This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
PITCHERS:
Gio Gonzalez, WAS at MIA ($21,600):- Gonzalez has allowed just a .218 average and .286 wOBA in 72 road innings, a tally that includes an eight-strikeout effort against this same squad at Marlins Park back on June 20. Meanwhile, while the Marlins do have a .370 wOBA against southpaws over the last two weeks at home, it's largely the result of an unsustainable .458 BABIP. Their 33.3 percent strikeout rate and anemic 23.1 percent hard contact rate against lefties over that same span are more indicative of their actual proficiency versus that handedness, as is the .292 wOBA they sport against left-handers at home when looking back a full month.
Mike Clevinger, CLE at BOS ($15,200):- Clevinger has been most effective on the road, where he has a 2.15 ERA and sports a .158 BAA and .246 wOBA over 37.2 innings. The Red Sox have a majors-worst .259 wOBA and 47 wRC+ against right-handed pitching at home in the last month, along with a 26.2 percent strikeout rate and 29.1 percent hard contact rate. While he faltered at home against the Angels in his last start, Clevinger had scored between 22.50 and 27.10 fantasy points in his previous four starts, with two of those having come on the road.
INFIELD
Eric Hosmer, KC at BAL ($9,600):- Hosmer has compiled a season-best .420 wOBA and 34.6 percent hard contact rate in July, and boasts a .377 wOBA, 24.0 percent HR/FB rate and 33.0 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching. Meanwhile, Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez has allowed a .454 wOBA, 2.98 HR/9, 25.0 percent HR/FB rate and 35.0 percent hard contact rate to lefty bats at Camden yards. Furthermore, he's had plenty of struggles against Hosmer, having allowed a .367 average, including two homers and seven RBI, in 38 plate appearances. Orioles relievers also have a 5.23 ERA to left-handed hitters at home in the last month.
Marcus Semien, OAK vs. SF ($8,400):- Semien seems to be hitting his stride at the plate, as evidenced by his .371 wOBA in the 63 plate appearances he's logged over the last two weeks. That stretch includes a .360 wOBA against right-handed pitching, while Giants starter Matt Cain has allowed a .363 wOBA and 6.04 xFIP to righty bats on the road.
Danny Valencia, SEA at TEX ($6,000):- Valencia is always worth a roll of the dice in tournaments against a lefty, even when that southpaw is Cole Hamels. Valencia actually owns a solid .294 average against Hamels in 18 plate appearances and a .414 wOBA, .324 ISO, 37.5 percent HR/FB rate and 50.0 percent hard contact rate against southpaws on the road. Hamels has allowed a 5.13 xFIP to right-handed hitters overall, and a 41.0 percent hard contact rate when facing them at Globe Life Park.
OUTFIELD
Michael Brantley, CLE at BOS ($9,600):- Brantley checks in with a .367 average, including two homers and five RBI, in 32 plate appearances versus Red Sox starter Doug Fister, who's allowed a .564 wOBA, 9.34 xFIP and 35.0 percent hard contact rate to lefty bats at Fenway Park. Brantley owns a .368 wOBA versus right-handed pitching, along with a 41.1 percent hard contact rate against them on the road.
Lorenzo Cain, KC at BAL ($8,800):- Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez has had his share of struggles versus right-handed hitters as well, allowing a .403 wOBA, 2.84 HR/9, 5.28 xFIP and 40.9 percent hard contact rate to that handedness at home. Cain owns a .339 wOBA and 30.5 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching, and a .450 average, including a homer and five RBI, against Jimenez in 22 plate appearances.
Jaycob Brugman, OAK vs. SF ($4,800):- Brugman makes for a viable punt play against Giants starter Matt Cain, who's surrendered a .463 wOBA, 2.70 HR/9 and 6.71 xFIP to left-handed hitters on the road. Brugman owns a .363 wOBA over 61 July plate appearances and a .351 wOBA and 24.2 percent line drive rate against right-handed pitching at home. Giants relievers have also allowed a .333 wOBA to lefty bats on the road in the last month.
UTILITY:
Justin Smoak, TOR at CWS ($9,600):- White Sox starter James Shields has a 9.00 ERA and has allowed a .426 wOBA in four July starts, while also yielding a .482 wOBA, 3.72 HR/9, 9.19 xFIP and 32.5 percent hard contact rate to left-handed hitters at home. Smoak owns a .402 wOBA, .313 ISO, 26.7 percent HR/FB rate and 41.2 percent hard contact rate against right-handed pitching in what has been a breakout season, and he boasts a season-best 50.7 percent hard contact rate in July.
Ryan Zimmerman, WAS at MIA ($9,000):- After an extensive long-ball drought, Zimmerman is mashing again, having hit four homers in the last three games. He boasts a .393 wOBA, .260 ISO, 26.5 percent HR/FB rate and 40.3 percent hard contact against righties, while Marlins starter Jose Urena has allowed a .366 wOBA and 4.96 xFIP to right-handed hitters at home. Zimmerman has feasted on Marlins pitching overall this season, slashing .364/.391/.727 with two homers and five RBI over 23 plate appearances, and Marlins relievers have allowed a .335 wOBA and 40.4 percent hard contact rate to righty bats at home in the last month.
