This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
The players featured in this piece will be building blocks that can work in several lineup configurations (cash and GPP). There are no day games on Friday, leaving a packed evening slate to wade through for your FanDuel entry.
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STARTING PITCHER
Cole Hamels, CHC vs. CIN ($9,500): Hamels was hammered pitching at Globe Life Park in Arlington while a member of the Rangers earlier this year, posting a 6.41 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP across 10 starts. The move to the Cubs has done wonders for his value as he has a 1.42 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP since joining the team. His FIP is strong at 2.70 and he's only allowed one home run over 50.2 innings during that stretch. He dominated the Reds in their last meeting, allowing one run to go along with seven strikeouts across nine innings. Look for him to keep things rolling in this contest.
GPP Fade: Dallas Keuchel, HOU vs. ARI ($8,700): With the pitchers the Astros have added to their roster the last couple of seasons, Keuchel doesn't have to carry their rotation anymore. He's still putting up strong numbers, though, with a 3.59 ERA that is supported by a 3.67 FIP. His WHIP is a little higher this year at 1.27, but he's limited the damage by only allowing 0.8 HR/9. The problem with Keuchel is that he doesn't record a lot of strikeouts, resulting in a 6.7 K/9. The Diamondbacks have the seventh-highest OPS against left-handed pitchers (.744) in baseball and will get the added bonus of being able to use the designated hitter in Houston, so Keuchel might not have enough upside to warrant considering for your entry.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Zach Eflin, PHI vs. MIA ($7,200): Eflin has improved from his disastrous 2017 campaign, but his numbers don't exactly jump off the page with his 4.42 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. His FIP has been a little better at 3.86 and his biggest improvement has been in terms of strikeouts. After finishing with a 4.9 K/9 last year, he has an 8.4 K/9 this season. He has an unsightly 7.71 ERA and a 2.01 WHIP across his last five starts, but he was somewhat unlucky with opponents recording a .410 BABIP against him. The good news for Friday is that he's been a much better pitcher at home with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP compared to a 5.07 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP on the road. The Marlins have averaged 2.4 runs per game over their last 10 contests and have struggled to score runs all season, making Eflin an intriguing target in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Ji-Man Choi, TB vs. OAK ($3,500): Choi has found a home with the Rays and has been getting regular playing time down the stretch. He's made the most of his opportunity and has been especially hot of late, batting .353 with four home runs and four doubles across his last 10 games. Add in his .397 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this year and he could provide significant value against Edwin Jackson.
SECOND BASE
Jonathan Villar, BAL vs. CWS ($3,200): Villar will face James Shields in this contest, who is having another subpar season with a 4.58 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and a 6.8 K/9. He's been particularly bad on the road with a 5.89 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP across 13 outings. Villar has shown off his combination of speed and power since joining the Orioles, slugging seven home runs and stealing 12 bases in only 38 games.
THIRD BASE
Evan Longoria, SF vs. COL ($3,000): Longoria's first season with the Giants hasn't been terrible, but it hasn't been great, either. He has a career-low 4.6 percent walk rate that has led to a paltry .286 OBP. He's still flashed some power with 15 home runs and 23 doubles in 110 games, but his batting average is all the way down to .248. However, his wOBA is almost 40 points higher against lefties than it is righties and he'll face a struggling one in Tyler Anderson, so he might be worth the risk in tournament play.
SHORTSTOP
Amed Rosario, NYM at BOS ($3,100): Rosario is finishing the season on a high note for the Mets, batting .296 with a 118 wRC+ since August 1. Five of his eight home runs this year also came during that stretch. Like many of the hitters on the Mets, he's struggled at home with a 71 wRC+. However, he has a 104 wRC+ on the road. He'll face Hector Velasquez and his 1.50 WHIP in this contest, making him someone to consider if you need to save money at shortstop.
OUTFIELD
Khris Davis, OAK at TB ($4,300): The A's are making a push to gain home field advantage for the AL Wild Card game. Davis has been one of the driving forces for their offense all season and has already hit at least 40 home runs for the third straight year. He's expensive, but his tremendous power upside still makes him a great option against the Rays, who will be going with another bullpen-game approach Friday.
Stephen Piscotty, OAK at TB ($3,600): Piscotty has had a rebound performance in his first season with the A's, slugging 24 home runs and 39 doubles, both of which are the highest marks of his career. He's been especially hot of late, batting .347 with a 199 wRC+ over his last 25 games. The A's have been a better offensive team on the road this season and Piscotty is no outlier as he has a 137 wRC+ on the road compared to a 111 wRC+ at home.
Kevin Kiermaier, TB vs. OAK ($2,600): Kiermaier is trying to salvage what has been a very disappointing season. He's only played 78 games due to injury and is batting .225 with a .288 wOBA. He's been a different hitter lately, though, with a .375 average and a .453 wOBA across his last 20 games. Jackson's 3.26 ERA looks nice, but his 4.64 FIP and .233 BABIP allowed indicate he's been a bit lucky.
UTILITY
Wilson Ramos, PHI vs. MIA ($2,800): Ramos has proven to be a major addition for the Phillies as he is batting .404 with a 1.060 OPS since joining the team. The Marlins will start Wei-Yin Chen in this contest, which could set up Ramos for another productive evening based on his .396 wOBA against lefties this year.
