This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
The All-Star break is over and it is welcome back MLB time. Between the free rolls, the qualifiers and all the normal tournaments, the lobbies are filled with options for your DFS dollars. Here are some value play ideas to help you make your way to the top.
Starting Pitcher
Jose Fernandez ($10,500)
Fernandez is a top-10 pitcher when he is healthy. He faces a bottom-5 offense Friday and should continue to dominate. On a pitch count through his first two starts, he has still managed to average about 17 fantasy points per start. As he is stretched out a little more, the numbers should improve. He threw up a 20-fantasy point performance last time out against a tougher Reds offense. There is no doubt he should turn in a quality start Friday and should be able to get the 17+ points needed to make him the top pitching option on the day.
Catcher
Stephen Vogt ($3,000)
Vogt at $3,000 is a steal. He gets a matchup against Ervin Santana, who is making his third start of the year. Santana threw a gem first time out and was lit up in his second appearance. He has historically struggled with left-handed bats and Vogt has smashed right-handed pitching this year. He has a wOBA of .399 and and ISO of .253. That means he is in an excellent spot to get on base numerous times and has a good chance of hitting a home run. At a price of only $3,000, he is also not difficult to fit into your roster.
First Base
Adrian Gonzalez ($3,500)
The All-Star break came at a bad time for Gonzalez. He had hit five homers in his last nine games before getting a few days off. He has a matchup against Jordan Zimmermann, who has allowed left-handers to hit .301 against him with a 1.45 WHIP so far this season. Gonzalez has great splits against right-handed pitching, a high WOBA, good ISO score, and he has been on fire. The ballpark is not the best for hitters, but he has been smashing anyway. $3,500 is also a very fair price for a guy with home run and multiple hit upside.
Second Base
Ben Zobrist ($3,000)
Zobrist looks to be the best combination of price and matchup Friday. He only has a .338 wOBA, but he has a .204 ISO to go with it. That means he is one of the few second baseman who is capable of providing some home-run pop. Jason Kipnis is another guy who is in a good spot and makes a lot of sense to use if you have extra cash. The problem is that there are a few nice outfield options that make more sense to pay up for than a second baseman.
Shortstop
Adeiny Hechavarria ($2,300)
Hechavarria is one of the top value options at any position. No one ever really plays him, yet he is batting third for the Marlins and has decent numbers this year. He faces Adam Morgan in Philly, which is a great situation for a right-handed hitter. Morgan has allowed right-handed bats to hit .283 against him with five home runs in only 11 innings. Hechavarria has an elite wOBA of .423 against left-handed pitching and an ISO of .185. He is not a huge home run guy, but he should be in line for multiple hits and a few RBI from his batting order spot.
Third Base
Todd Frazier ($3,800)
This price is just too cheap for Frazier, who has a sneaky good matchup. He faces Trevor Bauer, who is a high strikeout pitcher that will scare a lot of people away. Bauer has also allowed a higher batting average and more home runs to right-handed bats, so it's the matchup that works best for Frazier. Frazier hits righties well anyway, with a wOBA of .387 and an ISO of .272. His power this year has been a pleasant surprise and the $500 discount from Manny Machado was the tie breaker that got him the top spot.
Outfield
Chris Young ($2,800)
It will be interesting to see where Young is slotted into the lineup now that Jacoby Ellsbury is back for the Yankees. Young had been hitting second against left-handed pitching and has been dominating this season. He leads the league in wOBA vs. lefties (.449) and has an ISO of .273. That puts him in line for a huge game at a very meager price.
Mike Trout ($5,400)
Value can sometimes mean having to pay up for a guy others might not, and that guy on Friday is Trout. Fresh off his All-Star Game MVP, he has a great matchup to keep it going. Trout gets to face Wade Miley, who has allowed a .286 batting average with eight home runs in 73 innings to right-handed batters. Trout has mashed left-handed pitching with a .464 wOBA and .364 ISO so far this year. It's a tough choice between him and Bryce Harper, as both are in really good spots Friday. Both are worth their high prices.
Mitch Moreland ($3,300)
Few guys are seeing the ball better or hitting it harder than Moreland is right now. The Texas slugger has made a habit of hitting multiple homers in the same game lately. He has a matchup with Colin McHugh in a good hitter's park. McHugh has been pretty solid this year, but struggles historically with left-handed bats. Moreland has a .403 wOBA and an eye popping ISO of .304. He is one of the best plays for upside on the day and someone who is too cheap at $3,300.
