This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
After a wild opener that included five home runs, the Mariners and A's will conclude their trip to Japan on Thursday. The last game of this series also presents another opportunity to play FanDuel's single-game contest. In this contest, there is an MVP spot that receives 2x the points, an All-Star spot that receives 1.5x the points and three utility positions. Let's examine some of the best options to consider while crafting your entry.
MVP
Matt Chapman, OAK ($9,000): Chapman started the season in style with a home run, a double and three RBIs on Wednesday. The power should come as no surprise considering he hit 24 home runs and 42 doubles in 2018. He'll face left-hander Yusei Kikuchi in this matchup, and even though he had better numbers against righties, he didn't exactly struggle with a .352 wOBA against lefties last year. He has one of the highest upsides of anyone on either team.
Mitch Haniger, SEA ($8,500): Haniger drove in a run Wednesday, but was held hitless in what was a quiet showing. The good news is that he'll be batting second in the Mariners lineup this year in front of some great power threats in Jay Bruce, Edwin Encarnacion and Domingo Santana. He won't have the platoon advantage facing right-hander Marco Estrada on Thursday, but don't let that shy you away from Haniger considering he had a 135 wRC+ against righties last year.
All-Star
Khris Davis, OAK ($9,000): Davis is one of the top power bats in baseball, slugging at least 42 home runs in three consecutive seasons. He mashed another one in the opener off of Marco Gonzales, which was encouraging since he only had a .483 slugging percentage against lefties last year compared to a .572 slugging percentage against righties. Chapman might be the safer bet for production, but Davis is also worthy of being considered for one of the points-multiplier positions.
Domingo Santana, SEA ($5,500): Santana was a trendy sleeper pick leading up to the season now that he has secure playing time with the Mariners. Despite posting a 127 wRC+ and a 3.3 WAR for the Brewers in 2017, he was moved to a reserve role last year after the team brought in Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain. His power upside makes him particularly appealing in this matchup against Marco Estrada, who has allowed at least 1.5 HR/9 in back-to-back seasons.
Utility
Jay Bruce, SEA ($7,500): With Estrada so prone to giving up home runs, targeting the power hitters on the Mariners might be a sound strategy. Bruce isn't the cheapest of options, but he won't destroy your budget, either. Add in his career .346 wOBA against right-handed pitchers and he's an intriguing utility option.
Stephen Piscotty, OAK ($6,500): Piscotty's first season with the A's started off slowly, especially in the power department. He had only three home runs and 12 doubles through his first 189 plate appearances, but he rebounded to mash 24 home runs and 29 doubles across his final 416 plate appearances. He has a career 130 wRC+ against lefties, so he could provide value at this reasonable price.
Tim Beckham, SEA ($5,000): Beckham couldn't have started the season any better after going 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs on Wednesday. After playing only 96 games for the Orioles last year, Beckham begins his career with the Mariners as their starting shortstop. He strikes out a ton, but his power upside makes him a cheap option that might be worth taking a chance on against Estrada.
Chad Pinder, OAK ($4,500): Pinder found himself in a great spot within the A's lineup Wednesday, batting behind Davis and ahead of Matt Olson. Despite his struggles against righties last year, he thrived with a .361 wOBA against lefties. With another one on the mound Thursday, taking a chance on Pinder could pay off while also helping to free up your budget.
