This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
We have 12 games on Thursday so there are a lot of exciting options to choose from. In addition, six 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 21.
Pitcher:
Danny Salazar, $8,900: Outside of the top three guys on the board, it is pretty much a crapshoot. Salazar presents the most upside, for the price, of any pitcher available. Salazar has averaged close to double-digit strikeouts per game over his last five outings, and faces a White Sox offense that has been among the league's worst this season. Chicago's 135 runs scored is better than only the Phillies, and their .671 team OPS is tied for the fourth-worst total of any team in the league. While there is certainly risk in going with Salazar, as he had poor showing the last time he took the mound, he is a really nice high-upside play for a decent price. However, if you want to spend money at the pitcher spot, you can never go wrong with Madison Bumgarner ($10,100), especially for the somewhat modest price.
Catcher:
A.J. Pierzynski, $2,500: Pierzynski has been far better than expected this season on his way to a .306/.471/.811 slash line. The Braves' veteran catcher has been especially good against right-handed pitching - .329 average and .857 OPS - and he gets to face struggling right-hander Matt Garza. For the low price of $2,500, Pierzynski presents a great low-cost high-upside option at catcher. Yasmani Grandal ($2,800) is another nice option based on the low price point.
First Base:
Chris Carter, $3,000: Carter has been hitting better of late with two home runs in his last five games and hits in five of his last six. Carter is the definition of boom or bust and has mostly been bust this season. However, for the low price point of $3,000 and a matchup with a left-hander, albeit a good one in David Price, Carter is as decent a bet as anyone on the board to hit a home run. Add in Carter's seemingly better eye over the last few games, three walks to only two strikeouts over his last three games, and Carter is a nice upside play for a low price. If you feel like spending a little more at first base, Wilin Rosario ($3,700) has been playing every day, with Justin Morneau on the D.L., who has a nice matchup against Jerome Williams in Colorado.
Second Base:
Kolten Wong, $3,200: Wong has been a stud so far this season, sporting a .301 average with 5 home runs and has even chipped in three stolen bases for good measure. Though Wong has jumped around the Cardinals lineup, he has batted higher in the order when facing right-handed pitchers, which will be the case against Mets' righty Jacob deGrom. Wong is only the sixth-highest priced second baseman on the board, yet his upside is significantly higher than that. For the relatively low price of $3,200 Wong presents a nice option at second base for a modest investment. If you're not interested in Wong, Robinson Cano ($3,000) continues to be affordably priced, especially when considering that he could bust out ay any moment.
Third Base:
Nick Castellanos, $2,200: Castellanos is the cheapest option on the board, yet is a lock to be in the lineup and could potentially provide a huge return for the ridiculously cheap $2,200 investment. Castellanos has hit safely in eight of the last ten games, and faces a middling Scott Feldman. For such a low price point, Castellanos has almost zero downside. Castellanos will allow you to spread your money across other positions while still having the potential for decent output from the third base position. If you want to spend a little more at third base, Adrian Beltre ($3,100) is still eminently affordable considering the upside, especially facing a struggling Clay Buchholz.
Shortstop:
Erick Aybar, $2,400: Aybar has been white hot lately - .440 average over the last week - and is available at an extremely low price point. In addtion, Aybar has been batting in the leadoff spot since Kole Calhoun was moved to the four-hole, which should help Aybar's counting stats. Add in a matchup with a struggling R.A. Dickey, and Aybar easily offers the best bang for your buck option at shortstop today.
Outfield:
Dexter Fowler, $3,500: Fowler has been hot of late with two home runs and a .316 average over the last week. Fowler is actually having a very solid season across the board, as he is on pace to end up with 17 home runs and 37 stolen bases over the course of the full season. Add in a matchup with an uninspiring Odrisamer Despaigne and Fowler is a solid play for a decent price.
Kole Calhoun, $3,100: Calhoun is having a solid season so far with a .297/.355/.805 slash line to go along with four home runs. In addition, he was recently moved into the four-hole in the Angels lineup and has responded with solid numbers. Calhoun faces R.A. Dickey who has struggled mightily this season to the tune of a 5.76 ERA. Look for Calhoun to take advantage of the aging knuckleballer and put up solid numbers, especially for such a low price point.
Melky Cabrera, $2,500: Cabrera has struggled this season but has been hitting well of late with a .333 average over the last week. Cabrera historically hits right-handed pitching well - career .759 OPS vs. righties - so the matchup with righty Danny Salazar could be fruitful. At the very low price of $2,500, Cabrera offers a solid option with a relatively low floor.
Other Notable Outfielders:
J.D. Martinez, $3,200
Scott Van Slyke, $2,600
