This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
There's a decent night slate for the Fourth of July with one high-end pitcher (Trevor Bauer) dominating the discussion. If you roll with him, there are enough low-quality arms to go against with cheaper bats.
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PITCHER
Trevor Bauer, CLE at KC ($13,600): This is an easy play, but Bauer is worth it and has a good chance to reach 30 fantasy points. He's hit that mark in four of his last five starts and has at least eight strikeouts in his last seven outings. There's little reason to suggest the Royals will have success against Bauer with some of the worst numbers in the league against righties since June 1 with a .118 ISO and .249 wOBA.
GPP Fade: Lance McCullers, HOU at TEX ($11,500): McCullers has put together some nice outings, but he's faced the Rays and Royals in his last three starts. The Rangers have been one of the best in MLB against righties over the last month with a .178 ISO and .337 wOBA. While McCullers is favored, the over/under is at 10 runs and that doesn't make him worth the price.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Rich Hill, LAD vs. PIT ($8,700): Hill had one of his better starts of the year last time out en route to 28.2 fantasy points with 10 strikeouts. The potential is there, especially after posting a 3.32 ERA in 2017. The Pirates have struggled against southpaws in the last month with a 23.3 K%, .102 ISO and .287 wOBA.
CATCHER
Omar Narvaez, CWS at CIN ($2,800): Narvaez doesn't have power, but he gets on base against righties (.349 BABIP) and that's enough for the price. On the mound, Sal Romano has given up 15 hits and seven runs in his last two starts and he's worse against lefty bats with a career 4.88 xFIP.
FIRST BASE
Ian Desmond, COL vs. SF ($4,300): Even if you spend up at pitcher, Desmond can be used at a reasonable price with nine homers in 96 at-bats against southpaws to go with a career .341 wOBA. Andrew Suarez has looked better in recent starts, yet still has a .366 wOBA allowed to righties in his rookie season.
SECOND BASE
Jason Kipnis, CLE at KC ($3,800): Kipnis has improved in every month this year so there's hope his numbers continue to escalate. At the least, he sported a solid .200 ISO against righty arms last year and that could come in useful against Trevor Oaks, who is getting another start after serving in Triple-A for the past month. In his only start this season in April, he gave up 12 hits and five runs to the White Sox.
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez, CIN vs. CWS ($5,100): Suarez has better numbers against lefties, but he's still solid against righties with a .258 ISO this year and .348 wOBA last year. Those numbers could get even better against Dylan Covey, who has allowed 16 runs and six homers in his last three starts. Covey doesn't have many positive numbers with a 5.42 xFIP against righty bats over the last two years.
SHORTSTOP
Lourdes Gurriel Jr., TOR vs. NYM ($3,100): Gurriel could be slated for another start after hitting the game-winning homer on Tuesday. If not, Aledmys Diaz ($3,200) is in the same position. Gurriel has been better against righties with a .319 wOBA and a few homers. Most bats are worth a try against Corey Oswalt, who was smashed by the Marlins for six runs in his second major-league start.
OUTFIELD
Andrew McCutchen, SF at COL ($4,800): It hasn't been the greatest season for McCutchen after he roped a .360 ISO against lefties in 2017, but a .342 wOBA is still a good rate. He's in a good spot for success against Tyler Anderson, who hasn't been good at Coors Fields with a 5.26 ERA and 4.53 xFIP against righty bats.
Jesse Winker, CIN vs. CWS ($3,900): This is an ideal matchup for Winker, who owns a .378 wOBA against righties over the last two years. Everyone is ripping Covey as he allowed four home runs last time out. His 1.92 HR/9 and .371 wOBA allowed to lefty bats the last two years is getting worse every start.
Randal Grichuk, TOR vs. NYM ($3,700): Grichuk is a value outfielder after getting more at-bats in June due to a .342 wOBA against righty arms. His career .249 ISO is a good reason to back him, as well. Oswalt hasn't looked good in either of his first starts going a total of 7.1 innings with eight earned runs and three homers allowed.
