This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Note: For the purpose of trying to not state the obvious, yes, go ahead and take players (even Rockies vs. Matt Harvey) from the game in Colorado.
PITCHER
Edinson Volquez, KC vs. ATL ($8,500): On a nightly basis it's a good idea to check in who the Braves are playing and taking that team's pitcher. The Braves are arguably the worst offensive team in the league and the only batter in their lineup to worry about is Freddie Freeman, who has gone 2-for-8 against Volquez (both singles) with four strikeouts. The numbers back that up as well, as they rank last in wOBA to both right and left-handed pitchers. Volquez has had something of an up-and-down season and will welcome the Braves to Kansas City. Additionally, Volquez has been absolutely dominant at home this season, averaging over a strikeout per inning in Kauffman Stadium with a tidy 1.37 ERA (zero home runs) and a 1.03 WHIP.
Nick Tropeano, LAA at SEA ($6,400): Here's a quick bonus punt play considering Volquez isn't exactly cheap. Over seven starts this season Tropeano has scored at least 18 fantasy points (which few starting pitchers with that big of a sample can claim) and has regularly been in the mid-20s. He's almost half of the price of Chris Sale and pitching in a much better ballpark.
CATCHER
Yan Gomes, CLE vs. MIN ($2,300): This piece may lean a tad heavy on the Indians but there seems to be some figures backing the picks. Gomes has had at least 6.2 fantasy points in four of his last seven games, and while that's not spectacular, he's at a low price for a position that's very thin. Gomes has also gone 2-for-7 against Ricky Nolasco, with both hits being home runs.
FIRST BASE
Miguel Cabrera, DET at BAL ($3,600): While the purpose of this column is to point out values or players in plus situations, Cabrera meets the criteria for both Friday. He's at an extremely low price considering he's usually been above the $4K mark over the last several years and the matchup is good as well. Camden Yards plays as a hitters' park and Chris Tillman has been hit hard by Cabrera, who has a 1.159 OPS against Tillman.
SECOND BASE
Jason Kipnis, CLE vs. MIN ($3,400):Rougned Odor ($4,300) and Daniel Murphy ($4,100) will likely be the trendy picks despite their prices. However, Kipnis has a great matchup at home against Ricky Nolasco, who has allowed a .344 wOBA against them this season while Kipnis has hit righties with a .377 mark. Kipnis also has an .873 OPS over the last week.
THIRD BASE
Anthony Rendon, WAS vs. MIA ($3,600): It's not a bad night to stack the Nationals against Tom Koehler, incuding Bryce Harper, who has six home runs against him in only 31 plate appearances. Rendon, as well, has had past success against Koehler with a .889 OPS. On the season, Koehler has a 5.83 ERA backed by a 1.60 WHIP and has been significantly worse on the road (7.90 ERA, 2.12 WHIP), albeit a small sample. Rendon is starting to heat up, reaching base safely in his last six games and swiping three bags as well. Hitting in front of Harper should help and the switch to Daniel Murphy in the cleanup spot is beneficial to Rendon scoring runs as well.
SHORTSTOP
Troy Tulowitzki, TOR at TEX ($2,800): Tulo has been a mystery for fantasy owners, as he's been very good or very bad. For example, he's had games of 25.7 and 34.9 fantasy points over the last 10 games, but every other game in that stretch he scored fewer than seven. 10 days ago, the Blue Jays were held scoreless by starting pitcher Martin Perez but there's a few factors to consider here: Perez didn't last more than five innings and now the Jays have seen him recently. Tulo is much better than this price and should be in for a big game if the other bats get to Perez.
OUTFIELD
Adam Jones, BAL vs. DET ($2,600): Jones has gotten off to a slow start and his price has dropped to only $600 more than the minimum. The upside is that he's scored positive fantasy points in 12 straight games and has 37.6 and 28.7 in two of his last three. The attraction is that everyone is going to look at the Colorado game and be wary of the matchup with Justin Verlander. However, he's given up a .364 wOBA on the road this season and Jones' .957 OPS over the last week says a lot.
Steve Pearce, TAM vs. OAK ($2,800): This pick is likely going to be less than popular given the matchup with Rich Hill and that it takes place in Tampa. Neither the matchup nor venue scream "favorable" but that doesn't mean Pearce should be ignored. He's been put in the cleanup spot against left-handed pitching and hasn't disappointed with a .549 wOBA against southpaws. While it's a limited sample, Pearce has a .366 wOBA against lefties for his career and the Rays are the 10th-best in the league with a .331 wOBA.
Mitch Moreland, Tex vs. TOR ($3,300): This game looks like it should be a shootout and is a good pivot if somehow the Coors game is low scoring. R.A. Dickey could be at the end of the line and his trade from the Mets might go down as one of the worst in history. Moreland comes in with a .432 wOBA at home against right-handed pitching while Dickey has allowed a .380 wOBA on the road to left-handed hitting (Prince Fielder is $2,800 tonight, by the way).
