This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
PITCHER
Joe Musgrove, HOU at OAK ($6,500): As a 23-year-old rookie, there have certainly been ups and downs for Musgrove, but the underlying numbers are good: 3.97 xFIP, 22.5 percent K-rate. The biggest concern is his 1.63 HR/9 allowed. Traveling from the home-run friendly environment in Houston to one of the toughest hitting environments in the game in Oakland should help, along with the fact that since the All-Star break the Athletics are in the bottom half of the league in both wRC+ and ISO. When you combine his minor League and major League numbers this season, Musgrove has pitched 135 innings with 134 strikeouts and a 3.47 ERA.
Archie Bradley, ARI at SD ($7,400): The Padres rank second-worst in wRC+ (80) and last in K-rate (25.9 percent) over the second half of the season. With a 5.07 ERA, Bradley shouldn't be seen as a safe option, but that volatility can be beneficial if he finds himself toward the top side of the potential range of outcomes. He walks guys too much (10.5 percent BB rate), but his 21.1 percent K rate and 4.38 xFIP foretell upside.
CATCHER
Yadier Molina, STL at COL ($3,700): In the pursuit to save a few bucks at catcher, Molina at Coors Field against a lefty is solid. He doesn't offer a lot of power, but he has a 111 wRC+ against lefties this season. The abundant outfield space in Denver will allow Molina's contact hitting to take advantage, ideally finding the gaps for multiple hits.
FIRST BASE
Anthony Rizzo, CHC vs. CIN ($5,500): Given the value available at pitcher, I don't mind paying up at the most offensively gifted infield position. Opposing starter Josh Smith has faced 162 left-handed batters in the majors and has allowed a 5.96 xFIP and 2.56 HR/9. Against an offense as strong as the Cubs, that's not going to get it done. When Smith is done, the Reds' bullpen has allowed the most runs in baseball, while the entire staff has given up the most home runs in a season in major league history.
SECOND BASE
Rougned Odor, TEX vs. LAA ($4,700): The Angels will be starting a newer pitching acquisition in right-hander Daniel Wright, who spent the majority of the season with the Reds' Triple-A affiliate where he posted a 6.13 ERA. In 23 innings at the major league level this season, his ERA is 7.04. The Rangers are solidly favorited in a massive 10.5-run over/under game, and over the second half of the season, Odor has a 121 wRC+ and .255 ISO.
THIRD BASE
Jedd Gyorko, STL at COL ($3,900): Gyorko has 19 home runs in the second half of the season and his .301 ISO since July 18 is beyond even the most optimistic of expectations. To make it even better, his BABIP during that span is just .230, fueled partially by his fly ball tendencies. But a 125 wRC+ despite a low .230 BABIP means there is even more upside – or at the least his success is probably being understated. Over his career, his wRC+ against lefties is 20 points higher than against righties, and he'll now face southpaw Jorge De La Rosa at Coors Field.
SHORTSTOP
Manny Machado, BAL vs. BOS ($4,700): A faux good performance in Oakland three starts ago gave the illusion that Eduardo Rodriguez might be on the up-and-up. After lasting just 2.1 innings against the Yankees last time out, most of that optimism has been put to bed. That being said, you wouldn't know it by looking at the prices of the Orioles' hitters. Does DraftKings use BvP? Rodriguez pitched four scoreless innings against Baltimore in August, and in June he gave up five runs while lasting 4.1 innings. Machado has been the team's top hitter against lefties with a 147 wRC+.
OUTFIELD
Randal Grichuk, STL at COL ($4,200): After spending some time at Triple-A earlier this season, Grichuk had a 166 wRC+ in August, and he has a 132 wRC+ this month. He has seen a power surge in the second half of the season, with a .316 ISO, including .448 in August. The Cardinals are projected to score over six runs at Coors Field against southpaw Jorge De La Rosa and his 5.22 ERA and 1.46 HR/9 allowed.
Jason Heyward, CHC vs. CIN ($3,000):It's been a terrible season at the plate for Heyward, who is hitting .230 with a 70 wRC+. However, over his last four games, he has seven hits (three for extra bases, including a home run Monday night). He has a solid 123 wRC+ against right-handed pitching in his career, and Josh Smith's struggles against lefties were detailed earlier.
Mark Trumbo, BAL vs. BOS ($4,300): Trumbo has one of the more bizarre lefty splits you'll see this season with a solid .232 ISO despite a .172 BABIP. Against righties this season, Trumbo has a 136 wRC+ and .288 ISO. Over the past three seasons, Trumbo's wRC+ splits against lefties have been 39, 33 and 64 points better than the split against righties. Things are going to eventually normalize towards the norm for Trumbo against lefties.
