This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
We have 10 games Thursday, so there's a wealth of options out there. In addition, four of them are day games; so make sure to check the early lineups to ensure you don't waste money on players who won't be on the field. Here are our daily value plays for Thursday, August, 6.
Pitcher:
Eduardo Rodriguez, ($7,700): Zach Greinke ($12,600) is by far the best play on the board based on talent and matchup. However, the price for Greinke is exorbitant; it may make sense to take a shot on a cheaper option. Should you decide to take this route, which may be smart in tournament play, Eduardo Rodriguez presents the best blend of upside and an affordable price of any other option available. Rodriguez has flashed plus stuff in his 66.1 innings at the major league level this season, and is certainly a pitcher to watch moving into the future. The 22-year-old left-hander has been especially good on the road - 2.93 ERA - and has proven that he can put forth a dominant performance any time he takes the hill. While the matchup with the Yankees is not the best, Rodriguez has proven that if his stuff is working, the matchup won't matter. And while you can never play for wins, they are worth four points in FanDuel scoring, and a matchup with the struggling CC Sabathia certainly offers potential for Rodriguez to come out victorious.
Catcher:
Yasmani Grandal, ($3,400): Grandal has been a stud this season. The 26-year-old is enjoying a breakout season and yet is still only the fourth most expensive catcher on the board and is considerably less expensive than the top option Buster Posey ($4,800). Take advantage of this. Grandal has an outstanding matchup with struggling right-hander David Buchanan, especially considering that the game is in Philadelphia. Add in that Grandal is batting .500 over the last week and has a .921 OPS vs. right-handed pitching this season, and he is clearly a terrific play at a weak position.
First Base:
Mike Napoli, $2,600): Napoli has been atrocious this season. The veteran's .701 OPS is 83 points lower than any other season in his career. However, Napoli has shown some signs of life lately sporting a .300 average and three home runs over the last 14 days. In addition, Napoli faces CC Sabathia who is having a terrible season as his 5.54 ERA would attest. Sabathia has been especially bad vs. right-handed hitters with a .927 OPS allowed. On the flip side, as bad as Napoli has been this season, he still has an .865 OPS vs. left-handed pitchers, making him an outstanding upside play for an extremely low price point. If you are willing to spend a little more coin at first base, Anthony Rizzo ($4,100) has been white hot lately - .500 average and four home runs over the last week - and has a great matchup at home against Chris Heston who has struggled on the road and against left-handed batters.
Second Base:
Jace Peterson, ($3,400): Peterson has been hot and cold this season, but has been hitting lately with a .321 average and two home runs over the last week. Peterson has been much better against right-handed pitching and has also been significantly better at home than the road. Luckily for Peterson, he faces uninspiring right-hander Jose Urenas at home in Atlanta. While his price point is slightly higher than you would like to see; between his hot bat and the matchup Peterson makes for a strong play at a thin position.
Third Base:
Matt Carpenter, (3,200): Carpenter has been on a tear lately. After struggling for much of the season after the month of April, the 29-year-old seems to be getting back on track with .435 average and a surprising four home runs over the last week. Carpenter has been especially good against right-handed pitching this season - .866 OPS - and faces righty Michael Lorenzen who has struggled immensely this season. Lastly, since Carpenter's cold streak was so prolonged that his price point is still below where it probably should be, so take advantage of this while you can, especially with a matchup as good as this.
Shortstop:
Xander Bogaerts, ($3,700): Bogaerts just keeps hitting and is now batting .315 on the season and an impressive .356 over the last month. Though his price point has raised some recently, he is still affordable considering the upside. Especially when you take in to account that he faces previously mentioned CC Sabathia who has been terrible against right-handed hitters this season. Add in the 22-year-old shortstop's ridiculous .945 OPS vs. left-handed pitching in 2015 and Bogaerts is a surefire play today.
Outfield:
Aaron Hicks, ($2,900): Hicks has had a nice season for Minnesota after struggling in his first two stints in the majors over the last two seasons. Hicks has especially turned it on lately with a .311/.381/.446 slash line over the last month. Hicks has also been extremely dangerous against left-handed pitching - 1.022 OPS - this season and faces Mark Buerhle in the hitter-friendly confines of the Rogers Center. Hicks is an outstanding upside play at a very affordable price point.
Chris Coghlan, ($2,800): Coghlan has been a mainstay in the Chicago lineup against right-handed pitching and the 30-year-old vet has, for the most part, come through. Coghlan is sporting a .798 OPS against righties and has played well over the last month - .813 OPS - and faces right-hander Chris Heston at Wrigley. Heston has had a great season, especially considering his quick rise to prominence, but has struggled on the road - 4.01 ERA - and has been considerably worse against left-handed batters. Add in the low price point and Coghlan is a nice play for a minimal investment.
Andre Ethier, ($2,700): Ethier has been a valuable platoon player in fantasy this season. The 33-year-old vet has a strong .279/.360/.475 slash line on the season and has been especially hot lately with a .385 average and two home runs over the last week. Also, Ethier has been great against right-handed pitching - .872 OPS - and faces righty David Buchanan and his 6.44 ERA in Philadelphia. Between the price point and the matchup, Ethier is a no-brainer play.
Other Notable Outfielders:
Preston Tucker, $3,300
Brandon Moss, $2,200
