This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHER
Trevor Bauer, CLE vs. BOS ($16,000): Any time I back a high-end pitcher, it seems to backfire (Chris Sale's last start), so Bauer is my pick against Sale ($26,400). The price difference is enormous even though Bauer has at least 20 fantasy points in his last five starts. And while the Red Sox are a huge favorite, Sale still allows runs with his strikeouts and was lit up for seven against Cleveland last time. I'll take the much cheaper Bauer, despite being an underdog.
Jake Arrieta, CHC at CIN ($19,800): Even though the Reds have good bats against righties, Arrieta's consistency is too hard to pass up at a cheaper rate. He's reached at least 18 fantasy points and six innings in his last seven starts with a couple of those coming against solid teams. I'd much rather go cheap with Arrieta instead of someone like Carlos Martinez or Dallas Keuchel against the Nationals.
INFIELD
Eduardo Escobar, MIN at CWS ($7,600):Derek Holland is on the mound against the Twins and has a .410 wOBA allowed and 5.98 xFIP against righties. Escobar has worse numbers against lefties, but has faced more of them and still has a .322 wOBA in his last 35 at-bats. To help buyer's confidence, he has 11 hits in his last nine games.
Jorge Polanco, MIN at CWS ($7,200): In that same mold, I'm going slightly cheaper with Polanco, who has a .359 wOBA against lefties since the All-Star break. A lot of that is seen in recent games as he has a homer in each of the last four. As for the infamous Holland, he has negative fantasy points in his last three starts and has given up 20 runs in his last four.
Nicky Delmonico, CWS vs. MIN ($7,200): I'm all about this kid in a good spot, as Jose Berrios has been the opposite of consistent on the mound. Despite a recent solid showing, he allowed 11 runs in his previous two starts and has a 5.29 xFIP against lefties. Delmonico is roping in his limited time with a .460 wOBA and .308 ISO in 58 plate appearances against righties.
OUTFIELD
Dexter Fowler, STL vs. SD ($9,600): Not many batters have been better against righties than Fowler lately, as he's sporting a .519 wOBA and .357 ISO in his last 38 plate appearances. Luis Perdomo has eight walks in his last three starts and is much worse against lefties with a 5.01 xFIP and minimal 12.7 K%.
Shin-Soo Choo, TEX at LAA ($9,300): Choo's numbers aren't outstanding, but an August .342 wOBA against righties will do against Troy Scribner. In limited outings, Scribner's been fine, but he still doesn't provide much of anything with only nine strikeouts in 13.0 IP in the majors. It's doubtful he'll make it out of the fifth inning against the Rangers.
Byron Buxton, MIN at CWS ($8,800): With this game having the highest over/under on a six-game slate, it's okay to go all-in against one pitcher. Buxton is a model of consistency having hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games to go with a .449 wOBA in his last 29 plate appearances against lefties. Holland's been so bad that he was relegated to a relief role in his last appearance, giving up three runs in 0.1 IP.
UTILITY
Yoan Moncada, CWS vs. MIN ($6,800): Still coming in at a nice price, Moncada is an easy choice with a .431 wOBA and .265 ISO in his last 44 plate appearances against righties. Strikeouts remain his downfall, but Berrios has slipped in that aspect somewhat, mainly due to a worse 19.1 K% against lefties.
Kolten Wong, STL vs. SD ($7,200): Wong has better numbers against lefties, but I'll take a spin with him against Perdomo. Even then, Wong has a solid .345 wOBA and better .140 ISO against righties. Perdomo may make it six innings, but he's given up 19 runs in his last five starts.
