This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Thursday has an interesting slate with one ace followed by either pitchers coming off the DL or no one you'd want to trust. Justin Verlander ($56) makes the most sense, but there is a way to make a lineup without him that includes balanced hitting.
PITCHER
Johnny Cueto, SF vs. STL ($49): The price seems high for someone coming off the DL, but Cueto was solid in two Triple-A appearances (7.2 IP, 0 ER) and should be around his normal pitch count. With a 0.84 ERA through five starts, he's worth a shot against the Cardinals, who have been mediocre against righties over the last month with a 22.8 K percentage and .314 wOBA.
Marco Gonzales, SEA vs. LAA ($40): There aren't many other places to go unless you roll big with Justin Verlander ($56). Gonzales has at least been consistent with 13 fantasy points in eight of his last nine starts. He's usually good for five or six strikeouts, and if he can have a quality start, that'll be enough to reach value. Since June 1, the Cardinals are near the bottom of most rankings against southpaws with a 23.9 K percentage and .273 wOBA.
CATCHER
Austin Hedges, SD at ARI ($14): After sitting on Wednesday, Hedges should return behind the plate for a tasty matchup. Shelby Miller has allowed 15 hits and 11 runs in his only two starts this year and hasn't pitched much since 2016 when he had a 4.49 xFIP against righty bats. Hedges doesn't have great numbers but he comes cheap in a good spot.
FIRST BASE
John Hicks, DET vs. TEX ($14): Hicks has been one of the few consistent bats for the Tigers in the last month with a .353 BABIP against righties shining through. And even though it's the Tigers, there's little reason to trust Yovani Gallardo, who has allowed 12 runs in his three starts. So far, his numbers are in line with what he did in 2017 with a 5.07 xFIP against righties.
SECOND BASE
Rougned Odor, TEX at DET ($14): This is an odd lefty-lefty matchup, but Odor has been better against southpaws this year with a .375 BABIP, and he comes cheap at second base. As for Matt Boyd, he's given up 14 runs in his last three starts and a career 4.54 xFIP against lefty bats doesn't instill much confidence.
THIRD BASE
Eduardo Escobar, MIN vs. BAL ($17): Escobar's price has fallen after a rough couple weeks, but he smacked a homer on Wednesday and still rocks a solid .304 ISO with 10 homers against righties. Andrew Cashner has put in some quality outings yet still isn't a dominant pitcher, with six walks in his last two starts and a 4.38 xFIP against lefty backs for the year.
SHORTSTOP
Nick Ahmed, ARI vs. SD ($14): Ahmed is only useful against southpaws with a .366 wOBA this year and career .334 mark. Eric Lauer dropped his ERA to 5.08 in recent starts, but still has a lot of questions with a 1.63 HR/9 and 4.36 xFIP against righty bats.
OUTFIELD
Mark Trumbo, BAL at MIN ($17): Trumbo has power against all pitchers, but a .269 ISO and .384 wOBA from nine homers and eight doubles against righty hurlers is more enticing. Aaron Slegers didn't show much in his only outing back on May 30, striking out three and allowing six hits and two runs to the Royals.
Travis Jankowski, SD at ARI ($12): Jankowski is a cheaper outfielder to use against a shaky pitcher and is getting on base against righties with a .350 BABIP and minimal 12.3 K percentage. That'll work against Miller, who has struggled in two starts this year to go with a career .336 wOBA allowed to lefty bats.
Chris Owings, ARI vs. SD ($8): For my cheapest outfielder, Owings is at least serviceable with a .435 BABIP in his last 33 plate appearances against lefties. Lauer won't go more than six innings for the Padres after giving up nine hits in his last start to go with a .387 wOBA allowed to righties.
