This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
The night slate is not pretty on Wednesday with none of the pitching matchups truly standing out. Because of that, I went with a couple cheaper arms that could lead to a roster filled with expensive bats, especially from the Angels-Rangers game.
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PITCHER
Marco Estrada: TOR at BAL ($8,500): I had Jon Lester ($10,700) locked in, but figured Estrada can match his numbers at a cheaper price. He's faced two of the better lineups in the league (Yankees, Rangers) and escaped unscathed with only four earned runs and nine strikeouts in 13 innings. The Orioles are the opposite of those teams with a .254 wOBA and high 29.2 K% against righties in the early season.
GPP Fade: David Price, BOS vs. NYY ($11,900): The price seems outlandish compared to the rest of the slate. Sure, Price has returned to form in his first two starts, but it's important to note those both came against the Rays and he only had 10 total strikeouts. The Yankees have a team 17.1 K% against lefties in addition to a .335 wOBA.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Nick Pivetta, PHI vs. CIN ($8,200): The Phillies are a slight favorite and Pivetta is coming off a solid performance in which he struck out nine in 5.2 innings. That strikeout potential is key against the Reds, which haven't hit well this season with a .297 wOBA against righties to go with a 23.5 K%. Pivetta has some downside as seen in his first outing, but he was much better at home last season with a 3.67 xFIP (compared to 4.81 on the road) and that's how his first two games have gone.
CATCHER
Martin Maldonado, LAA at TEX ($2,900): There's a chance Rene Rivera ($2,800) starts this one behind the plate so keep an eye on that. This game has the highest over/under of the night slate by two runs (10.5) so a good portion of my bats will come between these teams. Maldonado has had a decent start to the season, although hasn't faced many southpaws. Given how Matt Moore has pitched in his first two outings (7.1 IP, 9 ER), anyone can by considered from the Angels.
FIRST BASE
Albert Pujols, LAA at TEX ($3,600): After a down 2017, Pujols has started this season looking 10 years younger with his .324 wOBA closer to career numbers. He still doesn't have a hit against a lefty, but only has four plate appearances and that will change in this game. Moore has given up all of his hits to righties in 2018 and that's in line with last season's numbers highlighted by a 5.06 xFIP.
SECOND BASE
Asdrubal Cabrera, NYM at MIA ($3,200): This price is a bit surprising given the situation. Cabrera is crushing everyone right now, especially lefties. While he's just 5-for-9 against them, he's picked up where he left 2017 with a .407 wOBA. Jarlin Garcia has already pitched 10 innings this season and given up only 10 hits, but this is his first start. That makes him harder to trust, especially with an early 5.14 xFIP against righties, which is near last year's 5.76 xFIP in 25 innings.
THIRD BASE
Adrian Beltre, TEX vs. LAA ($3,200): Opposite of Matt Moore is Jaime Barria in his major-league debut. He's a high-end prospect, but is only starting because of injury and was pushed around in the spring for nine hits and five runs in 9.1 innings. At 39 years old, Beltre isn't letting up with a hit in his last five games. He has an early .339 wOBA against righties and if anyone were to get the best of a rookie, it'd be him.
SHORTSTOP
Andrelton Simmons, LAA at TEX ($3,500): Here's another cheap righty to use against Moore. Simmons is having success against all pitchers, but he is 6-of-11 against southpaws and is a guy that rarely strikes out as seen in last season's 11.8 K%. Moore is giving up tons of contact with an early 6.10 xFIP against righties and the numbers point to that continuing against the Angels.
OUTFIELD
Shin-Soo Choo, TEX vs. LAA ($3,500): Choo is another Ranger that can cause problems for rookie pitcher Barria. Choo has coasted through the first couple weeks with a .401 wOBA and .323 ISO standing out against righties in 35 plate appearances. You can't do much better at this price.
Derek Dietrich, MIA vs. NYM ($2,900): There's little reason to trust Zack Wheeler in his first start of the season so I'll go with a guy that has had a hit in all but one game this season. Wheeler had an up-and-down 2017 that featured a 4.40 xFIP and .364 wOBA allowed against lefty bats. Even better, Dietrich isn't striking out against righties (12.1 K%) to go with a .385 wOBA in 33 plate appearances this season.
Odubel Herrera, PHI vs. CIN ($3,900): Things haven't gone smoothly for Luis Castillo already with 10 earned runs and 12 hits allowed through 10 innings. There's still plenty of hope for him to have a big year, but until he turns things around, it's logical to go against him. Herrera is one of a few options and has an early .402 wOBA against righties in 18 plate appearances.
