think both is the way to go. With Boyd on the mound for the Tigers, the White Sox are certainly in play for a stack. Garcia enters with a .447 wOBA against lefties this season, which is second on the team and top-20 in the majors.
Eddie Rosario, MN vs. TOR ($9,000): Opposing starter Joe Biagini has been all over the map this season, but even a recent uptick in performance isn't going to scare me away from a Twins team that is trying to avoid a sweep in the middle of a playoff race. Rosario enters with a .372 wOBA against righties this season, which leads the Twins.
Odubel Herrera, PHI vs. OAK ($7,200): A lot was expected of Herrera coming into the season, but after a slow start and the emergence of Rhys Hoskins, he pretty much fell off the map. With that said, he's been pretty good over the past month and his salary is still very reasonable. The Phillies face Sean Manaea, who has been good and terrible in spots, and he's coming off a terrible start against the Red Sox, so I'm hoping to see terrible Manaea. Herrera comes in a .374 wOBA against lefties this season, which is tops among Phillies who have played all season.
UTILITY
Luis Valbuena, LAA vs. TEX ($7,200): There's really no reason for Valbuena to be in the lineup against a lefty, but against a righty it's a different story. Valbuena has 21 home runs this season and 20 of them have come against righties. He now gets to face righty Miguel Gonzalez, who has allowed 11 runs in two starts since being traded to the Rangers. The Angels make for an interesting stack because they also have Mike Trout, who happens to the lead the majors in wOBA against righties this season.
Jose Martinez, STL at CHC ($7,500): Martinez has been one of the biggest surprises of the second half and the main reason he's come on so strongly is his ability to hit lefties. He's facing Jose Quintana, who is no slouch but has been erratic this season, so he's definitely hittable. Martinez enters with a .556 wOBA against lefties this season, which has him tied for the league lead with J.D. Martinez.
