This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
We've got a relatively light slate Thursday, with just nine games -- only two of them during the day. With so little action, it's a good day to hedge your bets in FanDuel contests that permit multiple entries. Here are our daily value plays for Thursday, September 17.
Pitcher:
John Lackey, $8,600: It's a rough day for pitching with Corey Kluber ($11,000) being the only pitcher priced above $9,000; and he's making his first start in almost three weeks after being sidelined with a hamstring injury. Lackey, who's the best option from a motley crew of pitchers, has quietly turned in a nice season with a 2.89 ERA and a 3/1 K:BB. Lackey faces a Brewers offense that is not intimidating to begin with, and could be without Ryan Braun who missed yesterday's game with a tight back. Lackey is available at a nice price and should give you a strong outing against a bad Brewers team. In addition, Lackey has a nice chance to garner a win, which is impossible to predict, but is still worth four points in FanDuel scoring, so it has to at least be considered.
Catcher:
Russell Martin, $2,800: Martin has been white hot over the last week with a 1.246 OPS and two long balls. Martin faces rookie Matt Wisler who's been hit around more than a pinata in his first year in the majors as his 5.60 ERA and 1.62 WHIP can attest. Also, Martin is available at a bargain price as only the eight-highest priced catcher on the board, especially on a day without a lot of good backstop options. For all these reasons, Martin presents a nice upside play with a relatively high floor.
First Base:
C.J. Cron, $2,200: I'm perplexed by Cron's price. I don't understand how he can be priced for the minimum amount a player can cost. Not only does Cron have an everyday spot in the lineup now, but he's been productive, especially lately. Cron has a solid .841 OPS over the last 28 days, but has been even better of late with a 1.000 OPS and 4 home runs over his last 10 games. Cron faces left-hander Tommy Milone who's anything but intimidating. More than anything, Cron's price is just way too low for how good he's been, making him a great value play.
Second Base:
Jonathan Schoop, $2,300: Schoop continues to provide power from the second base position as the as the 23-year-old has an impressive 14 homers in only 253 at bats this season. Schoop has been locked in recently, with a .933 OPS and 4 jacks over his last 10 games. Schoop faces Matt Moore who's been a disaster since returning from Tommy John Surgery, with an ugly 8.42 ERA and 1.93 WHIP over his 36.1 innings this season. Based on the dirt cheap price and the matchup Schoop is a great upside play for today.
Third Base:
Martin Prado, $3,100: Prado has been great over the last month with an impressive .344/.406/.522 slash line over his last 25 games. The 31-year-old is priced reasonably, especially compared to the other options at third base, and faces Tanner Roark who's been less-than-stellar this season with a 4.38 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. On a day where there are a bunch of terrible value options at third base, Prado presents a nice low-floor option with the potential for a multi-hit day and some counting stats thrown in for good measure.
Shortstop:
Eduardo Escobar, $3,500: Shortstop is the toughest position to fill today, as there are not many good bang for your buck plays on the board. Escobar is the best of the bad options based on him being slightly cheaper than the top guys on the board, but just as likely to put up points for you. Escobar has been on a tear over the last month with a .349/.387/.709 slash line over his last 24 games, and has shown no signs of slowing down. He faces Hector Santiago who's been up and down over the last few weeks and should be someone the 26-year-old can find success against. Escobar is another nice low-floor option at a weak position for today.
Outfield:
Mike Trout, $4,000: It's always strange to see Trout priced outside the top few outfielders, so there's always the potential for value when he's priced below his normal range. This is especially true now that Trout seems to finding his groove again with a .950 OPS over his last 25 games and an even more impressive 1.274 OPS and two long balls over the last week. Trout faces soft tossing lefty Tommy Milone who's coming off a terrible outing in his last start and has generally been mediocre at best all season long. For such a low price, Trout is a no brainer play when you account for the matchup and how hot he's been.
Jason Heyward, $3,600: Heyward has been great lately with a .930 OPS over the last month. He's been even better over the last week where he's slashing an absurd .500/.524/.850. Heyward faces righty Jimmy Nelson who has really struggled against left-handed hitters this season yielding an .870 OPS to them. For his part, Heyward has been significantly better against right-handed pitchers this season, and is available at a very reasonable price. Take advantage of this and put Heyward in your lineup.
Chris Coghlan, $3,100: Coghlan has been on a tear lately with a 1.072 OPS over his last 10 games. Coghlan faces righty Charlie Morton who's been mediocre this season, but has been significantly worse against left-handed hitters. Coghlan on the other hand has crushed right-handed pitching this season and is available for an extremely cheap price when compared to the other options around him, making him a great value play who could have a huge day.
