This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Monday's main slate is full of pitchers who haven't lived up to expectations recently, which could make bargain hunting a viable option. Players can use the money they save with this strategy to capitalize on the numerous strong matchups that are available for hitters.
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Pitcher
Clayton Kershaw, LAD at SD ($12,900): The Dodgers have moved Kershaw along slowly after his return from the disabled list but he is expected to have free reign in the matchup against the Padres, who hold a bottom-10 wOBA against left-handed pitching. It is also worth noting that they strike out against southpaws at a 24.4 percent clip. Kershaw has notched a 25.7 percent strikeout rate this season while sporting a 2.86 ERA in 63 innings.
GPP Fade: Frankie Montas, OAK at HOU ($8,900): Montas' strikeout pitch seems to have abandoned him in his time with the big club this season, as he has fanned just 28 batters in 42.1 innings. The 25-year-old has put up negative DraftKings points in two of his last five starts, with one of those outings coming last month against the Astros. Things shouldn't be any easier this time around, as Houston has notched the third-highest wOBA against right-handed pitching in 2018.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Danny Duffy, KC at MIN ($5,800): Duffy has been a picture of inconsistency this season but has shown the ability to have good performances, as he has posted at least 23.3 DraftKings points in three of his last five starts. He has struck out seven or more hitters in each of those outings. Duffy should have an opportunity to put up another strong score against the Twins, who have logged a bottom-10 wOBA against left-handed pitching while striking out 24 percent of the time.
Catcher
Sandy Leon, BOS vs. TEX ($3,100): Leon hasn't shown the power against lefties that we have seen from him in past years but should still make for a nice value play against Mike Minor due to the 42.3 percent hard contact rate he has notched against southpaws in 33 at-bats. Minor had a nice run in June but has allowed a .475 slugging percentage and a 43.5 percent hard contact rate against opposite-handed hitters in 74.2 innings.
First Base
C.J. Cron, TB vs. DET ($3,700): Opposing starter Francisco Liriano hasn't had much success in 2018, as evidenced by the -8.6 RAA he has registered with his fastball in 73.2 innings. Cron has tallied an 8.5 RAA against the heater this season while logging a .220 ISO versus left-handed pitchers in 91 at-bats.
Second Base
Daniel Robertson, TB vs. DET ($3,500): We will stay in Tampa Bay for another low-cost option in the infield, as Robertson has logged a .212 ISO and a .363 wOBA in 66 at-bats against left-handed pitching. Liriano has put up serviceable numbers against righties this season but a 42:33 K/BB ratio over 57.1 innings has contributed to a 5.26 xFIP.
Third Base
Jeimer Candelario, DET at TB ($3,800): Candelario had a rough month of June but still boasts a .192 ISO against right-handed pitching to go along with an 8.2 RAA against the fastball. This should pay dividends against the returning Chris Archer, who has allowed a .480 slugging percentage against lefty hitters and possesses a heater that has yielded a -5.8 RAA.
Shortstop
Tyler Saladino, MIL at MIA ($3,400): Saladino has shown unexpected power this season, notching a .368 ISO against righty hurlers in 38 at-bats. Small sample caveats apply but players shouldn't overlook this kind of power at shortstop, particularly against a starter like Jose Urena, who has allowed a 40 percent hard contact rate against righty hitters.
Outfield
Michael Brantley, CLE vs. CIN ($4,700):Anthony DeSclafani has had trouble keeping the ball in the park against lefties in 2018, allowing five homers and a .533 slugging percentage in 16.1 innings. Brantley has done the majority of his damage against righties this year, logging a .207 ISO and a .379 wOBA in 227 at-bats.
Matt Adams, WAS at PIT ($4,200): The Nationals will likely always find a way to get Adams' bat in the lineup against righties due to the .304 ISO and .413 wOBA he has notched in 138 at-bats. He has kept a 9.2 RAA against the fastball in 61 games. Ivan Nova has struggled in 2018, allowing a .516 slugging percentage to lefty hitters and tallying a -8.3 RAA with his heater.
Joc Pederson, LAD at SD ($4,500): Opposing starter Luis Perdomo has had a slow start to his season, logging a 6.86 ERA in five starts. He has allowed a .511 slugging percentage in 10.2 innings against lefty batters over that span. Meanwhile, Pederson has notched a robust .319 ISO as well as a .399 wOBA in 182 at-bats against righty pitchers.
