FanDuel MLB: Saturday Value Plays

FanDuel MLB: Saturday Value Plays

This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.

PITCHER

Adam Conley, MIA vs. CWS ($8,100): Given his upside and matchup, Conley is a nice value, particularly at home and against a White Sox squad that's whiffed at a 22.5 percent clip against southpaws. While he took it on the chin in his last start, he gets a mulligan because it came at Coors Field. Conley has also been particularly tough at Marlins Park this season, allowing only two earned runs in 12.2 innings in his last two starts with a 2.88 ERA and .227 average against in 59.1 home innings overall.

CATCHER

Sandy Leon, BOS vs. ARI ($3,000): For whatever reason, Leon's price remains stagnant, making him an outstanding value play in what is also a highly favorable matchup. He should be rested after receiving a night off Friday and faces D-backs starter Archie Bradley, who's yielded a .401 wOBA, 5.02 xFIP and 40.2 percent hard-contact rate to lefty hitters. Leon has also particularly thrived at Fenway, where he has a .438 wOBA and .219 ISO while also racking up a 35 percent hard-contact rate against right-handed pitching.
FIRST BASE

Derek Dietrich, MIA vs. CWS ($2,300): It's hard to believe Dietrich's price has hit near minimum, so I'm tabbing him for a matchup against a highly vulnerable James Shields. While Dietrich cooled in the second half, he's gotten hot again in 19 August at-bats, hitting .421/.500/.526. And this season, he's mashed right-handed pitching to the tune of a .357 wOBA. Meanwhile, Shields was absolutely blasted by the Orioles in his last start for eight earned runs and four homers over just 1.1 innings. He enters Saturday with a .356 wOBA and 5.20 xFIP against lefty bats.

SECOND BASE

DJ LeMahieu, COL at PHI ($3,300): LeMahieu is swinging a hot bat and brings a .362 wOBA against right-handed pitching into Saturday's game. He's hit safely in seven of his last eight games as well, including a 2-for-4 night in the series opener Friday that featured a solo homer. He's also been hitting well on the road in recent games, going 4-for-11 with Friday's homer, two RBI, three walks and three runs over his last three contests outside of Coors.

THIRD BASE

Jake Lamb, ARI at BOS ($3,200): Lamb is a steal at this price in what could be a shootout between the D-backs and Red Sox. Boston starter Clay Buchholz has a .387 wOBA against lefty bats with a 6.59 xFIP and 34.5 percent hard-contact rate against left-handers at Fenway. Considering Lamb's .411 wOBA, .320 ISO, 20 homers and massive 44.9 percent hard-contact rate against right-handed pitching this season, he makes for a highly viable option against the struggling spot starter.

SHORTSTOP

Trea Turner, WAS vs. ATL ($3,400): Turner always offers the possibility of a double-digit fantasy-point haul, such as when he went off for 27.7 fantasy points Friday on the strength of a 3-for-5 night that also included a pair of stolen bases. He faces rookie Rob Whalen with a .372 wOBA against right-handed pitching and a 35.9 percent hard-contact rate.

OUTFIELD

Aaron Altherr, PHI vs. COL ($2,800): Much like Turner, Altherr is a bargain for the multi-category production he offers. He's tallied double-digit fantasy points in four of his last 10 contests, including Friday's series opener against the Rockies, when he generated 12.7 fantasy points. He's also posted a .388 wOBA at home, and his upside makes him a cost-effective tournament play that allows for flexibility elsewhere in your lineup.

Tyler Naquin, CLE vs. LAA ($2,600):
Naquin's price has dipped because of recent struggles, yet this is still the same player who's posted a .411 wOBA and .287 ISO against right-handed pitching, along with a 42.7 percent hard-contact rate. He's also generated a massive .467 wOBA against that handedness at home, and has all 13 homers against righty arms, as well. Angels starter Matt Shoemaker has been tough against left-handed hitters overall, but has given up a 4.89 ERA and .337 wOBA on the road this season.

Lorenzo Cain, KAN at MIN ($3,100):
Cain takes aim at Twins starter Tyler Duffey, who's yielded a .401 wOBA and 13 homers to right-handed hitters this season, and a .415 wOBA when facing them at Target Field. Cain has double-digit fantasy points in two of his last three games, and on two other occasions in the last 10. While some recent struggles render him much more of a tournament play, he has the talent and bat to provide a nice return at low ownership percentages.

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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