FanDuel MLB: Saturday Value Plays

FanDuel MLB: Saturday Value Plays

This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.

Pitcher

Aaron Nola, PHI vs. NYM ($9,500): Being priced under five figures at this point keeps Nola as a bargain, as he's simply been one of the best pitchers in baseball recently. He's allowed two or fewer runs in nine straight outings while striking out seven or more in eight of those. The Mets are in full rebuild/tank mode at this juncture, and bring a .324 wOBA and 26.4 percent strikeout rate against righties since July 30.

Catcher

Welington Castillo, BAL at OAK ($3,500): I'm not usually a proponent of paying up for catching, but Castillo isn't overpriced and comes in riding a 10-game hit streak. He ranks second among O's regulars with a .340 wOBA and 110 wRC+ agaisnt lefties entering a matchup with a struggling Sean Manaea, who has allowed seven runs in his last 6.1 innings and 12 in his last four starts, spanning 19.0 frames.

First Base

Eric Hosmer, KAN at CWS ($3,700): I didn't initially set out to write this column and highlight Royals bats against James Shields, but when browsing the options at first base and seeing Hosmer checking in with six options priced higher than him, some by as much as $1,400, he became the definition of a value play. Hosmer has gone deep 14 times against righties (and only four against lefties) while sporting a .380 wOBA and 138 wRC+ against opposite-handed arms.

Second Base

Javier Baez, CHC at ARI ($3,000): D'backs starter Patrick Corbin has settled down some since a woeful start to the season, but he allowed seven runs and 10 hits over 3.1 frames on August 1 to the Cubs. Baez provided a long ball in that outing along with three RBI, and brings a serviceable .360 wOBA and 121 wRC+ against lefties into the contest.

Third Base

Travis Shaw, MIL vs. CIN ($3,000): The Reds will activate Scott Feldman to start Saturday for the first time since July 17. He owns a 4.99 road ERA and allowed two homers in each of his last two starts prior to injury, while lasting just 6.0 innings. Shaw hasn't been great in August, hitting only .257 with no homers, but his price has fallen enough to where his overall .398 wOBA, .265 ISO and 142 wRC+ are worth taking a chance on in this spot.

Shortstop

Paul DeJong, STL vs. ATL ($3,200): There are 10 shortstops priced at $3,000 or lower on the DL, making bargain shopping a bit challenging. DeJong is swinging a hot bat, putting together four multi-hit games in his last six outings en route to three 20+ fantasy point outings. R.A. Dickey has been worse on the road (4.99 ERA) and against righties, allowing a .361 wOBA, though this will be DeJong's first time dealing with a knuckleball.

Outfield

George Springer, HOU at TEX ($3,700): Springer hasn't come off of the disabled list blazing, owning just one hit in his first three games back. But his season-long body of work suggests his price hasn't caught up to his pre-DL form, as he owns a .384 wOBA and 145 wRC+ against lefties to go along with the 27 homers and 66 RBI. Rangers starter Tyson Ross will return from the DL on Saturday and brings an ugly 7.52 ERA into the contest, while giving up a .405 wOBA and .946 OPS.

Melky Cabrera, KAN at CWS ($3,500): Cabrera was having a decent season before being traded to Kansas City but has been white hot since joining the Royals, posting a .496 wOBA, 217 wRC+, 1.195 OPS and .324 ISO against righties over 37 at bats. He, and all Royal bats, have a juicy matchup against Shields on Saturday. Shields has a 6.47 home ERA, where he has been torched by opposite-handed bats, to the tune of a .486 wOBA and 1.089 OPS.

Howie Kendrick, WAS vs. SFG ($2,500): With Friday's rainout, Kendrick will benefit from Chris Stratton's start being pushed back a day. He owns a .476 wOBA, 195 wRC+ and .385 ISO against lefties since coming over from Philadelphia. He's been a bit feast or famine of late, but makes for a nice upside buy at a low tag.

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. Chris Bennett plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: k30kittles, DraftKings: k30kittles.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Bennett
Bennett covers baseball, college football and college basketball for RotoWire. Before turning to fantasy writing, he worked in scouting/player development for the Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos. He's also a fan of the ACC.
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