FanDuel MLB: Thursday Value Plays

FanDuel MLB: Thursday Value Plays

This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.

PITCHER

James Paxton, SEA at CWS ($7,300): I don't usually ride a pitcher in his first start off the disabled list, but Paxton is a rare case. First and foremost, his injury was relatively minor (he almost avoided the DL altogether), and he only missed one start as a result Additionally, Paxton has been terrific lately, posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 25.5 percent K-rate, and a mere 2.8 percent BB rate in his last four outings. Add in a matchup against an uninspiring White Sox offense (.308 wOBA) and Paxton is an absolute steal at his surprisingly low price.

CATCHER

Sandy Leon, BOS at TAM ($2,700): Leon continues to rake (.437 wOBA), as the 27-year-old has been a huge boon for an already talented Red Sox lineup, yet his price has remained exceedingly reasonable. Granted, Leon has been especially deadly against left-handed pitching, but he has hit righties well too, and will basically continue to fill this spot in my lineups until his price rises.

FIRST BASE

Eric Hosmer, KAN at MIA ($3,100): Hosmer hasn't had the breakout season many expected, but the 26-year-old has still been a strong fantasy contributor, especially against right-handed pitching (.349 wOBA). He now faces Tom Koehler,who's allowed a .321 wOBA to left-handed hitters. As the 17th-most expensive first baseman on the board, Hosmer offers a perfect low-floor, high-ceiling play for a fairly minimal investment.

SECOND BASE

Logan Forsythe, TAM vs. BOS ($3,400): Outside of the most expensive options, second base is thin, with Forsythe standing out as the best bang-for-your-buck play available. The 29-year-old has been so good against left-handed pitching (.313 batting average, .388 wOBA, .250 ISO) that he's almost a must-play anytime he faces one. And while Drew Pomeranz is good, he's struggled since coming over to the American League (4.23 ERA, 1.36 WHIP), making Forsythe too good to pass up at such a reasonable price.

THIRD BASE

Jose Ramirez, CLE at TEX ($3,200): Ramirez continues to swing a hot bat - .359 batting average, .420 wOBA and .239 ISO in his last 30 games - and has become an important piece in the middle of Cleveland's potent lineup. The switch hitter has been notably dangerous against lefties (.311 batting average, .362 wOBA, .164 ISO), and while he faces a really good one in Cole Hamels, the lefty has still allowed a .317 wOBA to right-handed hitters.

SHORTSTOP

Brandon Crawford, SFG at LAD ($2,700): This is simply a case of a player being priced too low considering his production, talent and situation. The 29-year-old is batting in the middle of a solid lineup, he's been particularly strong against right-handed pitching (.328 wOBA, .184 ISO) and faces an eminently hittable one in Ross Stripling.

OUTFIELD

Matt Kemp, ATL at ARI ($3,300): Kemp is far from the offensive stud he used to be when he's facing right-handed pitching, but the 31-year-old hasn't missed a beat against lefties as his .327 batting average, .406 wOBA and .308 ISO against them will attest. Yet, Kemp is still priced moderately, especially considering his massive power potential. And while Robbie Ray has been pitching well, he's still yielding a .336 wOBA to right-handed hitters.

Alex Gordon, KAN at MIA ($2,800): After disappointing for much of the season, Gordon has finally gotten things back on track. He's finally hitting the ball well - .389 wOBA and .276 ISO in August - and his price has yet to catch up. In addition, Gordon has hit right-handed pitching well over the course of his career (.345 wOBA) and faces the aforementioned Koehler.

Denard Span, SFG at LAD ($2,700): Similar to Gordon, Span seems to have found his groove - after a rough two months - and is having a terrific August (.370 wOBA, .191). However, he is still priced cheaply. Add in that Span is notably effective against right-handed pitching (.292 batting average, .337 wOBA) and faces Stripling, and he becomes on of my favorite plays of the day.

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. James Seltzer plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: Schweppy23.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James Seltzer
James Seltzer is a Producer at 97.5 the Fanatic in Philadelphia. James is a co-host of the BleedingGreenNation.com Eagles podcast as well as the This Week in Fantasy podcast. James also works for PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
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