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's only one afternoon game Friday, leaving 14 games to choose from for the main evening slate on FanDuel.
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STARTING PITCHER
Jacob deGrom, NYM at WAS ($12,100): You wouldn't know it by looking at his 8-9 record, but deGrom is having one of the more impressive seasons in recent memory. He's only allowed more than three runs in a game one time this season, which came in his third start of the year against the Marlins, of all teams. He's also allowed just 10 home runs across 202 innings to go along with a miniscule 0.95 WHIP. Add in his career-high 11.2 K/9 and the end result has been a 1.78 ERA that is supported by a 2.05 FIP. Even though wins haven't been easy to come by, deGrom has been so dominant that he could be worth paying up for in this contest.
GPP Fade: Jose Berrios, MIN at OAK ($8,400): Berrios has shown improvement by lowering his ERA and WHIP in each season that he has been in the majors. His 11.1 percent swinging-strike rate this year has help boost his K/9 to 9.3. He's also shown better control by throwing a first pitch strike to 64.8% of the batters that he has faced and issuing 2.7 BB/9. The problem for this game is that he'll have to face a hot A's lineup that has scored 31 runs over their last two games and at least five runs in nine of their last 13 contests.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Wei-Yin Chen, MIA vs. CIN ($7,600): A first glance at Chen's numbers doesn't exactly instill a lot of confidence. His 4.93 ERA is backed by a 4.60 FIP and he's allowed too many baserunners with a 1.35 WHIP. Home runs have been an issue for him also, allowing 1.4 per nine innings. However, most of his struggles have come on the road where he has a 9.29 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP across 12 starts. In 12 games at home, he has a sparkling 1.77 ERA to go along with a 0.99 WHIP. He's not generally a great source for strikeouts, but he does have an 8.4 K/9 at home compared to a 6.3 K/9 on the road. The Reds have only averaged 2.5 runs in their last 10 games, so Chen might be worth the risk in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Ji-Man Choi, TB at TOR ($3,700): Choi has been a valuable addition for the Rays, batting .266 with a .358 OBP to go along with eight home runs and 11 doubles across 179 plate appearances. He doesn't play much against left-handed pitchers, but he's someone to consider for your entry facing Sean Reid-Foley based on his .378 wOBA against right-handers. Reid-Foley has also allowed six homers over just 26 innings.
SECOND BASE
Jeff McNeil, NYM at WAS ($3,400): There haven't been a lot of bright spots offensively for the Mets this season, but McNeil has been one of them. He's hit .337 through his first 190 plate appearances and has shown a good eye at the plate with a .391 OBP. He's provided some power, as well, with a .500 slugging percentage. He'll be facing Joe Ross, who will be making only his second start of the year. Ross had a respectable first performance when he allowed two runs over five innings, but it's concerning that he didn't record a single strikeout.
THIRD BASE
Joey Wendle, TB at TOR ($3,000): Wendle doesn't provide much power, but he's not someone to overlook. He's hit .302 for the season and has been even better of late, batting .349 with a .400 OBP in September. Not only has Reid-Foley allowed plenty of home runs, but he has a bloated 1.54 WHIP, making Wendle another Ray to target.
SHORTSTOP
Adalberto Mondesi, KAN at DET ($3,400): Mondesi has shown a great combination of speed and power this year, slugging 11 home runs to go along with 26 steals in 66 games. His 3.2 percent walk rate and 26.4 percent strikeout rate are both concerning for his long-term prognosis, but there's no doubt that he's on a great hot streak right now. He'll face Francisco Liriano and his 1.50 WHIP in this game, giving him an excellent opportunity to continue his recent run of success.
OUTFIELD
Mitch Haniger, SEA at TEX ($3,800): Haniger has gone 15-for-37 (.405) with two home runs and two doubles during his current nine-game hitting streak. He's taken full advantage of the Rangers terrible pitching staff this year, posting a 1.061 OPS against them in 12 games. He's been even better playing at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington where he has a 1.464 OPS across six games.
Michael Conforto, NYM at WAS ($3,300): Conforto's .239 batting average has been a disappointment, but his 12.7 percent walk rate is actually better than his career mark and he's still hitting for power with 27 home runs, eight of which have come in September. He has a .292 wOBA at home this year, but he's been more dangerous on the road with a .373 wOBA. Of note, 12 of the 19 games he has played in September have been on the road.
Kevin Kiermaier, TB at TOR ($2,800): Kiermaier's overall numbers haven't fully rebounded from a horrible start, but he has a 176 wRC+ across his last 25 games. He's been an extra-base machine during that stretch, recording three home runs, five doubles and six triples. Add in his 215 wRC+ against righties over that same time period and he could cause problems for Reid-Foley.
UTILITY
Aaron Hicks, NYY vs. BAL ($3,200): Hicks has had trouble staying on the field during his career, but he's managed to play 130 games this season. Not only has he been a great source for power with 24 home runs, but he's posted a .365 OBP. He has a .360 wOBA against righties and will face an underwhelming one in Yefry Ramirez, who has allowed 10 runs across 12 innings against the Yankees this year.
