This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
We have 12 games on Thursday so there are a lot of options to choose from. Make sure to set your lineups early as 9 of the 12 games start at 4:05 pm or earlier. Here are our daily value plays for Thursday, April 23.
Pitcher:
Chris Sale ($10,200): As expected, Sale has been outstanding in his two starts this season - two wins, 2.25 ERA, and 14 strikeouts in 12 innings. Though the price is high, Sale is certainly worth it. Sale pitched well against the Royals in 2014 - 2.70 ERA in 3 starts - and while the Royals offense has been better so far this season, Sale is the great equalizer and should be able to continue his strong start to the season on Thursday.
Jake Odorizzi ($8,300): Odorizzi has been among the league's best pitchers - 1.74 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 20 innings - so far in 2015, and it appears he has turned the corner. While the matchup against Boston is not ideal, Odorizzi's price point is too good to pass up. If Odorizzi continues to pitch like he has, he will be far more expensive as the season progresses. Take advantage of the lower price points for Odorizzi while you still can.
Catcher:
Caleb Joseph ($3,100): Joseph has been one of the more pleasant surprises so far this season - .361 average - and is entrenched as Baltimore's starting catcher. Drew Hutchison has struggled of late, and Joseph has a decent price point, so he makes for a nice play today at a weak position.
First Base:
Adam Lind ($3,200): Lind has cooled off after his hot start but should be able to take advantage of a nice matchup against Homer Bailey. Bailey struggled in his first start of the season and may still be playing his way into shape. Add in Lind's .859 career OPS against right-handed pitching and he makes a nice upside play for a minimal investment on Thursday.
Second Base:
Johnny Giavotella ($2,700): Giavotella has been raking of late - .368 average over the last seven days - and has a nice matchup against Jesse Chavez who is making his first start of the season. Add in the cheap price point and Giavotella is a nice play that will also allow you to spread your money over other positions.
Third Base:
Cody Asche ($2,500): Acshe continues to be well under-priced despite his hot start. Asche is batting .347 and hit his second home run of the season on Wednesday night. Asche has a plum matchup against David Phelps who has been unable to sustain any consistent success in the majors. Furthermore, Asche has been great at home - .389 average at Citizens Bank Park in 2015 - so he should be a nice play, especially for the price, on Thursday.
Shortstop:
Starlin Castro ($3,900): Castro has been on fire over the last week - .423 average with a home run - and has a nice matchup against Jeff Locke. Historically Castro has been better against left-handed pitchers - career .780 OPS vs. lefties as opposed to .723 vs. righties - and has also hit well in PNC Park. For a reasonable price, Castro is a solid play today at shortstop.
Outfield:
Starling Marte ($4,500): Marte has been one of the league's hottest hitters with four home runs just in the last week. Kyle Hendricks has struggled so far this season and facing Marte won't make it any easier on the young right-hander. Though Marte's price point is a little high, he is worth riding while he is hot as home runs are crucial to winning in Fanduel. Marte has also chipped in two stolen bases over the last week, so he can help you in a number of ways.
Jorge Soler ($3,900): Soler has had a strong start to the season - .327 average with two home runs - and has faces lefty Jeff Locke on Thursday. Soler has also been surprisingly good on the road - .429 average this season - which should continue today in Pittsburgh.
Matt Joyce ($2,800): Joyce owns right-handed pitchers - .811 career OPS against righties - and has a nice matchup against Jesse Chavez on Thursday. Chavez is making his first start of the season, filling in for the injured Jesse Hahn, so this should be a nice opportunity for Joyce to take advantage. For the low price point Joyce could provide a nice payoff for you today.
Good luck!
