FanDuel MLB: Saturday Value Plays

FanDuel MLB: Saturday Value Plays

This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.

Here is a hodgepodge of strong value leans and low-priced fliers to help build competitive and contrarian lineups for cash games and tournaments, respectively.

PITCHER

Carlos Martinez, STL at ATL ($9,000): The Braves have lost three consecutive games to start the season and scored just eight runs in the process. Martinez registered a 24.4 strikeout percentage last season, and Atlanta posted a target-worthy .300 wOBA and 88 wRC+ against righties. Martinez isn't a screaming value, but relative to the top-tier arms and given his opponent, the 24-year-old righty has a high floor.

CATCHER

Derek Norris, SD at COL ($3,000): Facing a lefty at Coors Field, Norris stands as an excellent option, especially with his cap hit remaining in manageable territory. Dating back to 2013, Norris has a .193 ISO, .382 wOBA and 148 wRC+ against lefties, and he has returned a career .341/.356/.591 slash line at Coors.

FIRST BASE

Tyler White, HOU at MIL ($2,900): Scorching hot to start the season (9-for-13 with four extra-base hits), White lands in another matchup with profit potential against Wily Peralta. The Milwaukee righty allowed a 27.9 hard-hit percentage and .348 wOBA to right-handed hitters in 2015, and White's salary opens up spending room. It is also worth noting that he has already climbed a lineup spot after hitting sixth Friday.

SECOND BASE

Tommy La Stella, CHC at ARI ($2,200): Manager Joe Maddon is a huge believer in La Stella, and the utility infielder could draw into the lineup against Zack Greinke. It is a rough matchup on the surface, but La Stella posted a .343 on-base percentage, .335 wOBA and 111 wRC+ against right-handed hurlers last season. Plus, Greinke might not be 100 percent healthy, and he certainly wasn't sharp Opening Day, either.

THIRD BASE

Matt Carpenter, STL at ATL ($3,300): It turns up aces for Carpenter on Saturday. Opposing righty Julio Teheran has allowed a .297/.389/.519 slash line and .391 wOBA to left-handed hitters dating back to last season, and Carpenter has taken care of business against righties to the tune of an .857 OPS, .375 wOBA and 141 wRC+ since 2013. Leading off strengthens Carpenter's case, too.

SHORTSTOP

Brad Miller, TB at BAL ($2,200): This is nice value for a respectable hitter against right-handed arms (career .171 ISO, .326 wOBA and 110 wRC+). Mike Wright was clobbered last season, too, as he allowed a .392 wOBA to left-handed hitters. Miller is a sit risk, though, and he has started the season 0-for-14 with a single walk, but you shouldn't fret his current form; it's still very early.

OUTFIELD

Lorenzo Cain, KC vs. MIN ($3,800): During his breakout 2015 campaign, Cain was incredible against southpaws, finishing with a .232 ISO, .405 wOBA and 159 wRC+. Soft-tossing Tommy Milone presents a ripe matchup, too, as he served up 1.3 HR/9 and a .331 wOBA to right-handed hitters last season. And, for what it's worth, Cain owns a 1.010 OPS through 27 plate appearances against Milone.

Franklin Gutierrez, SEA vs. OAK ($2,300): The veteran mashed lefty hurlers at Safeco Field last season with a .393 ISO, .413 wOBA and 170 wRC+. Rich Hill struggled during the spring (11.25 ERA), and he lasted just 2.2 innings in his season debut Monday. Near minimum price, Gutierrez is a sound dice roll, especially because of the lineup flexibility he opens up.

Jabari Blash, SD at COL ($2,300): Any time you can find light-tower power at Coors Field for close to minimum price it is worth a long look. Blash hit 34 home runs with a .568 slugging percentage through 417 plate appearances in Triple-A before graduating to the show. Opposing-hurler Jorge de la Rosa allowed a .358 wOBA to right-handed hitters at Coors Field last season. Still, Blash is likely best viewed as more of a flier than lineup lock.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Neil Parker plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: naparker77, DraftKings: naparker77.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil Parker
A loyal Cubs, Cowboys and Maple Leafs fan for decades, Neil has contributed to RotoWire since 2014. He previously worked for USA Today Fantasy Sports.
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