This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHERS:
Ivan Nova, PIT at PHI ($16,800):- The Phillies have struck out at a 25.8 percent clip and posted an unspectacular .307 wOBA against right-handed pitching at home over the last month. Nova has lost some luster by struggling some over his last two starts, but he hasn't truly been blown out of the water in any game this season. He brings plenty of upside as well, having scored over 20 fantasy points on four occasions and over 40 in yet another start this season. Furthermore, he turned in a solid 15.10 fantasy points in his one previous start against the Phillies this season. On a night where there aren't any clear-cut elite options (and Coors Field is on the slate), he makes for one of the safer choices at your disposal.
Adam Wainwright, STL vs. MIA ($16,400):- Wainwright is another mid-tier-priced selection whose appeal gets a slight bump with the lack of options at the top. He's actually been excellent over his last two starts, scoring 21.35 and 24.85 fantasy points against the Pirates and Diamondbacks, respectively. To be clear, Wainwright's performances have run the gamut this season, as he's also scored negative fantasy points on three occasions. However, he appears to be an upswing if his last two starts are any indication, and he's posted a 2.64 ERA while allowing just a .294 wOBA and 25.7 percent hard contact over 47.2 home innings. Furthermore, the Marlins check in with just a .291 wOBA in their 104 road plate appearances against right-handers over the last 15 days.
INFIELD
Joey Votto, CIN at COL ($11,200):- Votto's body of work over the last 10 games includes a .406 average, .515 wOBA, .375 ISO, 1.294 OPS and 221 wRC+ over 39 plate appearances, as well as double-digit fantasy-point tallies in five of those contests. Meanwhile, Rockies right-hander Jeff Hoffman has been victimized frequently in his hitter-friendly home park, surrendering a .385 wOBA at Coors Field, and a 38.5 percent hard contact rate to lefty bats there. The Rockies bullpen hasn't been any better, giving up a .362 wOBA, 20.5 percent line drive rate and 44.4 percent hard contact rate to left-handed hitters at home over the last month. Votto is unsurprisingly punishing both handedness of pitcher and owns a .424 wOBA, .280 ISO, 25.4 percent line drive rate and 35.8 percent hard contact rate versus righty arms.
Rougned Odor, TEX vs. BOS ($8,100):- Odor's bat may finally be awakening after a season-long funk, as he's posted a .453 wOBA (including two homers), .353 ISO and 40.0 percent hard contact rate over his last five games. He owns a .217 ISO against right-handed pitching on the season as well, along with an impressive 41.5 percent hard contact rate versus that handedness at Globe Life Park. Meanwhile, Red Sox starter Rick Porcello has given up a .360 wOBA, 4.97 xFIP, 23.5 percent line drive rate and 49.3 percent hard contact rate to lefty bats on the road, and a .667 average, double, triple and four RBI to Odor in nine career plate appearances.
Steve Pearce, TOR at NYY ($6,800):- Pearce always makes for a solid bargain bat whenever he's in the lineup, and the matchup against Masahiro Tanaka shapes up as a favorable one for him. Tanaka has given up a .394 wOBA, six homers, 25.0 percent line drive rate and a 34.4 percent hard contact rate to right-handed hitters at Yankee Stadium, while Pearce checks into Monday with a .350 wOBA, .216 ISO, 31.0 percent line drive rate and 37.9 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching outside of Rogers Centre. A modest but successful history against Tanaka that includes a .417 average and a pair of solo homers over 12 career plate appearances is icing on the cake.
OUTFIELD
Mookie Betts, BOS at TEX ($10,200):- Betts made headlines with an eight-RBI day out of the leadoff spot Sunday, but that's not the only factor in tabbing him as a high-end outfield option Monday. The outfielder's bat has been hot over the last 10 games overall, a stretch in which he's posted a .461 wOBA, .300 ISO, 1.133 OPS and 35.1 percent hard contact rate. Betts also owns a .358 wOBA, .246 ISO and 38.9 percent hard contact rate against southpaws, and a .444 average in nine career plate appearances versus Rangers starter Martin Perez. The Rangers' southpaw has also yielded a .377 wOBA, 5.13 xFIP, 28.8 percent line drive rate and 38.9 percent hard contact rate to righty hitters at Globe Life Park, furthering Betts' case.
Ben Gamel, SEA vs. KC ($8,100):- Royals starter Ian Kennedy has actually been relatively effective despite an unsightly won-loss record, but he's struggled against lefty bats on the road. Kennedy has surrendered a .344 wOBA, five homers, a 6.27 xFIP and 49.1 percent hard contact rate to left-handed hitters outside of Kaufmann Stadium, while Gamel boasts a .374 wOBA versus righty arms, along with a 30.2 percent line drive rate when facing that handedness at Safeco Field. Meanwhile, the Royals bullpen has surrendered a 7.71 ERA, .347 wOBA, 25.0 percent line drive rate and 32.1 percent hard contact rate to lefty bats on the road over the last month.
Gregory Polanco, PIT at PHI ($6,300):- Polanco's underwhelming campaign is reflected in his bargain price, but he makes for a viable cost-savings play against Phillies starter Aaron Nola on Monday. Nola's main weakness is against left-handed bats, as he's surrendered a .341 wOBA (including .364 at home) and 4.57 xFIP to that handedness, along with a 20.7 percent line drive rate and 34.5 percent hard contact rate when facing them at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies bullpen has also had their share of troubles against left-handed hitting at home in the last month, surrendering an NL-high 5.68 ERA and .398 wOBA over that span. Polanco has also been showing some signs of life over the past five games, posting a .409 wOBA, .294 ISO and 35.3 percent hard contact rate in 19 plate appearances, and he's hit three homers off righties in the last 10 games.
UTILITY:
Jedd Gyorko, STL vs. MIA ($9,000):- Gyorko owns a .370 wOBA and .267 ISO versus southpaws, along with a 38.5 percent hard contact rate when facing them at home. He's also touched up Marlins starter Jeff Locke for a .455 average, two homers and seven RBI over 12 career plate appearances, while Locke has surrendered a 5.02 xFIP and 32.7 percent hard contact rate on the road. The Marlins bullpen has been very giving to right-handed hitters on the road in the last month as well, giving up a .373 wOBA, 25.8 percent line drive rate and 30.9 percent hard contact rate to that handedness over a 100-batter sample.
Adrian Beltre, TEX vs. BOS ($7,500):- Red Sox starter Rick Porcello has also struggled against right-handed bats, including a .369 wOBA, 25.9 percent line drive rate and 40.2 percent hard contact rate surrendered to that handedness on the road. Beltre has been outstanding at Globe Life Park overall after a late start to his season, posting a .406 wOBA, .216 ISO and 42.9 percent hard contact rate at home, including a .400 wOBA and .227 ISO against righties there. Beltre also boasts an extensive and successful history against Porcello, having compiled a .417 average, two doubles and a homer in 26 career plate appearances.
