This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
We have 12 games Thursday, so there's a wealth of options out there. In addition, four of them are day games; so make sure to check the early lineups to ensure you don't waste money on players who won't be on the field. Here are our daily value plays for Thursday, October 1.
Pitcher:
Rich Hill, $7,800: Hill basically came back from the dead to make his first start of the season on September 13. The 35-year-old, who's dealt with numerous injuries since pitching 195.0 innings for the Cubs in 2007, has wallowed in minor league obscurity for the last few years, with only a handful of MLB innings pitched during that time, until he made his triumphant return with Boston this season; and somehow Hill has been dominant in the three starts he's made. The lefty has allowed three runs in 23.0 innings, and notched 10 strikeouts in each of his three starts while only walking two free pass in the same span. He's simply been outstanding, and furthermore, faces a beleaguered Yankees' offense that has posted the third-worst team OPS in MLB over the month of September. For a very affordable price of $7,800, bet on Hill's magical streak continuing in his last start of the season.
Catcher:
Salvador Perez, $2,200: Catcher may be the toughest position to fill today due to the severe lack of value plays. If you don't want to spend up for one of the top guys, there's no good low-cost, high-upside options at the position. Sal Perez is perhaps the only usable cheap catcher available. The 25-year-old has been decent at the plate this season, and his 20 home runs are a nice bonus from a guy who derives a lot of his value behind the plate. But with the cost literally being the cheapest possible at $2,200, and a nice matchup with Josh Tomlin who's coming off an atrocious outing, Perez makes for the best home run play (pun intended) at a top heavy position.
First Base:
Albert Pujols, $3,100: Pujols has been terrible since the calendar hit July. However, with the Angels fighting for a playoff berth, it appears that Sir Albert has been reinvigorated, as the 35-year-old sports a 1.081 OPS over the last week, and has contributed three long balls over his last 7 games as well. Albert's price is also still extremely low due to his poor production over the last few months, and faces lefty Derek Holland who's been a train wreck of late with a 6.60 ERA over the last five starts. With his bat heating up and such a stellar matchup, Pujols is a fantastic value play due to his eminently affordable price.
Second Base:
Jason Kipnis, $2,900: Kipnis has been playing well lately, with a .341/.386./.537 slash line over his last 10 games, and is available at a surprisingly discounted price with 14 other second baseman priced ahead of him, including something called Daniel Castro. Kipnis faces righty Tyler Duffey, who's been decent but has really struggled on the road where he's allowed an OPS 360 points higher than at home, and of course, the game is in Cleveland. As if that weren't enough, Kipnis has devoured right-handed pitching this season to the tune of .331/.410/.491 slash line and the 28-year-old is also sporting an OPS of .978 at Progressive Field. Between the minimal cost and all these other factors, Kipnis may be best value at any position on the board.
Third Base:
David Freese, $2,500: Freese has been white hot lately with .922 OPS over the last month, and has been even better lately with an insane .400/.526/.867 slash line over the last week. Freese faces afore mentioned struggling lefty Derek Holland, which is great for Freese who has historically been much better against lefties than righties with career OPS 90 points higher. Most important, Freese is available at a dirt cheap price that places him as only the 25th-most expensive third baseman on the board. That's crazy. Jump on Freese now and thank me later.
Shortstop:
Eugenio Suarez, $2,600: With the dearth of quality shortstops available, it's an extremely difficult position to fill today. Thus, it makes sense to either spend for one of the more expensive options, like Francisco Lindor ($3,800) who's been a monster lately, or to try and find a nice value play with a relatively low floor. Suarez is that play today. The 24-year-old has put together a nice season for the Reds, and has hit consistently with a .283 average on the year. Suarez is one of the cheapest starting shortstops available, and faces a pitcher in Jason Hammel who's been atrocious the last month, as his 6.27 ERA in his last four starts will attest. For a minimal investment, Suarez provides a nice low floor option at a weak position.
Outfield:
Mookie Betts, $3,600: Mookie has been killing it of late with a dynamite .385/.454/.594 slash line over the last month, in addition to chipping in four homers and three steals as well. Betts faces C.C. Sabathia, who's actually been better over the last two months compared to the dumpster fire he was through the end of July, but is coming off his roughest outing this month and may not have much left in the tank. Betts is reasonably priced as the 15th-most-expensive outfielder, despite being on fire and facing a pitcher who was over-the-hill three years ago; which makes him a no brainer play today.
Kevin Pillar, $3,300: Speaking of being on fire, Pillar may be the hottest hitter in MLB. The 26-year-old is batting .432 over his last 10 games and is sporting an absurd 1.232 OPS with 2 bombs and six steals over that time as well. Pillar is so hot right now that I'm actually worried he may spontaneously burst into flames at any moment. I had to throw at least one lame joke in here, right? Pillar faces rookie Tyler Wilson who's been the definition of average in his eight starts, and his 12 strikeouts in 35.0 innings helps to illustrate the rookie's lack of dominance. And despite all this, Pillar is still very reasonably priced making him a value play even despite the seemingly higher price tag.
Ben Revere, $2800: Let's stick with the Blue Jays as stacking against Tyler Wilson is not a bad idea. Revere's been awesome over the last week with a .389./.421/.611 slash line, and the 27-year-old is leading off for the best offense in baseball. Plus, Revere is always a threat to steal a base or two. Add in the matchup with Wilson and the bargain basement price, and Revere is a terrific upside play for a minimal investment.
