This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Thursday has a light slate overall, but the evening is particularly sparse when it comes to baseball games. There are only four contests on the docket, but you can still play daily fantasy of course. Even with less options than usual, some names stick out as intriguing values. Here are my recommendations.
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PITCHER
Sean Newcomb, ATL at MIA ($7,200): Newcomb has a 3.73 ERA, but he's been even better on the road. Away from Atlanta, he has a 3.39 ERA. The Marlins are a favorable matchup, ranking 29th in runs scored, and their .363 slugging percentage is lowest in the league.
GPP Fade: Trevor Cahill, OAK at MIN ($8,000): Cahill's 3.12 ERA is impressive, but dig a little deeper and you will see why he could be trouble Thursday. His numbers are boosted by a 0.85 home ERA. On the road, he has a startling 6.62 ERA. Minnesota is middling in runs scored, but Cahill on the road still spells trouble for him.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Tyler Glasnow, TAM vs. KAN ($6,300): With only eight pitchers starting, if you want to get a cheap starter, you might as well go with the guy who has the best matchup. The Royals are last in runs scored by a whole 20 runs. Glasnow was pitching in relief for the Pirates, but he's posted a 3.38 ERA as a starter since joining the Rays. Although Tampa Bay is often stingy with their starter's innings, he's also pitched at least 5.0 innings in his last two outings.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Tyler Austin, MIN vs. OAK ($3,200): It's a small sample size, but since joining the Twins, Austin has slashed .333/.382/.667 with three homers in nine games. He never got regular playing time with the Yankees, but he always showed power, as his .482 career slugging percentage indicates. As noted, Trevor Cahill has a 6.62 ERA on the road, and if you think that's a fluke, he had a 7.07 road ERA last season.
SECOND BASE
Ozzie Albies, ATL at MIA ($3,400): Albies impressed in his 2017 debut, but he's taken his game to the next level in 2018. The 21-year-old has 21 homers and 12 stolen bases in 122 games, and he's been just as good on the road as at home. Elieser Hernandez has pitched in 26 games this year, making five starts, and has a 5.08 ERA.
THIRD BASE
Matt Duffy, TAM vs. KC ($2,400): Duffy isn't much of a power hitter, but he has a career .284 batting average, and this year his batting average is up to .293. He also shows a smidge of speed, as he has stolen nine bags in 106 innings. Matt's name doppelganger Danny Duffy will make his first start off the disabled list, and he didn't pitch well before that. Kansas City's Duffy has a 4.81 FIP and has allowed 1.38 homers per nine innings.
SHORTSTOP
Dansby Swanson, ATL at MIA ($2,700): Swanson has had his ups and downs since being the first overall pick in 2015, but he's been on a nice streak recently. Over his last 14 games, the 24-year-old has a .610 slugging percentage and has hit four home runs. Elieser Hernandez has given up 1.27 homers per nine innings, and, as mentioned, he has a 5.08 ERA in his rookie campaign.
OUTFIELD
Kyle Schwarber, CHC vs. CIN ($3,500): Schwarber excels against righties (.882 OPS) and at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field (.885 OPS). Thursday he is at home against Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani, who has a 4.91 FIP and has given up 1.82 home runs per nine innings.
Max Kepler, MIN vs. OAK ($3,200): Like Schwarber, Kepler often benefits from home cooking. The German-born outfielder has a .859 OPS at home. He has 17 homers and has hit at least 17 every season of his career. And he faces Trevor Cahill (see above). Kepler should have another fine outing at Target Field.
Nick Martini, OAK at MIN ($2,700): Martini only plays against righties, as the lefty has only two at-bats against lefties. In those matchups with right-handers pitchers, the 28-year-old has a .309/.422/.456 slash line. Minnesota's Kohl Stewart is a righty, so Martini likely will play. Stewart has made two starts in his career and has a 7.71 ERA in that time.
