This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Welcome to Saturday's edition of our FanDuel value plays. As the first half of the season comes to a close this weekend, players across the league are trying to finish strong in hopes to kickstart a good second half. There are tight division races throughout the league, and things will get very interesting over the next couple months. The majority of Saturday's games are in the early-to-mid afternoon, which leaves us with just seven night games from which to choose our rosters. Be sure to check last-minute lineup changes as well as players who might be battling nagging injuries.
Pitcher
Taylor Jungmann, $6,300 - Jungmann has impressed in six career starts. He's 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 37 innings. The Brewers youngster will have a tough matchup out west against the Dodgers, but based on the recent production and a low price, it's hard not to select him. Jungmann is 3-0 on the road with a 2.67 ERA.
Catcher
Brian McCann, $3,600 - The Yankees have to be more than pleased with McCann's production in his second season in New York. He's tied for second in home runs among catchers with 14, one shy of the Astros' Evan Gattis. McCann's 53 RBI are third among catchers, and it seems as if he's getting more and more comfortable in pinstripes each day. If McCann isn't in the lineup Saturday, Wilson Ramos would also be a nice option at $2,800.
First Base
Brandon Belt, $3,000 - I love the Giants hitters against Phillies starter David Buchanan, who is 0-5 with an 8.76 ERA in five starts. Belt's numbers against righties and lefties are night and day. He's hitting .302 against right-handed pitching with all nine of his home runs and 34 of his 36 RBI. This matchup will put the Giants first baseman in his comfort zone, and surprisingly there are seven first basemen priced higher.
Second Base
Kolten Wong, $2,900 - Although Wong gets the Pirates' A.J. Burnett, who's tearing it up this season, I still like the righty-lefty matchup in a hitter-friendly park. Wong is a true five-tool threat who's having a great season. Wong is batting .287 against right-handers, which includes eight of his nine home runs. His price is slightly lower than normal because he just returned from a concussion. This will be his third consecutive game since returning, which suggests no lingering symptoms.
Third Base
Aramis Ramirez, $3,200 - Ramirez has been one of the league's hottest hitters the last two weeks, batting .341 with 13 RBI in his last 41 at-bats. The Brewer is a notorious second-half hitter, and it seems as if he's hitting that second-half stride as we speak. Ramirez is expected to retire after this season, and you know he wants have a nice run on his way out. Brandon Beachy will make his first start of the season for the Dodgers, which could be a bit rocky. Expect Ramirez to continue the hot streak leading into the All-Star break.
Shortstop
Brandon Crawford, $2,800 - This is the second of three Giants hitters we're taking, and it poses as another great righty-lefty matchup against a pitcher who's been handing out runs lately. Although Crawford has a better average against lefties than righties, he has hit nine of his 12 home runs against right-handed pitchers. Look for things to get ugly early for David Buchanan and the Phillies.
Outfield
Hanley Ramirez, $3,900 - In his first season as a Red Sox, Ramirez has certainly regained the power stroke we were so used to seeing earlier in his career. The veteran shortstop is taking advantage of the Green Monster in left as he's pounded 18 home runs in just 279 at-bats. His main struggle so far has been staying on the field, but when healthy he's been more than productive for fantasy owners in the first half. The Red Sox have a home matchup against Ivan Nova, who's failed to get through six innings in each of his last two starts.
Hunter Pence, $3,000 - We're taking yet another Giants hitter. Pence bats in the middle of a solid lineup, and he should also love the matchup against Buchanan. Pence is batting .291 on the season in just 79 at-bats. He'll look to have a big second half for a team that should again contend down the stretch.
Seth Smith, $2,500 - Nearly all of Smith's at-bats have come against right-handers this season (17 AB vs. LHP), and he should be in the lineup against mediocre Rangers righty Colby Lewis, who has a 4.83 ERA. Smith has a career .832 OPS against righties, and 25 of his 28 extra-base hits this year have come against right-handers. At $2,500, Smith provides plenty of value in a hitter-friendly park in Arlington.
Other Notables
Jacoby Ellsbury, $4,000
Adam Jones, $3,300
