This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
After a very light Thursday, Friday has 15 games on the slate. However, the 6:40 PM ET game between the Padres and Reds has been excluded for contest purposes, meaning you have 14 games to work with, starting at 7:05 PM. That's not bad, although that Cincinnati-San Diego matchup would have been enticing. Instead, here are my recommendations for your lineup.
PITCHER
Carlos Rodon, CWS vs. LAA ($8,300): Rodon has finally come into his own this season. Though his strikeouts are down, he has a 2.89 ERA. Even better, at home his ERA is a sparkling 1.71. The Angels rank 14th in runs scored, which is neither good nor bad really, so with the way Rodon has pitched at home he's still a strong choice.
GPP Fade: David Price, BOS vs. HOU ($9,100): Price will be returning to the mound after missing a start with a wrist injury, bringing his 3.92 FIP with him. This is a hard matchup for him to be making his return in. The Astros are fourth in runs scored, and they are basically fully healthy at the moment as well.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Austin Gomber, STL at DET ($7,100): Gomber has been stellar recently, as he has a 1.55 ERA over his last five starts. Overall, he has a 2.77 ERA, although admittedly a lot of that was when he was pitching out of the bullpen. He will be going for his sixth straight win against a Tigers team that ranks 25th in runs scored.
CATCHER
Francisco Cervelli, PIT vs. MIA ($3,800): Cervelli certainly knows how how to get on base, as he has a .391 OBP. He's also hit 11 homers in 92 games, a personal best. Marlins starter Dan Straily has a 5.19 FIP, which bodes well for Cervelli.
FIRST BASE
Matt Davidson, CWS vs. LAA ($4,100): Davidson doesn't have a great batting average, but he's walked a lot more this year and he still has power. The 27-year-old has 20 homers in 108 games after hitting 26 last season. Felix Pena is a starter this season after spending most of his career in the bullpen, and he has a 4.18 FIP.
SECOND BASE
Joey Wendle, TAM vs. BAL ($4,100): Getting regular playing time for the first time in his career, Wendle has turned into a solid contributor for the Rays. He's been particularly good recently, as he's slashed .333/.371/.495 over his last 30 games. To make things even better for Wendle, Dylan Bundy is getting the start for the Orioles. He has an 8.46 ERA over his last 10 games.
THIRD BASE
Matt Chapman, OAK vs. TEX ($4,500): If you think Wendle has been hot recently, you should check out Chapman's numbers. The dark-horse MVP candidate has an 1.059 OPS over his last 30 contests with a whopping nine homers. He should be able to keep that torrid pace alive with Yovani Gallardo and his 7.24 road ERA on the mound for the Rangers.
SHORTSTOP
Yairo Munoz, STL at DET ($4,100): Munoz has been performing under the radar, but the rookie has slashed .284/.349/.440 through 89 games. He's also managed eight homers and five stolen bases. Daniel Norris has a 5.49 ERA for the Tigers. Though his action this season has been limited, he also had a 5.31 ERA last year.
OUTFIELD
Mallex Smith, TAM vs. BAL ($4,300): Smith is back from the disabled list, and he brings his .373 OBP with him. Though he doesn't show much power, the 25-year-old certainly has speed, as he's stolen 28 bases in 119 games. Dylan Bundy, for his part, has a 5.36 ERA this year to go along with his 4.55 career ERA.
Marcell Ozuna, STL at DET ($4,200): After a slow start, Ozuna has turned it around just in time to try and help the Cardinals make the playoffs. He has five homers in his last 30 games, and he has an 1.164 OPS over his last 14 contests on top of that. Daniel Norris, in addition to having a career FIP of 4.43, has allowed 1.26 homers per nine innings in his career as well.
Brian Anderson, MIA at PIT ($4,000): Anderson doesn't have a ton of power, he has 10 homers and a .396 slugging percentage, but he's still a good hitter. He has a .271 batting average and .353 OBP, and he hits both lefties and righties well. Chris Archer was a fine pitcher in Tampa, but now he's a Pirate, and things have gone less well in Pittsburgh. Since being traded he has a 5.40 ERA.
