This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Welcome to another edition of our FanDuel value plays for Wednesday, August 12. There are 10 games on tonight's sleight, with all sorts of different options to choose from. The division races are starting to heat up as we enter the last six weeks of the season, and this is the time of year when big name players like to step up. As usual, be sure to keep an eye on any last minute lineup changes and check in on any players who are dealing with minor injuries. Good Luck!
Starting Pitcher:
Gerrit Cole, $10,400 - Tonight's start might be the biggest one of Cole's season as the Pirates take on the division-leading Cardinals in St. Louis. The 24-year old right-hander is having a spectacular season up to this point, holding a 14-5 record with a 2.39 ERA and 143 strikeouts across 143.1 innings pitched. Cole has surprisingly only pitched against the Cardinals once this season, a game in which he won 5-2 back on July 10. Pittsburgh will try to cut into the six-game lead tonight, and there is no one that they'd rather have on the mound. Mark Buehrle would be a cheaper option at $7,800 and with the way Toronto is playing over the last few weeks, it's hard to see them losing at home against a struggling A's team.
Catcher:
Travis d'Arnaud, $3,000 – D'Arnaud returned from the disabled list on July 31, and has seen the majority of his season shortened due to injuries. The 26-year old catcher only has 101 at-bats on the season and over that time, he's batted .277 with five home runs and 18 RBI. Translate that to 500 at-bats and you've got 25 home runs and 90 RBI, which is great production out of the catcher position. D'Arnaud hit a home run on Monday and has recorded three hits and three runs over his last two games. He'll get left-hander Jorge De La Rosa of the Rockies on Wednesday which should be a favorable matchup. Yan Gomes would be another option at $2,800 if D'Arnaud isn't in the lineup.
First Base:
Adam Lind, $3,400 – 2015 is Lind's first season as a Brewer, and he's made it one of the better years of his career up to this point. He's hitting .287 with 17 home runs and 66 RBI's and he's been one of the only bright spots on a struggling Brewers team. Lind went 2-for-4 last night with a home run and two RBI, and he hit a second ball that just missed the center field net at Wrigley for what would have been his second home run of the night. The 32-year old first baseman is batting .301 against righties this season with all 17 of his home runs, and he gets a matchup with right-hander Jason Hammel tonight in Chicago. Pedro Alvarez is also a hot hitter as of late, and he'd be a cheaper option at $2,500.
Second Base:
Addison Russell, $2,300 – Although Russell is still listed at second base, he's started the last four games at shortstop for the Cubs and manager Joe Maddon confirmed on Tuesday that he will remain at shortstop moving forward. We know Russell has all sorts of talent and that it's only a matter of time before he breaks out. He's got eight hits in his last eight games to go along with four runs scored and four RBI. The Cubs get Matt Garza of the Brewers on Wednesday who enters with a 4.95 ERA, and with such a low price tag, Russell could be a bargain at $2,300.
Third Base:
Kris Bryant, $3,300 – Bryant hasn't quite emerged as the rookie Phenom that everyone expected just yet, but he's still been very productive for a Cubs team that's very much alive in the playoff hunt. Despite a .249 average (which should rise), Bryant has 15 home runs and 65 RBI in 369 at-bats. He's currently on an eight-game hitting streak and he should have a great opportunity to make it nine against Matt Garza of the Brewers on Wednesday. At $3,300, Bryant holds a ton of value.
Shortstop:
Troy Tulowitzki, $4,300 – Toronto is on a nine-game winning streak and it all started with a trade that saw them acquire arguably the best shortstop in the game today. Tulowitzki is batting .290 with 15 home runs and 59 RBI on the year and he's been a vital piece to the Blue Jays' recent success. He has the ability to put up monster numbers on any given night, and he'll get a matchup against Aaron Brooks of the A's on Wednesday who'll be making just the fourth start of his career. It's hard to imagine the Jays' streak coming to an end tonight, and despite the price tag, Tulowitzki could be in for a big night.
Outfield:
Jose Bautista, $5,100 – This price tag is certainly high, but if you can afford it, take Bautista on Wednesday. He's on an absolute tear as of late as he's hit four bombs in his last six games which brings him to a total of 27 on the season. The 79 RBI and 74 runs have been a big bonus as well despite the .240 average. He gets the same matchup against Aaron Brooks of the A's as the Blue Jays will look to win their 10th game in a row.
Lorenzo Cain, $3,800 – Cain went 4-for-4 with a double, home run and two runs scored on Tuesday in a win over Detroit. He's now hit safely in five straight games, recording 10 hits during that span. Cain is batting .316 on the season with 12 long balls and 51 RBI to go along with 20 stolen bags. He'll get a juicy matchup against Daniel Norris of the Tigers on Wednesday who holds a 4.24 ERA from the left-side.
Jorge Soler, $2,700 – This would make Cubs' hitter No. 3 on the day, as we look to load up against Matt Garza and the Brewers. Soler is on a 10-game hitting streak which has raised his average up to .271 on the year. He's recorded eight RBI and five runs scored in those 10 games and he'll have a good opportunity to keep the streak alive at home against Milwaukee.
Other Notable Outfielders:
Brett Gardner, $3,200
Chris Colabello, $2,800
