This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
There are only four games on Thursday night, but there are still a couple viable pitchers and enough bats to make a lineup. There is rain expected all day in Boston, so if you take that route, make sure to have a backup plan.
PITCHER
Aaron Nola, PHI vs. WAS ($52): Nola faced the Nationals last time out and didn't have a great performance, yet still produced 21.7 fantasy points with 83 pitches. He's at home for this game, where he has vastly better numbers with a 30.2 K percentage and .230 wOBA allowed, compared to a 20.7 K percentage and .270 wOBA on the road. The Nationals have struggled against righties over the last month with a 22.6 K percentage, .131 ISO and .289 wOBA, some of the worst numbers in MLB.
Lance McCullers Jr., HOU at TB ($44): McCullers continues to allow runs (3.82 ERA), but since he usually goes at least six innings, he's reached 20 fantasy points in four of his last five starts. That should do the trick against the Rays, who are winning more, yet still struggling at the plate with a 23.9 K percentage, .132 ISO and .292 wOBA against righty arms in the last month.
CATCHER
Jorge Alfaro, PHI vs. WAS ($12): Since I went with the two most expensive pitchers, money has to be saved somewhere. Alfaro's at least getting on base (.413 BABIP against righties) even if the power isn't there. This is my first play against Tanner Roark, who has lost some control with 15 hits and 10 runs allowed in his last two starts, one of those coming against the Phillies. Backup catcher Andrew Knapp ($8) started in that game and hit a homer, and if he starts again, you can save more money.
FIRST BASE
Jesus Aguilar, MIL at CIN ($18): Since his hot start, Aguilar hasn't slowed down, with 14 of his 17 homers coming against righties, adding to his career .257 ISO. On the mound, Anthony DeSclafani has been mediocre in four starts this year and has given up a troubling five homers in 22 innings. When he was last healthy in 2016, he managed a 4.02 xFIP against righties.
SECOND BASE
Cesar Hernandez, PHI vs. WAS ($14): Hernandez's price is finally in good range for what he provides. He's more consistent against lefties but has more power against righties (7 2B, 8 HR). Most of Roark's issues have come against lefty bats this season, from a 1.52 HR/9 to a .341 wOBA allowed, which is only slightly better than last year's .356 mark.
THIRD BASE
Alex Bregman, HOU at TB ($24): Bregman is as big as it gets at third, partly because the cheap options are all iffy. Bregman hits all pitchers well with a .363 wOBA against righties and a .278 ISO against lefties. He'll face righty Ryne Stanek in the first inning and then likely lefty Ryan Yarbrough in his next couple at-bats. Stanek has decent numbers as an opener, but Yarbrough has a 4.54 xFIP against righty bats.
SHORTSTOP
Andrelton Simmons, LAA at BOS ($10): Brian Johnson is getting his second start of the year, and there's little reason to trust him. In his short career, he's been brutal with a .359 wOBA allowed to 234 righties faced. Simmons comes at a nice price with a .362 wOBA against southpaws so he at least can get on base…. For backup, there are a few other cheap options at shortstop led by Scott Kingery ($9).
OUTFIELD
Nick Williams, PHI vs. WAS ($15): Williams rested on Wednesday so he should be back in the lineup against Roark. Williams has provided a consistent bat against both lefty and righty arms, but a .212 ISO against righties is why he's a good play in this matchup. Roark already has eight losses, and his career 4.77 xFIP against lefty bats has been a problem in the first half of the season, allowing eight home runs.
Marwin Gonzalez, HOU at TB ($14): As a switch hitter, Gonzalez is a reasonable play against the Rays pitching. He roped a .397 wOBA against righties last year, which will help against Stanek, while this year's .349 BABIP will help against the lefty Yarbrough.
Chris Young, LAA at BOS ($7): For a cheap outfielder, Young is worth a look with three homers and two doubles in 44 at-bats against southpaws. Those numbers are a bit extreme, with a small sample this year, but Johnson has struggled against righties in the majors with a .344 BABIP allowed and 4.73 xFIP…. If rain is an issue, look to Tony Kemp ($9) or Billy Hamilton ($11).
