This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHER
Max Scherzer, WAS vs. SD ($24,800): The Padres have a 24.5 percent strikeout rate and .298 wOBA versus right-handed pitching, and they strike out at an NL-worst 27.1 percent rate against righties on the road. Scherzer has a career-high 11.46 K/9 overall, including a 12.96 K/9 at Nationals Park. Although he's had a couple of stumbles, he's already eclipsed 30 fantasy points in four starts and scored 25.40 and 27.30 in two others.
Mike Clevinger, CLE vs. KC ($15,600): There are a number of intriguing mid-priced options, with Eduardo Rodriguez ($17,100) also shaping up as a high upside play against the Mariners. However, Clevinger is significantly cheaper and will likely be lower owned despite his matchup against a Royals squad that has the lowest wOBA (.275) versus right-handed pitching on the road, along with a 24.3 percent strikeout rate. Clevinger scored 33.75 fantasy points in his last start versus the Astros and also had 23.75 fantasy points against this same Royals squad at Kauffman Stadium back on May 7.
INFIELD
Daniel Murphy, WAS vs. SD ($9,600): The Nationals draw the highly favorable combination of Padres starter Luis Perdomo and a San Diego bullpen that has been one of the worst in the majors versus left-handed hitters all season. Perdomo has yielded a .460 wOBA (including .603 on the road) to lefty bats, along with a 24.0 percent line drive rate and 36.0 percent hard contact rate. The Padres' bullpen hasn't been much better, allowing a majors-worst .372 wOBA, majors-high 14 homers and NL-high 38.2 percent hard contact rate to left-handed hitters. Meanwhile, Murphy has a .389 wOBA, 25.8 percent line drive rate (including 32.3 percent at home) and 33.3 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching.
Jose Abreu, CWS vs. DET ($8,400): Tigers starter Matt Boyd has given up a .381 wOBA and seven homers to right-handed hitters, and he's allowed a .402 wOBA is his last four starts. Righty bats have also made hard contact at a 43.8 percent rate against him, while Abreu has punished southpaws for a .492 wOBA, .310 ISO, 220 wRC+, 25.7 percent line drive rate and 48.6 percent hard contact rate. He's also been on fire this month, posting a .404 wOBA, while Tigers relievers have given up a .320 wOBA, 17 homers and majors-high 47.5 percent hard contact rate to righty bats.
Matt Adams, ATL at SF ($6,600):- Giants starter Matt Cain has had his moments this season, but he's starting to show a few cracks in his foundation. The veteran has given up an 8.41 ERA and .393 wOBA in four May starts, and has also yielded a .374 wOBA and 6.44 xFIP versus lefty hitters, along with a 25.8 percent line drive rate and 51.6 percent hard contact rate to them at home. Adams has been excellent since arriving in Atlanta, and he's battered righties for a .375 wOBA and 35.6 percent hard contact rate (including 40.0 percent on the road) versus right-handed pitching.
OUTFIELD
Bryce Harper, WAS vs. SD ($10,400): The struggles of Padres starter Luis Perdomo and the San Diego bullpen versus left-handed hitters were detailed earlier, and Harper therefore shapes up as an appealing high-end option. Harper has 13 of his 14 homers against right-handed pitching, along with a .503 wOBA, .419 ISO and 35.3 percent hard contact rate against that handedness at home.
Corey Dickerson, TB at MIN ($9,200): Despite a lefty-on-lefty matchup, Dickerson's splits line up nicely with those of Twins southpaw Hector Santiago. Dickerson has a .417 wOBA versus left-handed pitchers, including .472 when facing them on the road. Meanwhile, Santiago has yielded a .608 wOBA, 8.81 xFIP, 30.4 percent line drive rate and 52.2 percent hard contact rate to the 33 lefty bats he's faced this season, and Twins relievers have yielded a .348 wOBA, a 4.99 ERA and nine homers to left-handed hitters, including a majors-high .441 wOBA this month.
Delino DeShields, TEX at TOR ($6,400): DeShields has been solid against right-handed pitching all season, posting a .320 wOBA against that handedness. Meanwhile, Blue Jays starter Michael Bolsinger has given up a .499 wOBA and 9.05 xFIP to right-handed hitters, and he has a 6.32 ERA while allowing a .370 wOBA in his last three starts. Additionally, the Blue Jays' bullpen has allowed a .329 wOBA to right-handed hitters this month, second-highest in the American League.
UTILITY
Kendrys Morales, TOR vs. TEX ($7,200): Rangers starter A.J. Griffin surprised many with a solid opening month, but he's since regressed. The right-hander's wOBA allowed has risen from .265 to .379 this month, and he's also given up eight homers after surrendering only three in April. Lefty bats have been getting to him as well, as Griffin has given up a .368 wOBA, 6.12 xFIP (despite a modest .261 BABIP) and 38.0 percent hard contact rate. The switch-hitting Morales has posted a .334 wOBA against right-handed pitching at Rogers Centre, and seven of his eight homers have also come against that handedness. Rangers relievers have struggled against lefty bats as well, giving up a .338 wOBA, a 6.00 ERA and five homers to that handedness in May. Morales' .400 average over 13 career plate appearances against Griffin also furthers his case.
Starlin Castro, NYY vs. OAK ($6,900): All seven of Castro's homers have come against right-handed pitching, and he's posted a .394 wOBA against that handedness at Yankee Stadium. His struggles over the last five games have dropped his price some, but a further look at the numbers reveals that he may have just been on the wrong side of luck lately after a torrid start; despite a .111 average, .154 BABIP and .157 wOBA over that span, he's posted a 23.1 percent line drive rate and 53.8 percent hard contact rate. Meanwhile, A's starter Kendall Graveman has a 5.09 ERA in 23.0 road innings, and he has allowed a .324 wOBA and 41.3 percent hard contact rate to righty bats away from Oakland Alameda Coliseum.
