This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Starting Pitcher
Chris Archer ($10,600)
It would be easy to throw Max Scherzer in this spot against the team with the 10th highest strikeout rate and a middle-tier batting average against right-handers, but for the discount in price and ownership, Archer makes a lot of sense. He faces the Orioles, who have the third highest strikeout rate at 22.4 percent, along with the 15th best batting average. Archer has been striking out a ton of batters this season, so while the Orioles have some power to concern you, the strikeouts should be there along with the probable win as a hefty favorite.
Catcher
Stephen Vogt ($2,700)
Vogt at $2,700 is way too cheap for his profile. Both he and John Jaso are in play at this price. Vogt is the better tournament play because he has more home-run potential, though either of them are fine to roll out there. Vogt faces Jake Peavy, who has struggled with left-handed power bats this season. Vogt has a .395 wOBA against right-handed pitching this year and a ISO of .242. Those are elite numbers for a power hitter, especially out of the catcher position. For only $2,700, he provides a lot of bang for only a few bucks and makes it possible to fit in some top-tier pitching without sacrificing upside.
First Base
Mark Teixeira ($3,900)
First base is such a loaded position but Teixeira really stands out in this matchup. He faces Phil Hughes, who is an extreme fly ball pitcher that has already allowed 23 home runs in 123 innings. Teixeira has a .400 wOBA with an ISO of .338 against right-handed pitching this season. That's one of the highest ISO scores I have seen against any handedness in awhile and puts him in line to be one of the top home-run options on the day. Many will look to Joey Votto in Coors Field or Paul Goldschmidt and Adam Lind squaring off in Arizona, but it is likely you will see Tex underowned in a matchup that is every bit as good.
Second Base
Rougned Odor ($4,000)
Guys like Joe Panik, DJ LeMahieu and Ivan De Jesus will all be popular options, but the guy who has the best numbers in a good matchup is Odor. Odor has a wOBA of .371 with an ISO of .209. Those are some of the best power numbers you will find at the second base position Friday. The only other guy who is close is Brian Dozier, who is also a sneaky option if you want to pay up from the trio mentioned before. If you are looking for power upside then Dozier and Odor are your options. Odor has his preferred split, so he gets the top spot by a small margin.
Shortstop
Jhonny Peralta ($3,300)
Peralta is one of the best power bats available at the shortstop position outside of Troy Tulowitzki. His $3,300 price tag is very doable for a guy with a great matchup. He faces Manny Banuelos for a few at-bats at least. He's been tough and St. Louis has struggled with lefties. When they do face a lefty, Peralta tends to bat cleanup, as he is one of the better options they have against left-handed pitching. He has a wOBA of only .348, which is a tad low, but his ISO of .263 is one of the best you will find out of a shortstop. Home-run upside is what we look for in a cheaper bat for tournament upside, and at $3,300, Peralta is definitely one of those guys.
Third Base
Miguel Sano ($2,500)
This is one of the better value options of the day. Sano has not been in the majors for long, but his numbers have been pretty solid since his call-up. He faces Michael Pineda, who has allowed a .280 batting average to right-handed bats this season. In only 39 major league at-bats, Sano has a wOBA of .522 with an ISO of .310. Those are about the same numbers that Bryce Harper is putting up against right-handed pitching to give you a comparison of how good he has looked early on. He has picked up three walks in his last two games, as teams are being very cautious how they pitch to him. He will likely fly under the radar in a same-handed matchup, but all the stars are aligned for him Friday.
Outfield
Ryan Raburn ($2,200)
Whether you want a stud pitcher or some of the Coors Field bats Friday, you are going to need to use some value options. Raburn is a guy who could help you fit in those big ticket items and still provide a nice return. He faces Jose Quintana, who has allowed right-handed bats to hit over .300 against him this season. Raburn tends to find himself in the heart of the order against left-handed pitching. He has a .397 wOBA and a .240 ISO against left-handed pitching this year, so this is as good a matchup as any for him.
J.D. Martinez ($4300)
The Tigers are expected to put up some runs Friday against Rick Porcello and Martinez should be a part of that. Porcello has allowed a .287 batting average to right-handers this year with seven homers in 50 innings. Martinez has a .393 wOBA and a ISO of .295. If anyone has a chance to rack up multiple hits or go yard against Porcello, it is definitely him.
Preston Tucker ($3400)
He is no longer cheap and no longer a secret, but Tucker is always a guy to consider when Houston faces a right-handed pitcher. He tends to find himself in the two hole, sandwiched between Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa. He has a .387 wOBA with an ISO of .268, so he is hitting for average and power. He jacked two homers two days back in a matchup with a right-hander and now Jeremy Guthrie, who has been one of the worst pitchers in baseball against left-handed batters. $3,400 is more expensive than Tucker has been, but it still is not particularly expensive for a guy who has numbers this good.
