This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
We have 11 games on Thursday so there are a lot of exciting options to choose from. In addition, five 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, May 14.
Pitcher:
Michael Wacha, $8,100: Wacha has been great this season – 2.09 ERA and 1.03 WHIP – despite a lack of strikeouts. The right-hander has been even better in the month of May – 1.42 ERA – and faces an Indians lineup that has been struggling of late. Wacha is especially attractive due to his reasonable price point of $8,100 – $2,400 cheaper than the most expensive pitcher on the board in Johnny Cueto. With Cleveland's offense so anemic, Wacha offers a nice cheaper alternative whose upside is undeniable. But if you want to go extra cheap at pitcher, Brett Anderson ($6,300) presents a nice option against a Rockies offense that has struggled of late, especially on the road.
Catcher:
Wilson Ramos, $3,000: Ramos has been white-hot lately, sporting a league-best 15-game hitting streak. Ramos' .318 average is second among catchers in 2015, and yet the D.C. backstop is just the eighth-most-expensive option in Thursday's action. Look for Ramos to continue his hot streak in a matchup with a less-dominant-than-expected Tyson Ross in San Diego. Worst case, Ramos is a solid option at a lower price point who won't kill you. Salvador Perez ($2,400) offers a cheaper option with a nice matchup who could put up strong numbers.
First Base:
Prince Fielder, $3,100: Fielder has flown under the radar this season, but has actually put up strong number after a lost 2014 season. Fielder's .346 is good for third among first baseman this season, and he has hit two homers in the last three days. Add in a matchup with a soft-tossing righty in Jeremy Guthrie – Fielder has killed right-handed pitching in his career to the tune of a .962 OPS – and Fielder looks even more attractive, especially for the extremely low price point of $3,100.
Second Base:
Robinson Cano, $3,400: Cano has started to heat up in the month of May – .372 average – and has a nice matchup against struggling right-hander Joe Kelly. Kelly has been a disaster of late – 9.58 ERA and 1.94 WHIP in the month of May – and Cano has historically pounded right-handed pitching to the tune of a career .891 OPS. Add in the fact that Cano is only the sixth-highest-priced second baseman, and he's a no-brainer play for the price point. If you're looking for a cheaper option, Chase Utley ($2,500) has hit safely in four of his last five games, and he has a nice matchup against right-hander Vance Worley. While Utley is a boom-or-bust option based on how terrible he's been, there's certainly upside there for the low price.
Third Base:
Trevor Plouffe, $2,800: Plouffe has been a beast in the month of May – a .998 OPS – and faces a struggling Anibal Sanchez who's sporting an ugly 5.40 ERA this month. At $2,700 Plouffe, is the 14th-most-expensive third baseman, offering serious value – that's a lot of upside for that price. If you want to save even more money, though, Thomas Field ($2,200) is a low-end option with a higher ceiling than anyone else in his price range. Field has been solid in his three games in the majors and has a decent matchup against Jeremy Guthrie. As the lowest-priced third baseman, Field could return a huge gain on the most minimal of investments.
Shortstop:
Alcides Escobar, $2,700: Escobar has had a nice season, as he holds a .305 average and surprising .764 OPS, and has stepped up his game in May with a .364 average in addition to launching his only home run of the season. Despite Escobar's lack of stolen bases so far, he's a threat to run in any situation, averaging 28.5 steals per season over the last four years. Add in a matchup with an eminently hittable left-hander in Ross Detwiler, and Escobar presents a nice option for the low price of $2,700.
Outfield:
Brett Gardner, $3,900: Gardner has been a beast this season, posting an .839 OPS with 10 stolen bases, and is among the league leaders in runs scored. Gardner's consistency has been outstanding – he's hit safely in 13 of his last 16 games, including eight games with two or more hits – and gets to face Erasmo Ramirez, which should be reason enough to start him in FanDuel. With 10 outfielders costing more money than Gardner, he offers the best bang for your buck in the upper tier of pricing Thursday.
Carlos Beltran, $2,800: Stacking Yankees against Erasmo is a solid plan. Not only has Ramirez been terrible, but Beltran seems to have finally found his swing. The Yankee veteran has eight hits over his last six games, including his first two home runs of the season. Beltran has raised his average from .187 to .221 (yuck, but still a significant improvement) over the last week, and has historically better against right-handed pitchers. For the low price of $2,800, Beltran is a nice upside play with a relatively low floor.
Ben Revere, $2,600: Revere has stepped up his play in the month of May, posting a .313 average, and is always a threat to steal you a base or two. A matchup with struggling right-hander Vance Worley certainly doesn't hurt either. For the low price of $2,600, Revere is as good a blend of upside and floor as you'll find.
Other Notable Outfielders:
Jacoby Ellsbury, $4,300
Alexander Guerrero, $3,200
