This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Rain once again is an issue on Thursday with games in Cincinnati and Chicago possibly headed for postponements. Unfortunately, that takes the slate down to five games with only a few options at pitcher, one of them being priced well above the others.
PITCHER
Max Scherzer, WAS vs. BAL ($63): If there were another pitcher who could guarantee at least 20 fantasy points, I'd consider passing on Scherzer. However, there isn't, so Scherzer is the pick even at the high price. He's hit 10 strikeouts in 10 of his 15 outings and is a threat to hit 30 fantasy points every start. He racked up 49.3 fantasy points (8 IP, 2 H, 12 K) last time against the Orioles, so another big performance is definitely on the table. In the past month, Baltimore has a 25.2 K percentage, .136 ISO and .284 wOBA against righties, all near last in the league.
Brent Suter, MIL vs. STL ($36): Suter is a good complement to Scherzer in that he doesn't cost much and has a nice floor with at least 18 fantasy points in his last six starts. He won't go off like Scherzer, but he'll go six innings and get five or six strikeouts. The Cardinals are mediocre against southpaws with a 21.3 K percent and .318 wOBA since the beginning of May. If you want to fade Scherzer, I'd also consider Tyler Skaggs ($40) and Ivan Nova ($34).
CATCHER
Manny Pina, MIL vs. STL ($9): If you want to go big at pitcher, you probably have to go small at catcher and a couple other positions. Pina at least has a workable matchup and hits righties better with a career .161 ISO. Carlos Martinez is having some accuracy issues with 18 walks and 10 earned runs in his last three starts. If that continues, Pina can at least get on base for cheap.
FIRST BASE
Albert Pujols, LAA vs. TOR ($13): Pujols still provides fantasy value and most of that has come against righties with 10 homers and 10 doubles. On the mound, Aaron Sanchez has put in quality outings, yet still has a 4.35 ERA and 4.07 xFIP against righty bats and that won't help against the Angels, which hit righty arms well with a .336 wOBA over the last month.
SECOND BASE
Hernan Perez, MIL vs. STL ($9): Perez is another cheap bat to use against Martinez, who hasn't made it more than five innings in his last four outings. Perez has been decent this season with a .338 BABIP against righties, which is all you're looking for at this price.
THIRD BASE
Pablo Sandoval, SF vs. SD ($13): Sandoval is relevant again, and his price still doesn't match his output with a .397 BABIP and 10 extra-base hits in 110 at-bats against righties. Tyson Ross fits the bill and most of his struggles come against lefty bats with a .361 wOBA allowed in addition to three runs given up in three of his last four starts.
SHORTSTOP
Trea Turner, WAS vs. BAL ($16): If you have a couple bucks to throw around at shortstop, Turner is a good place to turn with Kevin Gausman on the mound. Turner has seven of his eight homers against righties this year and that's why his career ISO is at .200 with a .363 wOBA. Gausman is always a hard pitcher to project with a 4.48 ERA, but his 2.03 HR/9 and .376 wOBA allowed to righties stand out.
OUTFIELD
David Peralta, ARI at PIT ($18): Peralta is the safe outfielder pick, as he can get on base (.321 BABIP), as well as provide power with a .254 ISO against righties. That's perfect against Ivan Nova, who has pitched better as of late, yet still sports a .369 wOBA allowed and 4.71 xFIP from last season against lefty bats.
Gregory Polanco, PIT vs. ARI ($12): Similar to Turner, Polanco has a cheaper bat that can be used for power with a .223 ISO and .325 wOBA against righties. Zack Godley is another inconsistent pitcher who allows runs every game (4.77 ERA) to go with a .352 wOBA allowed and 4.26 xFIP against lefty bats.
Kole Calhoun, LAA vs. TOR ($9): If you're looking for a shot in the dark, Calhoun is the answer. He was miserable to open the season, but returned from the DL with a few hits and a homer this week. The hope is that he can return to former numbers, namely a .162 ISO and .322 wOBA against righty arms. Sanchez's main struggles come against lefties with a 6.04 xFIP this season to go with a career .325 wOBA allowed.
