FanDuel MLB: Thursday Value Plays

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Updated on May 18, 2017 1:52PM EST

Pitcher

Hector Velazquez, BOS at OAK ($5,600) – This is something of a risky pick given he'll be making his first start in the majors on the road. However, he held a 1.55 ERA through five starts at Triple-A Pawtucket, as well as a 0.79 WHIP. He's not a highly touted prospect, but his 20:5 K:BB ratio at Triple-A through 29 innings suggest good command. The matchup for Velazquez is solid, as the A's have the 19th lowest wOBA (.314) against right-handed pitching.

Catcher

Yasmani Grandal, LOS vs MIA ($3,000) – Grandal has heated up at the plate over the last two weeks (40 ABs), posting a 1.109 OPS. He's crushed right-handed pitching at home this season with a whopping .417 wOBA and hasn't done too bad on the road against righties, either (.393). He'll get a righty tonight in Edison Volquez who has given up a .399 wOBA to left-handed hitters this season.

First Base

Yonder Alonso, OAK vs BOS ($3,400) – If there isn't any faith in Velazquez tonight, it makes a ton of sense to consider Alonso. He continues his breakout season averaging 11.8 fantasy points, the third most at the position behind the more-expensive Cody Bellinger and Freddie Freeman (who is day-to-day). His wOBA at home against right-handed pitching is off the charts with a .494 mark.

Second Base

Devon Travis, TOR at ATL ($2,700) – Travis has finally heated up after a slow start and has reached base nine games in a row. He owns an 1.105 OPS over the last week and has two stolen bases, adding to his DFS value. Tonight he'll face Julio Teheran, who owns a .377 wOBA against left-handed hitters this season.

Shortstop

Corey Seager, LOS vs MIA ($3,600) – This is a thin position, especially on a five-game slate, so it makes sense to pay up for Seager. He's in play for the same reasons as Grandal, except he has a .405 wOBA this season against right-handed pitching after putting up a .420 wOBA at home against them last season.

Third Base

Kyle Seager, SEA vs CWS ($3,600) – Whenever the Mariners face a southpaw, Nelson Cruz is a must. Whenever they play against a right-handed pitcher, Seager is a strong play. Last season at home against right-handed pitching he had a .395 wOBA and has an excellent matchup tonight. Dylan Covey enters the game with a 7.98 ERA on the season and has allowed nine home runs in only 29.1 innings this season.

Outfield

Ben Gamel, SEA vs CWS ($3,100) – Gamel is hitting at the top of the order and has the same reasoning as Seager as a lefty-vs-a-righty matchup. In his short time in the big leagues, he's averaging 12.3 fantasy points per game, showing his upside.

Jackie Bradley Jr., BOS at OAK ($3,200) – Bradley is a streaky hitter and it appears he's gotten into one of his hot streaks. He was bumped up to sixth in the batting order Wednesday, has two home runs in his last six games and another 12.2 fantasy-point performance in that span as well.

Marcell Ozuna, MIA at LOS ($3,900) – Ozuna has been quiet as of late but gets a great matchup to turn things around. He's been a lefty-killer since last season when he had a .384 wOBA against southpaws, and that's carried over to this season with a .453 mark in a limited sample. Hyun-Jin Ryu has been less than stellar this season with a 4.99 ERA and has allowed a .380 wOBA to right-handed hitters.

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. Kevin Payne plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: Fanduel: kevinccp, Draft Kings: kevinccp, Yahoo: kevinccp.