This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
We're coming down to the stretch run of the fantasy season and championships are on the line this weekend. With season-long leagues ending, it's a great time to get involved with FanDuel to feed your fantasy cravings. Weather has been crazy on the east coast the last few days, so be sure to monitor weather reports prior to submitting lineups on Saturday. Also, pay attention to any pitching changes, as there are many strange moves with all the September callups and recent rainouts. So let's make some money for this Saturday slate so we have more bankroll for the upcoming football season that starts Sunday.
Pitcher
Hector Santiago $7,600
I was not thinking about using Santiago at all for this slate until I saw his gaudy numbers against the Astros. In 71 at-bats against Santiago, Astros hitters have just nine hits with only two extra-base hits. Those statistics add up to a .127 average and .190 slugging percentage. The Astros are one of the most strikeout-prone teams in baseball, and Santiago has shown some strikeout potential throughout his career. The only worry is Santiago's recent form. In his last start, Santiago threw six-inning shutout allowing one hit, but prior to that he failed to get out of the fifth inning in three consecutive starts. We'll bet on him building on that one-hitter and continuing to own a team he's had raving success against.
Lance McCullers $6,700
I wrote about Lance McCullers last weekend when he was priced at $9,000, and we'll go right back to the well. Strangely, he was fantastic in the start I recommended him, striking out eight over seven innings of one-run ball, but his price dropped $2,300. It's hard to understand why, but we have to take advantage of this blip in the system. McCullers squares off against the Angels on Saturday night and that's one of the best matchups in baseball. The only dangerous bats in the Angels' lineup are Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Kole Calhoun and two of those three are struggling mightily (Pujols and Trout). If he can navigate around those three players, he'll have an easy time getting through one of the worst bottom halves of lineups in baseball. The season numbers for McCullers speak for themselves as well, as he has a 3.07 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 101 strikeouts in 96.2 innings this season. That's a strong strikeout rate, which is arguably the most valuable statistic for pitchers on FanDuel. The icing on the cake is the price, though, as it just simply doesn't make any sense for the production McCullers has provided this season.
Catcher
Victor Martinez $2,200
Fantasy owners understand just how badly Martinez is slumping, but I love him at this price. At catcher there aren't many who have the upside of Martinez, and it's hard to believe he's so far off that he should be a minimum price. His form is obviously discouraging, but he's still in the heart of that dangerous lineup, and the power potential is still there. On Saturday, Martinez and the Tigers square off against Cody Anderson in an exploitable matchup as Anderson has been prone to blow-ups in his short career. This is a play purely in price and upside. I'll continue to use Martinez until he gets out of that minimum price range with an inevitable hot streak.
First Base
Miguel Cabrera $4,200
Cabrera is the best hitter in baseball, and I don't understand why his price has dropped lately. The strangest part of Cabrera's season is how little it is being talked about, mainly due to the fact he missed significant time due to an injury. So far this season, Cabrera has a .449 OBP and 1.012 OPS in 103 games. Those are MVP-Cabrera numbers, and it doesn't appear he's lost a step since returning from the DL. His matchup is not a difficult one either as he faces the aforementioned Cody Anderson. This price is simply too cheap for a player of Cabrera's ability as well, and he should be more in the $5,000 range. There are 10 position players priced higher than Cabrera, which is ridiculous.
Second Base
Brian Dozier $3,000
The price on Dozier has steadily dropped, but he still has some fantastic numbers for second base. He's arguably a top-three second baseman in baseball and has an .813 OPS vs. left-handers. The Twins face lefty Jose Quintana on Saturday, and while he's solid, the Twins have killed lefties all season. Dozier is a fantastic source of power, capable of a 20-20 season every year. In 137 games this season, Dozier has 27 homers and 11 steals. Ten second baseman are priced higher than Dozier, which is just silly with how weak of a position it is and how dangerous Dozier can be. The power-speed profile makes Dozier a dangerous play, but he's especially enticing at this price.
Third Base
Adrian Beltre $2,700
Beltre's had a Hall-of-Fame career, and I like him to add to his resume on Saturday night. It hasn't been the 36-year-old's best season by any means, but he has posted a formidable .777 OPS against lefties this season. On Saturday, Beltre faces rookie lefty Sean Nolin, who is the lowest-priced pitcher for this slate. At only $5,000, FanDuel expects a poor outing from Nolin, and Beltre could be the beneficiary as the most dangerous right-handed hitter in the Rangers' lineup. With Beltre costing just $2,700, he's a hell of a bargain, as well. The top third baseman, Josh Donaldson, costs double that and most of the top-tier third baseman cost well over $4,000. I like saving money here with a reliable veteran like Beltre, as he has just as much upside as any one of the top options.
Shortstop
Jean Segura $2,700
I've noticed a trend with the Brewers as they always stick Segura in the leadoff spot against left-handed pitchers. Expect that again Saturday against lefty John Locke. Not only does that give Segura more at-bats, he's had success against Locke throughout his career. Against Locke, Segura is 10-for-29 with four extra-base hits. Those aren't gaudy numbers, but they show us that he sees the ball well out of the southpaw's hands. Segura has also been hot to start off the month, as he's 15-for-44. I really like how Segura can provide production through hits, steals and runs scored as well. With all the strong right-handers toe Brewers lineup has, Locke could be in for a long night and Segura will be the table setter atop the lineup.
Outfield
Nelson Cruz $4,200
This is a pretty simple choice as Cruz is second in the majors and faces a weak lefty. The numbers for Cruz are absurd this season, as he has 40 home runs with a .309 average and 84 RBI in 133 games. His numbers off lefties are even more ridiculous, as he has a .358 average and a ridiculous 1.118 OPS against southpaws. He faces Yohan Flande, who's not a terrible pitcher, but he's also your typical Triple-A Rockies starter. As a Rockies fan, I can tell you that Flande has struggled with right-handed hitters all season, allowing nearly all of his production to righties. The price for Cruz isn't terrible either, as $4,200 is affordable with a top-notch pitcher and some other solid hitters. In fact, it seems crazy that there are position players who costs at least $1,000 more than Cruz, who has outperformed almost all of them. While Cruz likely will be widely owned, he should have no problem outperforming his reasonable price.
David Peralta $3,200
Peralta is always on a short list for me when he faces a righty, and I'm glad I finally get to recommend him. The Diamondbacks face right-hander Mike Bolsinger, with whom they should be familiar, considering he was on the team just last season. I like using batters against a recent former teammate, simply because pitching coaches know the pitcher's tendencies. Peralta has been fantastic against right-handers as well this season. In 343 at-bats, Peralta is batting .318 with 14 homers, 21 doubles and 61 RBI. Those are elite numbers that are not reflected in his price. Peralta is a fantastic bargain with many of the top outfielders costing $4,000 to $5,000. I like the Diamondbacks, who scored 12 runs Friday, to stay hot and for Peralta to be the catalyst.
Andre Ethier $2,200
Ethier and David Peralta are similar players as they both kill right-handers. So far this season, Ethier is hitting .301 with 13 homers, 15 doubles and 38 RBI off righties. The Dodgers square off against Rubby De La Rosa, who has been prone to the long ball all season. In fact, De La Rosa has allowed 29 homers in just 28 starts this season. I like Ethier and the rest of the Dodgers lefties to have success on De La Rosa after getting demolished Friday night. When I saw Ethier at a minimum price tag, I had to pick him. He should be right in the heart of the Dodgers' lineup and is my steal of the night at a minimum price.
