This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
We have only ten games on Thursday, so there isn't a wealth of options out there, but there are still a lot of solid values. In addition, three of them are day games, so make sure to check the early lineups to ensure that you don't waste money on players who won't be on the field. Here are our daily value plays for Thursday, June 4.
Pitcher:
Trevor Bauer, $8,500: Bauer has been excellent this season, striking out more than a batter per inning while sporting a solid 2.97 ERA. Bauer has been especially good over the last month - 2.62 ERA and 1.08 WHIP to go along with a 9.4 K/9 - as the young righty seems to finally be harnessing his talent and producing at the high level many hoped he would achieve. In addition, Bauer faces a Royals offense that has struggled mightily after a hot start to the season. Kansas City was among the top-ten worst teams in both runs scored and OPS in the month of May and has averaged just over two runs-per-game in their last nine contests. At $8,500 Bauer offers the best upside for a reasonable price point of any pitcher on the board. If you want to take a flier on a cheaper starter, Erasmo Ramirez ($5,400) is the lowest priced pitcher available and has been good two out of the last four times he has taken the mound. There is a ton of risk with Ramirez, obviously, but he is a decent home run play for an insanely low price.
Catcher:
James McCann, $2,300: McCann has hit well over the last week - a .333 average - and has generally been solid, if unspectacular, as the Tigers everyday catcher. He faces right-hander Jesse Hahn, who has been average, at best, this season. Mostly, the list of backstops available is uninspiring outside of the top guys on the board, so McCann is a relatively safe play for an extremely low price. However, the Tigers play in the first game of the day, so remember to check the early lineups to make sure McCann is slotted to play. If you're willing to pay up a little more at catcher, Stephen Vogt ($3,500) has been outstanding all season and has a great matchup against a struggling Shane Greene
First Base:
Adam LaRoche, $2,800: Laroche has finally started to hit over the last week sporting a .333 average with two home runs and a stellar 1.037 OPS. In addition, the White Sox first baseman heads to Texas to face a less-than-intimidating right-hander in Yovani Gallardo. Laroche has traditionally hit righties well - career .841 OPS - so he should be able to produce against Gallardo in a hitter-friendly environment. When you factor in the low price point, Laroche presents a nice upside play for a comparatively minor investment. Alternatively, if you find yourself with more money to throw at first base, Lucas Duda ($3,900) has been raking lately and has a great matchup against Jeremy Hellickson in Arizona.
Second Base:
Chase Utley, $2,800: Utley seems to have broken out of his slump, as the former star second baseman has hit of late - a .365 average and .941 OPS over the last two weeks - and finally finds himself back above the Mendoza line. Utley faces right-hander Anthony DeSclafani who is having a solid season, but has seen his ERA rise by almost a run and a half over the last month. Add in the relatively low price point - Utley is the 12th highest priced second baseman on the board - and Utley is a great value play today. If you want to spend a few extra shekels, Daniel Murphy ($3,300) is reasonably priced, has a great matchup, and has been among the league's hottest hitters of late.
Third Base:
Ruben Tejada, $2,700: Tejada has been on a tear lately racking up hits like they are going out of style. The Met third baseman has a .476 average over the last week and has multi-hit games in four of his last five contests. Tejada has a great matchup in the desert against Jeremy Hellickson, he of the 5.08 ERA on the season, and is available for a surprisingly low price considering how good he has been recently. Start Tejada and thank me later.
Shortstop:
Wilmer Flores, $2,400: Sticking with the Metropolitans, Flores has been a pleasant fantasy surprise this season as the young shortstop just keeps hitting home runs. Flores' eight bombs are second to only Lucas Duda on the team, and are tied for the most of any shortstop in MLB this season. Add in an incredibly low price point, and a matchup with aforementioned Hellickson, and Flores is a nice upside play among a weak crop of shortstops. Starlin Castro ($2,700) is another nice play for a decent price, as Castro has been solid lately and faces lefty Gio Gonzalez.
Outfield:
Billy Burns, $3,300: Burns has busted out over the last few weeks and has become a dynamite fantasy option for those who were fortunate enough to buy in on him. The speedy outfielder is batting a gaudy .462 over the last week, raising his season-long average to .328, to go along with nine steals in only 29 games played and has even chipped in a couple home runs. In addition, Burns faces Shane Greene who has allowed 11 runs over his last 7.2 innings and is the owner of an ugly 5.19 ERA on the season. At $3,300 Burns is a steal (pun intended), especially with an unexciting crop of outfielders on the board.
Jay Bruce, $3,100: Bruce has struggled to regain the power we have come to expect from him - only seven home runs this season - but has been swinging a hot bat lately with a .375/.512/.500 slash line over the last two weeks. Bruce is available for a relatively cheap price and faces a righty in Aaron Harang who, despite his success so far this season, could blow up at any time. For the price, Bruce is a nice play, especially compared to the outfielders priced similarly to him.
Joey Butler, $2,700: Butler has emerged as a decent fantasy option over his first 26 games with the Rays and is hitting .333 with three home runs on the season. Butler has been especially good against left-handed pitching - a .910 OPS - and faces up and down lefty Roenis Elias. Considering the matchup, Butler is a nice low-end investment at a position lacking many such plays today.
Other Notable Outfielders:
Brandon Moss, $3,700
Adam Eaton, $2,700
