FanDuel MLB: Wednesday Value Plays

FanDuel MLB: Wednesday Value Plays

This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.

Pitcher

Luke Weaver, STL at MIL ($6,800): Weaver has now made three starts for the Cardinals, filling in after injuries to Mike Leake and Michael Wacha. If he can maintain the momentum from his last two starts, he can steal a spot in the rotation as the Cardinals push for a National League playoff spot (they currently have a 2.5 game cushion over the Pirates and Mets for the last wild card spot). In his most recent start, Weaver allowed one run in six innings while striking out seven. He has allowed a HR in each of his three big league starts but his HR/9 in the minors this year was under 0.5. The 24.6 percent K-rate looks sustainable as it was a few points higher in the minors. Opposing him is a Brewers squad that hold the highest strikeout rate in the league with a 25.5 percent K-rate.

Catcher

Wilson Ramos, WAS at PHI ($3,200): Ramos holds a wRC+ of 152 against lefties this season. He faces southpaw Adam Morgan who has really struggled to keep the ball in the park against right-handers, allowing a 2.63 HR/9 to them.

First Base

Mike Napoli, CLE vs. MIN ($3,600): When you combine Napoli's home and lefty splits you're looking at a pretty elite hitter given his 175 wRC+. Hitting lefties well has been a hallmark of Napoli's career as his wRC+ split is 28 points higher than that against righties. On the mound for the Twins is left-hander Pat Dean making his eighth MLB start. Thus far he's recorded a 6.24 ERA and 4.56 xFIP with a .410 wOBA against righties.

Second Base

Ryan Schimpf, SD at ATL ($3,000): Over the past two months Schimpf hasn't just been good, he's been one of the best hitters in baseball. Through July and August, Schimpf holds a 177 wRC+ and a powerful .429 ISO as 32 of his 43 hits have gone for extra bases, with 16 of them home runs. As a lefty he gets platooned a little, but his ability to hit right-handed pitching is not to be questioned. He'll face off against right-hander Matt Wisler, who holds a 5.38 xFIP against left-handed batters this season.

Third Base

Anthony Rendon, WAS at PHI ($3,600): Rendon will bring his 133 wRC+ split against lefties this season into a favorable matchup against Morgan. Rendon's ISO over the second half of the season sits at .245, nearly 100 points above his first half number, with a matching bump in his power numbers. Josh Donaldson has been unconscionably dominant at the plate in recent days but for a $1,000 discount, I'll take Rendon.

Shortstop

Zack Cozart, CIN at LAA ($3,000): Back in the two-hole, Cozart offers very good value in a game with a 9.0 over/under. Ricky Nolasco has been poor for what is now a third consecutive season, allowing a 5.24 ERA and 1.45 HR/9. Cozart has serviceable numbers on the road against righties with a 105 wRC+. Batting right behind Billy Hamilton also gives some potential complementary stolen base upside as well.

Outfield

Billy Hamilton, CIN at LAA ($3,100): The stolen base enigma doesn't warrant traditional assessment. To reach value, especially at this low price, all Hamilton needs to do is get on base and that's exactly what he's been doing. His .369 OBP in August is the highest of any month in his career, driven be a spike in plate discipline and a 12.5 percent BB-rate. Hamilton has 19 stolen bases so far in August, tying his best performance in a calendar month – he should eclipse that mark tonight.

Rajai Davis, CLE vs. MIN ($3,300): Davis is from a similar mold as Hamilton. He's more valuable when a lefty is on the mound just because he often finds himself in the leadoff spot. Stealing bases against lefties is not as easy as against righties, but Davis has still swiped 12 of his 33 SB this season against lefties.

Jayson Werth, WAS at PHI ($3,900): Capitalizing further on Morgan's struggles against righties, Werth is the premier lefty masher on the Nationals and sports a 179 wRC+ gainst them on the season.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Alex Spalding plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: ajump08, DraftKings: ajump08.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Spalding
Alex splits his expertise between College Basketball, NBA, NFL, MLB, and Saturday morning BPL. You'll find him under the username ajump08 on DraftKings and FanDuel.
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