FanDuel MLB: Friday Value Plays

FanDuel MLB: Friday Value Plays

This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.

PITCHER

Drew Pomeranz, BOS at TB ($8,700): Pomeranz has allowed a home run in 11 of his last 12 starts, but the one home-run free outing came in Tampa Bay, where he'll be Friday. The home-run ball has been a big issue for Pomeranz since moving to the Red Sox, giving up 1.88 HR/9 in his twelve starts. The underlying stats are still promising though, with a strikeout-rate over 24 percent and an xFIP below four. Over the past 30 days, the Rays have the fifth-highest strikeout-rate in the league at 25 percent.

CATCHER

Jonathan Lucroy, TEX at OAK ($3,300):Kendall Graveman rides a high contact rate and has given up an exploitable 1.22 HR/9 against right-handed bats this season. Lucroy's wRC+ against righties sits at a solid 129, maintaining a solid bat all season without any real droughts, and his 23 home runs are a career-high.

FIRST BASE

Chris Davis, BAL vs. ARI ($3,600): Diamondbacks starter Shelby Miller has a 5.66 xFIP and 1.64 HR/9 allowed to left-handed bats this season. Meanwhile, Davis has a strong 121 wRC+ against right-handed pitching on the season, as well as 17 home runs since Aug. 7

SECOND BASE

Dee Gordon, MIA vs. ATL ($2,500): The numbers for Gordon are bad this season. The good news is that he's still leading off and gets to face Matt Wisler, who's allowed a 5.21 xFIP to lefties this season. In the end, Gordon still has base-stealing upside, and he had three stolen bases the last time he faced the Braves.

THIRD BASE

Adrian Beltre, TEX at OAK ($3,000): Since the beginning of August, Beltre has a 175 wRC+ and 14 home runs. After an average first half of the season following a drop off in form last year, it was fair to think the 37-year-old may have been in the twilight of his career. Now with 30 home runs for the first time since 2013, Beltre has a realistic chance to have his best home-run season since 2004 when he hit 48 for the Dodgers.

SHORTSTOP

Jordy Mercer, PIT vs. WAS ($2,200): He's let down a bit over the second half of the season, but Mercer still has a 130 wRC+ against left-handed pitching this year. Assuming he gets the leadoff spot, the matchup with southpaw Gio Gonzalez is exploitable. The Pirates are favored and the game has a solid 8.5-run over/under with an outward blowing wind projected.

OUTFIELD

Hyun Soo Kim, BAL vs. ARI ($2,700): The Orioles have found the majority of their success against right-handed pitching, with seven of the nine batters projected to be in the lineup having a wRC+ over 100. Kim ranks near the top, with his second place in the batting order and 125 wRC+ against righties on the season.

Christian Yelich, MIA vs. ATL ($3,500): Yelich brings a team-leading 144 wRC+ against right-handed pitching against Wisler's 5.21 xFIP against lefties. Yelich is unquestionably the cash play, but Wisler has allowed 1.46 HR/9 against right-handed bats too, leaving Giancarlo Stanton a certain upside play with his home run power.

Hunter Pence, SF at SD ($3,600): Injuries have plagued much of Pence's season, but he is finally healthy and appears to be as good as ever. Edwin Jackson has struggled all season, as his ERA through 72 innings sits at 6.00 (5.25 xFIP) while allowing 1.5 HR/9.

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. Alex Spalding plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: ajump08, DraftKings: ajump08.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Spalding
Alex splits his expertise between College Basketball, NBA, NFL, MLB, and Saturday morning BPL. You'll find him under the username ajump08 on DraftKings and FanDuel.
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