This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Welcome back to another edition of our FanDuel value picks for Wednesday July 1. Tonight's contests include 11 games with all sorts of options to choose from. We are one week closer to the mid-summer classic which will allow the guys who are banged up a little down time to get healthy. As usual, be sure to check last minute lineup changes and check in on any players with day-to-day injuries. Below are the guys that should provide good value for their current price tag.
Starting Pitcher:
Aaron Harang, $6,800 - This might be a risky selection based on his performance over the last seven starts, but Harang is more than due at this point. He is 0-7 in his last seven starts and has given up four or more runs in five straight games. So why am I suggesting we select him today? Harang got off to a great start this season as he held an ERA below 2.00 through his first 10 starts, and he'll be pitching at home against a Brewers team that sits near the bottom of the league many offensive categories. Over the course of his career, Harang has pitched very well against many of the guys in the Brewers lineup including Ryan Braun who holds a .206 average against the veteran pitcher. The Phillies starter is going to get back on track tonight.
Catcher:
Salvador Perez, $2,500 - Perez is one of the better offensive catchers in the league and he bats in the middle of a very good Royals lineup which provides him all sorts of opportunity. He's hit three of his 13 home runs in his last 46 at-bats and he'll get a nice matchup against Trevor May of the Twins on Wednesday who enters with an ERA of 4.62.
First Base:
Brandon Belt, $3,000 - Belt bats right in the middle of the Giants lineup and he's showed good production up to this point. Despite a .264 average, Belt has nine home runs and 33 RBI to go along with 34 runs scored. He gets a date with Marlins starter Dan Haren on Wednesday in Miami who's seen his velocity decline over the last couple of years. Belt holds good value at a price tag of $3,000 and he should be a solid pick on Wednesday night.
Second Base:
Dee Gordon, $3,000 - I've taken Gordon a ton this season and I just can't get off of the bandwagon. He's batting average is at a gaudy .351 to go along with 26 stolen bags and 40 runs scored. Gordon finally hit his first home run of the season on Tuesday which happened to be an inside the park home run. With steals counting as double and the fact that he's leading the league in hits by nine, it's hard to argue the value at a price tag of just $3,000. Gordon is a solid play every time he takes the field.
Third Base:
Chase Headley, $2,600 - Let's face it, Headley isn't the same player from a couple of years ago in San Diego. However, he does still bat in a powerful Yankees lineup which provides all sorts of opportunity for production. Headley's hit eight home runs this season to go along with 28 RBI and 38 runs scored, and he'll have a nice matchup against Matt Shoemaker of the Angels on Wednesday who enters with an awful ERA of 5.03. In his last 53 at-bats, Headley has hit two home runs and scored 11 runs.
Shortstop:
Alcides Escobar, $2,600 - Escobar will get that same matchup against Trevor May of the Twins that we discussed with Salvador Perez. When this young shortstop entered the league for the Brewers, work around the league was that he'd never be able to hit in the big leagues. He's proven the critics wrong and he's off to another nice start in 2015. Escobar is batting .281 with 37 runs scored. He's been a big part of the Royals newfound success over the last year and a half and he can provide solid value at such a low price tag.
Outfield:
A.J. Pollock, $3,800 - Pollock is having a phenomenal season up to this point for the Diamondbacks as he's emerged as one of the better five tool players in the league. He can provide good production in all five categories and he's only going to get better. Pollock will have a nice matchup against Brett Anderson of the Dodgers on Wednesday and he should have a nice night.
Adam Jones, $3,200 - Jones was dealing with a shoulder injury over the last few weeks, but has since returned to the Orioles lineup full time. He's still hit 10 home runs in 257 at-bats up to this point and holds a strong .292 average. When healthy, Jones is one of the best all-around outfielders in all of baseball. The Orioles will get Nick Martinez of the Rangers on Wednesday and Jones is much more valuable than his current price tag of $3,200.
Christian Yelich, $2,800 - After a breakout 2014 season, Yelich got off to an awful start in 2015. He was drafted reasonably high in most leagues, and he entered as a top 75 overall player before the season. Over his last two weeks, Yelich is batting .308 and seems to be turning the corner after a brutal early-season slump. His overall talent and ability well exceed the $2,800 price tag and if he has in fact turned the corner, then he could be in for a big second half of the season.
