This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHERS:
Taijuan Walker, ARI at NYM ($15,000):- The Mets check in with a 26.1 percent strikeout rate, .276 wOBA and NL-low .195 average against right-handed pitching at home over the last 21 days. Walker has actually been better on the road, posting a solid 3.30 ERA and 8.40 K/9 over 60 innings outside of Chase Field. While he's admittedly had a couple of sub-par outings his last two times out, Walker had scored between 14.50 and 22.55 fantasy points his four starts prior, making him a viable GPP play at his reasonable price.
Eduardo Rodriguez, BOS at CLE ($14,400):- Rodriguez takes on an Indians squad that's posted a .238 wOBA, 23.6 percent strikeout rate, .185 average and 44 wRC+ against southpaws at home over the last three weeks. Rodriguez boasts a solid .211 BAA and .297 wOBA allowed in 55 innings outside of Fenway Park, and he has a 3.12 ERA, .209 BAA and .263 wOBA allowed in his last three starts.
INFIELD
Paul Goldschmidt, ARI at NYM ($10,800):- Goldschmidt owns a .427 wOBA, .288 ISO, 26.1 percent HR/FB rate and 43.6 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching, as well as a .434 wOBA and 45.1 percent hard contact rate in his 77 August plate appearances. Mets starter Robert Gsellman has been vulnerable to righty bats, especially at home, where they've posted a .412 wOBA, 20.7 percent HR/FB rate and 35.2 percent hard contact rate against him.
Brian Dozier, MIN at CWS ($8,700):- Dozier owns a .459 wOBA (including eight homers) and .370 ISO in 85 August plate appearances. He's also punished lefties on the season for a .429 wOBA and .273 ISO, along with a 39.5 percent hard contact rate when facing them on the road. White Sox southpaw Carlos Rodon has allowed a .385 wOBA, 5.03 xFIP, 2.55 HR/9, 29.4 percent HR/FB rate and 35.3 percent hard contact rate to righty bats at Guaranteed Rate Field, while White Sox relievers have a 7.64 ERA and have allowed a .473 wOBA, including five homers, to right-handed hitters at home in the last three weeks.
Kurt Suzuki, ATL vs. SEA ($6,400):- Following another homer Saturday, Suzuki now owns a .423 wOBA, .362 ISO, 26.1 percent HR/FB rate and 52.1 percent hard contact rate in 62 second-half plate appearances. He's also managed a .514 wOBA, .514 ISO, 27.8 percent HR/FB rate and 50.0 percent hard contact rate against southpaws on the season, while Mariners starter Andrew Albers has allowed a .411 wOBA to righty bats over a very modest sample, and a .362 wOBA to that handedness over three-plus major-league seasons.
OUTFIELD
J.D. Martinez, ARI at NYM ($10,000):- Mets starter Robert Gsellman's struggles versus right-handed hitters at Citi Field were detailed earlier, while Martinez has a .359 wOBA, .289 ISO, 25.4 percent HR/FB rate and 42.0 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching.
Avisail Garcia, CWS vs. MIN ($8,000):- Garcia has been productive since his return from the DL on Aug. 8, posting a .417 wOBA over 40 plate appearances. He also boasts a .371 wOBA against right-handed pitching at home, while Twins starter Dillon Gee has allowed a .329 wOBA to righty bats on the road. Meanwhile, Twins relievers have a 4.64 ERA and have allowed a 35.3 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters on the road in the last three weeks.
Yasiel Puig, LAD at PIT ($6,600):- Puig owns a .368 wOBA, .255 ISO, 24.4 percent HR/FB rate and 35.8 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching, and a .556 average against Pirates starter Gerrit Cole in nine plate appearances. Cole has allowed 11 homers to righty bats this season, and a .334 wOBA in his last three starts. Pirates relievers also have a 5.52 ERA and have allowed a .354 wOBA and 41.1 percent hard contact rate to righty bats at home in the last 21 days.
UTILITY
Elvis Andrus, TEX at LAA ($9,900):- Andrus sports a .336 wOBA, .229 ISO and 33.3 percent hard contact rate against left-handed pitching on the road, and a .500 average against Angels starter Tyler Skaggs in 15 plate appearances. He's also posted a .409 wOBA and 39.4 percent hard contact rate in 83 August plate appearances, while Skaggs has allowed a .361 wOBA and 33.3 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters at home.
Adam Jones, BAL vs. OAK ($8,800):- Jones takes aim at A's starter Chris Smith, who's allowed a .405 wOBA, including six homers, and a 41.9 percent hard contact rate against righty bats at home. Jones owns a .325 wOBA and 31.7 percent hard contact rate against righties on the road, as well as a pair of homers off Smith in just six plate appearances.
