This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
In a day filled without aces, I picked two consistent pitchers against less than average lineups. And for those that go big with Aaron Judge, Tommy Pham or Manny Machado, most of my recommended bats are on the cheap side. There is some rain in the forecast, but it's mostly scattered and nothing that will postpone a game.
PITCHER
Gio Gonzalez, WAS vs. SD ($47): When in doubt, go with anyone against the Padres. No, they aren't the worst team in MLB, but their 25.7 K% against southpaws is reason enough to go with Gio Gonzalez, who carved them in his last start for eight strikeouts. Gonzalez has hit 24 fantasy points in his last three outings and should get to at least 20 points due to the K upside against San Diego.
Walker Buehler, LAD vs. COL ($43): Buehler's price has finally leveled off after a hot start, partly because he gave up four runs to the Marlins last time out. Still, he's not overwhelmingly expensive and his 30.4 K% should work perfectly against the Rockies, which own a 24.7 K% against righties over the last month. Buehler had his first dud last start, but still managed 12 fantasy points with seven strikeouts.
CATCHER
Devin Mesoraco, NYM vs. MIA ($8): Mesoraco has suddenly revived his bat with the Mets and is worth a chance due to price. In addition to three homers in his last five games, Mesoraco was at least decent against righties last season in limited time with a .325 wOBA. Elieser Hernandez pitched well in his first MLB start, but only threw 75 pitches, which means the Miami bullpen that has the worst ERA in the league (5.86), should see some action.
FIRST BASE
Jose Abreu, CWS vs. BAL ($20): Abreu has done a ton of damage over the last week and has 10 doubles and six homers against righties this season after sporting a .239 ISO in 2017. That'll work against Andrew Cashner, who has given up at least three runs in his last six starts. Cashner strikes out righties less (14.8 K%) and had a miserable 4.73 xFIP against them last year. He's a reason this game is tied for the highest over/under of the day (9.5 runs).
SECOND BASE
Kolten Wong, STL vs. KC ($7): Wong isn't having a great season, hence the price, but all seven of his extra-base hits have come against righties and that's how 2017 went with a .343 wOBA. He's at least worth a try against Ian Kennedy, who has given up 14 runs and 15 hits in his last two starts.
THIRD BASE
Matt Davidson, CWS vs. BAL ($17): Davidson has 11 home runs this season and seven of them have come against righties, which puts his career ISO at .249. Cashner has already allowed 11 homers (four to righties) and isn't a big strikeout guy after a poor 12.0 K% against righty bats last year. That usually means good things for Davidson, who strikes out a lot (35.9 K% against righties) as a power hitter.
SHORTSTOP
Johan Camargo, ATL at PHI ($9): I'll keep using Camargo until his price goes up. In his short career, he's had a consistent bat (.311 BABIP vs. righties), while providing more power than others that cost the same (career .158 ISO). Nick Pivetta is having a nice season, but this is also his fourth time facing the Braves and he didn't make it more than five innings in any of those. Camargo has faced him seven times in that period with a double and a triple.
OUTFIELD
Max Kepler, MIN vs. DET ($14): Kepler already has three homers against southpaws, which is one more than all of last season. Something has changed for him and that should work against Blaine Hardy and the Tigers bullpen (4.55 ERA), which continues to get exploited late in games. Hardy isn't a regular starter (4.1 IP in only start this year) and has a career 4.56 xFIP against lefty bats.
Aaron Hicks, NYY at TEX ($14): Hicks is always a solid value play when a righty is on the mound. His .304 BABIP against righties is fine, but more importantly is coming off a season with a .214 ISO and .352 wOBA. Bartolo Colon just carved up the Mariners, but stringing together dominant outings is a thing of the past for him after last year's .381 wOBA against both sides of the plate.
Brandon Nimmo, NYM vs. MIA ($11): Nimmo is hitting well this year and still comes cheap even with a .405 BABIP against righties. Throw in a career .375 wOBA and he's worth a chance against Hernandez and the Marlins bullpen. Even better is that Hernandez only struck out two in his first start, meaning Nimmo's 24.3 K% shouldn't be a major issue.
