FanDuel MLB: Wednesday Value Plays

FanDuel MLB: Wednesday Value Plays

This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.

The Dodgers offer great value against San Diego and it only takes a few budget plays to open up the cap space to fill out a beefy lineup of bats, especially in the outfield slots.

PITCHER

Kenta Maeda, LAD at SDP ($7,200): Don't fret the unknown, the Padres are who should be worried. Maeda fanned 20 batters through 23 March innings with a 2.35 ERA. His four-pitch arsenal will keep the Padres off balance, and Maeda is unlikely to beat himself given his career 1.9 BB/9 mark through eight seasons in the Japan Central League. And while there are some new faces in the Friars' lineup, San Diego boasts a target worthy .293 wOBA and 88 wRC+ against right-handed hurlers dating back to 2013. Pitcher-friendly Petco Park doesn't hurt Maeda's upside, either.

CATCHER

Wilson Ramos, WAS at ATL ($2,300): Opposing-pitcher Bud Norris allowed a .379 wOBA to right-handed batters last season, and Ramos checks out near minimum price. The backstop has also been at his best historically in April, with monthly highs in OPS (.762), wOBA (.330) and wRC+ (107).

FIRST BASE

Adrian Gonzalez, LAD at SDP ($3,400): With a 4-for-8 beginning to the season, Gonzalez appears to be off to another huge start after posting a .507 wOBA and 233 wRC+ the past two Aprils. Plus, he grabs a juicy matchup against Andrew Cashner, who allowed top-10 marks in slugging percentage (.517) and wOBA (.383) to left-hand hitters last year.

Darin Ruf, PHI at CIN ($2,200): Looking for a cheaper option? Ruf posted a 1.107 OPS, .466 wOBA and 201 wRC+ through 114 plate appearances against lefties last year. The monster numbers were fueled by eight home runs. That being said, Ruf is far from a risk-free start.

SECOND BASE

Cesar Hernandez, PHI at CIN ($2,200): The switch hitter is locked into the leadoff spot and reached base at a .380 clip against southpaws in 2015 with a respectable .339 wOBA and 114 wRC+. Hernandez is also a stolen-base threat after swiping 19 bags in 24 attempts last year.

THIRD BASE

Justin Turner, LAD at SDP ($3,000): Dating back to 2014, Turner has killed right-handed arms to the tune of a .390 wOBA and 154 wRC+. Sure, it is a reverse split, and Cashner's weakness is primarily lefties, but the cap hit is reasonable and Turner hits between Gonzalez and Yasiel Puig (4-for-6 to start the season).

SHORTSTOP

Corey Seager, LAD at SDP ($3,600): Another Dodger off to a strong start and he has the handedness advantage against Cashner. The cap hit is manageable, and Seager has demolished right-handed hurlers in his short career, posting a 1.039 OPS, .254 ISO, .442 wOBA and 186 wRC+.

OUTFIELD

While utilizing the above infielders and Maeda puts every outfielder -- A Bryce Harper-George Springer-Andrew McCutchen combo would fit under the cap -- in play, here are a number of values down the price list.

Miguel Sano, MIN at BAL ($3,300): A risk-reward option, Sano boasted a reverse split in his rookie campaign with a .273 ISO, .397 wOBA and 154 wRC+ against right-handed hurlers. Opposing-pitcher Yovani Gallardo has been reduced to a smoke-and-mirrors act on the mound with a low-90s fastball, and he allowed a 29.5 hard-hit percentage to right-handed batters in 2015.

Gregory Polanco, PIT vs. STL ($3,300): A second-half surge last year saw Polanco improve his ISO by 50 points, wOBA by 15 points and wRC+ by 27. He is off to a 3-for-6 start with two extra-base hits and has been better against righties to start his career with a respectable .327 wOBA and 110 wRC+. Plus, his speed adds upside, and Mike Leake isn't nearly as strong against left-handed hitters with a .334 wOBA compared to his .311 mark against righty bats for his career.

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. Neil Parker plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: naparker77, DraftKings: naparker77.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil Parker
A loyal Cubs, Cowboys and Maple Leafs fan for decades, Neil has contributed to RotoWire since 2014. He previously worked for USA Today Fantasy Sports.
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