This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Thursday's seven-game slate is packed to the brim with hurlers who are more likely to be stack targets than DFS selections so it may behoove potential owners to play it safe and stick to the higher end of the price spectrum when selecting pitchers. Fortunately, this means that there should be plenty of offensive options for us to choose from.
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Pitcher
Clay Buchholz, ARI at SD ($9,500): It feels strange to consider Buchholz a relevant DFS option in 2018 but he has earned it, logging at least 22.2 fantasy points in three of his last five outings. The 34-year-old has been lights out on the road in 41.1 innings (2.18 ERA) and will have an opportunity to keep the ball rolling against the Padres, who have tallied the second lowest wOBA in the league against right-handed pitching (.289).
Cheap GPP Consideration, Julio Teheran, ATL vs. COL ($8,200): The short slate dictates that we spend a bit more in this spot than usual but prospective owners should feel confident in Teheran due to the .304 wOBA he has tallied against opposing hitters in 67.2 innings at home. The Rockies have plenty of firepower but have once again struggled away from Coors Field in 2018, notching a .298 wOBA and a 24.7 percent strikeout rate on the road.
GPP Fade, Tanner Roark, WAS at STL ($9,100): Roark may seem like an odd fade target as a result of the 1.84 ERA he has logged in his two starts this month but a look at his peripherals for those outings shows a 15.3 percent strikeout rate and a 4.25 xFIP over that span. Roark has showcased a solid, but unspectacular nine percent swinging strike rate this season which should tell us that while he may surprise with a nice performance every now and again, we shouldn't be relying on his ability to punch out hitters.
Catcher
Francisco Arcia, LAA at TEX ($3,600): Arcia is one half of what has been a power platoon at catcher for the Angels, having notched a .344 ISO in 32 at-bats against his opposite hand. Unlike his right-handed counterpart, Arcia hadn't shown much power in the minor leagues before coming to the big club but he is still worth a shot as a cheap option against Ariel Jurado, who has allowed five homers in 20.2 innings with the Rangers since being recalled from Double-A Frisco. He has struck out just eight batters over that span.
First Base
Tyler Austin, MIN vs. DET ($3,800): Austin has shown power against both righties and lefties this season but seems to be a more complete hitter against southpaws, as evidenced by the .298 ISO and .364 wOBA he has tallied in 57 at-bats. Meanwhile, opposing starter Francisco Liriano has issued 46 walks and allowed 12 homers to right-handed hitters in 74.1 innings.
Second Base
Devon Travis, TOR at KC ($3,800): Travis has gotten the chance to grab some more playing time of late due to injuries and has taken full advantage of the opportunity, logging a .200 ISO in 50 at-bats in August. He will square off against another unimpressive rookie hurler in Glenn Sparkman, who put up mediocre strikeout rates and ERAs throughout his minor league career before tallying a 5.06 ERA in 16 innings with the Royals. Third Base
David Freese, PIT vs. CHC ($4,200):Jon Lester has struggled mightily of late, having put up negative DraftKings points in three of his last five starts. He has allowed 27 runs (26 earned) in 22.2 innings since the All-Star break. Freese should be able to take advantage of Lester's poor form thanks to the 8.8 RAA he has registered against the fastball and the 43.4 percent hard contact rate he has tallied against left-handed pitching in 97 at-bats.
Shortstop
Adalberto Mondesi, KC vs. TOR ($4,300):Sam Gaviglio is the owner of the second least effective fastball in the league among pitchers who have thrown at least 80 innings (-17.5 RAA). Mondesi has notched a 3.8 RAA against the heater and should be able to use his speed once he gets on base, as Gaviglio has allowed 11 stolen bases in his 18 games (16 starts) this season.
Outfield
Niko Goodrum, DET at MIN ($3,800): Goodrum may get lost as a DFS option in Detroit but the 26-year-old has shown good power against right-handed pitching, tallying a .224 ISO in 241 at-bats. Ervin Santana has had a rocky start to his season after missing extended time due to a finger injury. The former All-Star has surrendered a .551 slugging percentage to lefty hitters in 13.1 innings since his return.
Kyle Schwarber, CHC at PIT ($4,100):Ivan Nova has been hit hard by left-handed batters in 2018, surrendering a .525 slugging percentage and a .364 wOBA in 60 innings. Schwarber hasn't quite returned to the level he debuted at in 2015 but has still shown plenty of power against right-handed pitchers, logging a .257 ISO in 280 at-bats.
Kole Calhoun, LAA at TEX ($4,400): Calhoun may have cooled off a bit since his torrid stretch in July but has still posted a .250 ISO and .387 wOBA in 52 August at-bats. The Angels will be throwing a bullpen game in the other dugout Thursday which makes this contest a juicy one to target at Globe Life Park.
