This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
We have only nine 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 11.
Pitcher:
Tanner Roark, $5,800: Roark is the fourth-cheapest pitcher on the board despite being a quality MLB starter. Though Roark does not get a lot of strikeouts - 17 in 37.0 innings - he has still put up solid numbers - 3.16 ERA and 1.19 WHIP - while filling in for Doug Fister. Roark was outstanding in 2014 - 15 wins to go along with a 2.85 ERA and 1.09 WHIP - and has proven that he can have success on the major league level. Add in a matchup with the Brewers, who have scored the fifth-least amount of runs of any team in MLB this season, and Roark presents a nice low-end play that will allow you to spread money over your other positions. Considering the lack of surefire starting pitching on the board, Roark is the best bang-for-your-buck option available. If you are willing to spend more money at pitcher, Garrett Richards ($8,600) has a great matchup against the Rays and is always a threat to put forth a dominant performance, even despite some recent struggles.
Catcher:
Jonathan Lucroy, $2,700: LuCroy has struggled since returning from the DL, but seems to be turning it around of late with a .333 average and his only home run of the season over the last week. LuCroy is still priced far below his normal value due to his below-average play since returning, which offers a nice buying opportunity for FanDuel players. As the ninth-highest priced catcher, LuCroy offers the best combination of price point and upside of any catcher on the board. Stephen Vogt ($3,200) is another nice play for a slightly higher price.
First Base:
Freddie Freeman, $3,700: Freeman has been hot lately batting .364 with a pair over home runs over the last week. As the sixth-highest price first baseman available, Freeman is a great play for a reasonable cost. Freeman has hit four home runs over his last nine games, and faces struggling righty Andrew Cashner. Freeman has torched right-handed pitching this season to the tune of a .923 OPS, and has hit nine of his ten home runs against righties as well. Cashner has been terrible over the last two weeks - 10.45 ERA in the last 14 days - and has yielded an ugly .886 OPS to left-handed hitters. Add all this up and Freeman is an outstanding play for the price.
Second Base:
DJ LeMahieu, $3,200: LeMahieu just keeps hitting. The Rockies' second baseman is enjoying a breakout season - .348 average - and has been extra hot as of late sporting a .423 average over the last week. LeMahieu faces Marlins righty David Phelps, who has struggled this season. In addition, LeMahieu has scorched right-handed pitching this season - .902 OPS vs. righties - so the matchup with Phelps should prove to be fortuitous. For the reasonable price of $3,200, LeMahieu is a great play for a less-than-expected investment. Robinson Cano ($2,400) has been terrible this season, but has been slightly better lately and has a great matchup against Shawn Marcum. For an extremely low price, Cano offers a lot of upside for a very minimal cost.
Third Base:
Giovanny Urshela, $2,200: Urshela is a clear upside play. As the lowest-priced third baseman on the board, Urshela presents a nice low-risk, high-reward play at the hot corner. Urshela hit well in the minors - 18 home runs in 485 AB's in 2014 - and, as a right-handed bat, faces lefty J.A. Happ who has struggled immensely this season. While Urshela is mostly an unknown, the combination of the matchup and the insanely low price points makes him a nice play at third base, especially considering the other uninspiring options on the board.
Shortstop:
Xander Bogaerts, $2,600: Bogaerts has finally been living up to some of his potential this season - .296/.341/.398 slash line - though he has still yet to fully break out. However, the young shortstop has been hot lately with a .400 average over the last week, and faces Chris Tillman who is sporting an atrocious 5.61 ERA and 1.62 WHIP this season. With the list of available shortstops being lackluster outside of Troy Tulowitzki ($4,500), Bogaerts offers a strong play at a very reasonable price.
Outfield:
Delino DeShields Jr., $3,300: DeShields has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners this season, as he has spent the last few weeks leading off for the Rangers. With 13 stolen bases in 44 games, DeShields has become one of the premier speedsters in fantasy, which is huge for FanDuel play. Add in a matchup with lefty Scott Kazmir, DeShields has been outstanding against left-handed pitching to the tune of a .931 OPS, and the speedy Texas outfielder offers a ton of upside for a relatively moderate investment.
Marcell Ozuna, $3,100: Ozuna has been one of the hottest hitting outfielders in the league - .423 average and a home run over the last week - including sporting an 11-game hitting streak. In addition, Ozuna faces Rockies' left-hander Chris Rusin - who has a career 4.45 ERA and 1.43 WHIP - which is a huge advantage as Ozuna has crushed lefties this season, sporting an insane .405/.442/.568 slash line against them. For the moderate price of $3,100, Ozuna is a fantastic play today.
Juan Lagares, $2,400: Lagares is among the cheapest starting outfielders on the board and has actually hit well lately with a .333 average over last week. Lagares faces Tim Lincicum who has allowed four earned runs in each of his last three starts. While Lagares is unexciting, he is a solid play based on the low price point and the strong matchup.
Other Notable Outfielders:
Adam Jones, $3,300
Mark Canha, $2,700
