FanDuel MLB: Tuesday Value Plays

FanDuel MLB: Tuesday Value Plays

This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.

Pitcher

Zach Davies, MIL at WAS ($6,900): Davies had put together a six-start streak where he'd scored 33 to 63 fantasy points prior to a hiccup against the Dodgers in his last trip to the mound. He draws a Nationals team Tuesday that's been merely average against right-handed arms, generating a .312 wOBA against that handedness while also striking out 20.2 percent of the time. Additionally, one of Davies' starts during his aforementioned strong stretch of play was against this same Nationals squad, an outing where he equaled his season high of nine strikeouts over just five innings. While there's always risk when you send out a pitcher against Bryce Harper and company, the price is right for rolling the dice on Davies on Tuesday.

Catcher

Tyler Flowers, ATL at PHI ($2,200): Flowers is one of two nicely-priced catchers that caught my eye Tuesday. He'll draw young Zach Eflin, who's given up a .356 wOBA to right-handed hitters. Flowers has battered right-handed pitching to the tune of a .372 wOBA, while also hitting five of his six homers on the season against that handedness. At near minimum and facing an inexperienced pitcher, Flowers presents as a solid value play.

Sandy Leon, BOS vs. TEX ($2,500): I can't neglect to mention Leon, given his current price and recent production. Whatever magic wand he waved over his bat has more than delivered, as the career .187 hitter (heading into this season) is now posting a .500 average over 40 at-bats, with multi-hit outings in his last three starts. The switch-hitting Leon has a .563 wOBA against right-handed pitching, and a .516 wOBA overall at Fenway Park. Rangers starter A.J. Griffin has been tough this season, but if he's had any weakness, it's been left-handed hitters. He's give up three of his four homers on the season to lefty bats, as well as a .340 wOBA when facing them away from Globe Life Park.

First Base

James Loney, NYM vs. MIA ($2,700): Mike Napoli ($3,100) also makes for a nice value play in this spot against the long ball-prone Anibal Sanchez, as does C.J. Cron ($2,800) against Jake Odorizzi in Tampa. For an under-the-radar option in tournaments Loney presents as a sneakier play, as he continues to quietly produce for both the Mets and daily fantasy players. He's also notably one of those lefty hitters that isn't particularly bothered by a matchup versus a southpaw, particularly if that pitcher is Marlins starter Wei-Yin Chen. Loney has slashed a very solid .333/.333/.542 versus Chen over 24 at-bats with a pair of doubles and a solo homer. Chen has also shown reverse-splits tendencies this season, yielding a .345 wOBA to left-handed hitters, while Loney owns an almost identical .346 wOBA against southpaws.

Second Base

Cesar Hernandez, PHI vs. ATL ($2,300): The switch-hitting Hernandez has been swinging a hot bat, as he carries a seven-game hitting streak into Tuesday that includes five multi-hit outings, four of which have netted double-digit fantasy points. He also sports a solid .322 wOBA while Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz has certainly had his share of troubles against left-handed hitters. He's surrendered a .433 wOBA to that handedness that rises to .480 when facing them on the road, and has also seen those same hitters make 40.9 percent hard contact against him away from Turner Field.

Third Base

Yunel Escobar, LAA at TAM ($2,800): Nolan Arenado ($2,900), along with several of his teammates at other positions, is priced considerably down for a matchup against Madison Bumgarner and therefore certainly deserves consideration for tournaments. However, we'll tab the hot bat of Escobar in this spot, particularly for cash games. He continues to roll right along, now hitting .317 and in the midst of a nine-game hitting streak. He's generated a solid .321 wOBA against right-handed pitching as well, while Rays starter Jake Odorizzi has surrendered a .341 wOBA to right-handed hitters and is coming off his worst month of the season in June, during which he yielded a .351 wOBA over 32.2 innings.

Shortstop

Elvis Andrus, TEX at BOS ($2,500): Andrus' price keeps dropping despite the fact he continues to be a steady contributor. Most recently, he's hit safely in four of the last five games and has four double-digit fantasy point outings in his last 10. His history against Red Sox starter David Price also makes him worthy of a flyer, particularly in tournaments, considering Andrus owns a .444/.571/.444 line against the veteran southpaw over 27 career at-bats along with seven RBI and seven walks. Andrus has also been exceptional against lefties this season, amassing a .390 wOBA that rises to .436 when he sees them away from Globe Life Park. Meanwhile, Price has given up 12 of his 15 homers on the season against right-handed hitters, with eight of those coming when facing them at Fenway.

Outfield

Yoenis Cespedes, NYM vs. MIA ($3,200): Cespedes shouldn't be passed up at almost any price when facing a pitcher that can be as susceptible to the long ball as Chen, and especially not at his current cost. Throw in his track record against left-handed pitching and you've got an even stronger case. Cespedes has decimated southpaws to the tune of a .491 wOBA, .300 ISO and 55.3 percent hard contact rate this season and has made hard contact a jaw-dropping 66.7 percent of the time he's faced them at home.

Gregory Polanco, PIT at STL ($2,900): It's rare to see Polanco priced under $3,000 and yet here he is Tuesday, with a solid matchup to boot. He boasts a .396 wOBA, .240 ISO and 36.3 percent hard contact rate against right-handed arms with an even better 39.8 percent hard contact rate against them on the road. Cardinals starter Mike Leake has surrendered a .328 wOBA and 10 of his 14 homers on the season to lefty bats, and a .349 wOBA and six of those round-trippers when facing them in his home park.

Marcell Ozuna, MIA at NYM ($2,600): Ozuna's price also prompts a double-take, even against a solid pitcher like Steven Matz. Ozuna has been quiet the last three games (1-for-13) but had a four-hit effort just four games ago and is still hitting an impressive .310 on the season, adding 17 homers. While Matz has been tougher on right-handed hitters, they're also responsible for all eight of the homers he's given up this season with six of those coming at Citi Field. Meanwhile, Ozuna sports an astounding .495 wOBA, .406 ISO and 51.9 percent hard contact rate against southpaws, with that third figure rising to 53.6 when facing them away from Marlins Park.

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. Juan Carlos Blanco plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: jcblanco22, FanDuel: jc_blanco22, DraftPot: jc_blanco22, FantasyDraft: jc_blanco22, OwnThePlay: jcblanco22.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Juan Carlos Blanco
Winner of the FSWA 2016 Newcomer of the Year Award, Juan Carlos Blanco has been playing fantasy sports for over 20 years and covers NBA, MLB, NFL, CFL and Arena Football for Rotowire.com, including serving as the beat writer for teams in multiple sports. He has previously written for KFFL.com and remains an avid season-long and daily fantasy player in multiple sports as well.
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