This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHER
Gio Gonzalez, WAS at NYM ($17,600): Instead of spending all my money on Chris Sale ($27,200), I opted for two pitchers that are slightly cheaper. Gonzalez's numbers aren't as good, but he's been consistent in reaching at least 17 fantasy points in his last four starts. The Mets have been worse against lefties lately with a .285 wOBA and 24.6 K% since May 1.
Jordan Montgomery, NYY at OAK ($16,800): Earlier in the year I was betting against Montgomery and now he's one of my favorite pitchers for Thursday. The rookie has allowed just four runs in his last four starts and has at least 14 fantasy points in all but one outing. That should continue against the Athletics, who have one of the higher K%s (25.4) against lefties with a .299 wOBA.
INFIELD
Nolan Arenado, COL vs. SF ($10,400): I'm going big from the start with Arenado, who has owned lefties this season with a .535 wOBA and .433 ISO. Matt Moore allowed four runs in each of his last two starts and gave up six in his visit to Coors Field back in April. With a 4.88 xFIP against righties, there's no reason to think Moore can last more than five innings in this game.
Brandon Belt, SF at COL ($8,700): Staying in that game, Jeff Hoffman has cruised through his last three starts, but all of those came on the road. In his only home start, he gave up three runs and only went 5.1 innings. Belt's .382 wOBA and .257 ISO against righties could work out nicely at Coors.
Logan Morrison, TB at DET ($8,400):Justin Verlander has had some issues, failing to get past six innings in three of his last four outings with only 15 strikeouts in that span. If anyone on the Rays is to capitalize on that, Morrison is the guy with a .384 wOBA and .340 ISO against righties.
OUTFIELD
Hanley Ramirez, BOS at PHI ($7,200): It's a must to use at least one Boston player against Nick Pivetta and Ramirez is on the cheaper side. Conveniently, Ramirez has been much better against righties with a .342 wOBA, which goes hand-in-hand with Pivetta's .428 wOBA allowed against righties. Pivetta has allowed at least three runs in four of his last five starts and only has one more strikeout (16) than walks (15) in his last four outings.
Cameron Maybin, LAA vs. KC ($9,200): Previously a relief pitcher, Matt Strahm is getting his first big-league start Thursday and it won't be easy. The southpaw hasn't had a ton of success in relief with a 5.41 xFIP against righties in 14.0 IP. As for Maybin, he's back from injury and still at the top of his game with a hit in all five June starts to go with a .417 wOBA against lefties since the beginning of May (24 plate appearances).
Jackie Bradley Jr., BOS at PHI ($8,400): I'll roll with the Red Sox again, partly due to Pivetta, but also with how Bradley is hitting. He has 10 hits in the last six games and has hit safely in 13 of the last 15. He hits lefties better overall, but given Pivetta's 5.17 xFIP against lefties, Bradley should continue his nice run of hitting.
UTILITY
DJ LeMahieu, COL vs. SF ($9,000): There's no reason to trust Moore in this game, and LeMahieu is primed to get a couple hits. LeMahieu is 5-for-11 against Moore in his career and got on base four times in the two matchups earlier this season. LeMahieu is sporting a .400 wOBA against lefties and that jumps to .446 in home games.
Jedd Gyorko, STL vs. MIL ($6,900): I like this spot for Gyorko against Zach Davies, who he has already crushed this season and is 9-of-13 against in his career. That makes sense because Gyorko has been better against righties with a .372 wOBA, while Davies has been slightly worse against righties with a .364 wOBA allowed.
