FanDuel Price: $4,500
At first glance, it appears that Manny Machado is rebounding from last season's disappointing (for his standards) year. However, with a closer look, it appears that Machado has been more lucky than good to start the 2018 season.
Machado's batting average on balls in play (BABIP) is .368, well above both his career mark of .302 and his 2017 mark of .265. The strangest part about this is that Machado has actually made softer contact in 2018. So far, Machado has just a 22.0% hard-hit rate, which is a steep dip from his rate of 39.5% a year ago. Machado is also swinging and missing more often -- his 11.3% swinging-strike rate would be the highest of his career since his cup of coffee in 2012.
Even if the above stats are just noise from a small early-season sample, Machado has to deal with tough Boston Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. Rodriguez has only made one start on the season since coming off the disabled list, but he proved that he is back to full health. Rodriguez struck out 38.9% of the batters he faced in his first start, and while that mark certainly won't last for the full season, Rodriguez reestablished himself on the mound and should be comfortable heading into Friday night.
Rodriguez is also rare in that, as a lefty, he is tougher on right-handed batters than left-handed batters. Left-handed hitters have a .338 wOBA against Rodriguez, while he holds right-handed hitters to a career .306 wOBA.