Yahoo DFS Baseball: Thursday Picks

Yahoo DFS Baseball: Thursday Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.

PITCHER

Matt Moore, SFG at PHI ($34): Moore might be a popular pick in a slate of games that offers little appeal on the bump. He's allowed three runs or less in each of his last six starts, twice shutting his opponent out while lasting at least 6.2 innings in each. The Phillies counter with an offense that has a woeful .145 ISO and .294 wOBP against lefties.

Hector Santiago, MIN at CLE ($34):
There isn't enough upside with the top-priced pitchers Thursday to warrant splurging, so rolling with a second player making his first start for his new team is the path. While all seven runs came over his last three starts, Santiago worked through July with six wins in as many starts, allowing just those seven runs in 35.1 innings. He was hit hard in a June 10 start against the Indians (five earned runs and seven hits in 1.1 innings), but Cleveland has just a .174 ISO against lefties on the year, hopefully keeping Santiago's floor stable.

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CATCHER

Mike Zunino, SEA vs. BOS ($7): Salary cap allocation can be key with this slate, with day games often leading to days off for top names, and the already mentioned lack of star pitching. As such, spending above the minimum at this position doesn't seem prudent. Zunino makes for a high-upside gamble, as he boasts a robust .512 wOBP and .636 ISO against left-handers, while Red Sox starter Drew Pomeranz has allowed five runs in two of his last three starts.

FIRST BASE

Miguel Cabrera, DET vs. CWS ($21): After saving a bit on pitchers and a catcher, spending freely for top hitters could litter this lineup. Cabrera checks in at just $1 over the average per slot, and is swinging a white-hot bat. He has seven hits and three home runs in his last three games.

SECOND BASE

Starlin Castro, NYY at NYM ($9): The play is more against Mets starter Bartolo Colon, who has allowed 20 runs and eight homers over his last 32.2 innings. Castro has a modest .285 wOBP against righties, making him more of a high-risk, high-reward option better suited for tournaments.

THIRD BASE

Todd Frazier, CWS at DET ($18): Frazier is the ultimate boom-or-bust pick thanks to his plus-plus power. He'll face righty Jordan Zimmermann, who is making his first start since returning from a neck injury and likely will be on a pitch count. Prior to injury, Zimmerman allowed seven runs in three of eight starts, and 11 in his last two. Frazier's respectable .239 ISO and .319 wOBP against righties gives him a chance at his second homer in three days.

SHORTSTOP

Corey Seager, LAD at COL ($23): It might be difficult to see "value" in the game's highest-priced shortstop, but if there's ever been a slate of games to spend freely on bats, it's this, and Seager's high floor/high ceiling makes him a click and play. He's been notably better against righties, to the tune of a .396 wOBP and .940 OPS, and faces a pitcher struggling with his control in Tyler Chatwood, who has walked 21 batters in his last 25 innings while giving up 14 runs.

OUTFIELD

Mike Trout, LAA vs. OAK ($23): Similar to Miguel Cabrera, Trout is a top talent, comes at a fair price in a slate where splurging freely on hitters is an option, and he's hot. Trout has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games, with three hits Wednesday. There's been a bit of a power drought, as Trout has not homered since July 18. But with a wOBP of .423 against right handers, Trout brings an overdue upside into a matchup with Jesse Hahn.

Stephen Piscotty, STL at CIN ($19):
It's a relatively hefty price to pay for a player who has only three hits in his last 24 at-bats, but Piscotty has been money against left-handed hurlers in 2016, including Wednesday when he homered off Cincinnati lefty Cody Reed. He sports a .460 wOBP and .301 ISO against southpaws and faces left-hander Brandon Finnegan, who despite coming off of a shutout in his last outing has allowed 28 runs and 12 homers in his last seven starts.

Ender Inciarte, ATL vs. PIT ($10):
Inciarte enters Thursday riding a 14-game hitting streak, and he's hit safely in all but three games since the All-Star break. Yes, his .085 ISO against righties give him little upside, but the hot bat paired with the low price give him a safe floor in all formats.

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. Chris Bennett plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: k30kittles, DraftKings: k30kittles.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Bennett
Bennett covers baseball, college football and college basketball for RotoWire. Before turning to fantasy writing, he worked in scouting/player development for the Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos. He's also a fan of the ACC.
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