This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
It's now day four of the 2015 Major League season as baseball is finally upon us. Today we've got a full schedule with 13 games to choose from, which provides us with all sorts of different options. As you've noticed, pitching is at a premium and it's crucial to use your money wisely when selecting a guy on the mound. Below are my daily value plays for Wednesday, April 8th.
Pitcher:
Gerrit Cole ($9,000): Cole was banged up last year through different parts of the season, but when he was on the mound, he was phenomenal. In 22 starts, he went 11-5 with a 3.65 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. Over 138 innings he recorded exactly 138 strikeouts and he'll only get better. Cole had a solid spring, and he's facing a team in the Reds, that struck out with the best of them in 2014. Many believe this youngster could be the next great ace in the National League.
Wily Peralta ($7,600): Although Lohse and Garza are the veterans on the staff and got to throw in games one and two, Peralta might be the best pitcher of the bunch. He had a very successful 2014 as he finished with a record of 17-11 over 198 innings pitched. Yes, the Rockies hammered the Brewers pitchers in the first two and their clearly seeing the ball well. If Peralta is anywhere near what he was last year however, you can expect him to bare down and get the Brewers a win in game three. The Brewers offense is due to provide some run support.
Catcher:
Brian McCann ($3,200): McCann had one of only three Yankees' hits on opening day as the team struggled to hit Drew Hutchinson. They'll see R.A. Dickey on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium where the right field jet stream should come in handy for the lefties. McCann has pounded right handed pitching over the course of his career, and he should get a ball or two up into air off of the slow tossing knuckleballer.
First Base:
David Ortiz ($3,800): Ortiz was 0-4 on opening day in Philadelphia which wasn't a real good start, but he's coming off of a 35 home run season in 2014 and continues to be one of the premier left-handed hitters in the game. He'll see Aaron Harang on Wednesday, a veteran right hander who's seen his velocity drop over the last couple of seasons. The Phillies home ballpark is very hitter friendly, and we expect Ortiz to have a good day.
Second Base:
Dee Gordon ($3,600): Steals count for two points and this guy can swipe bags with the best of them. There aren't many second baseman who provide a whole lot of power, therefore taking the small ball approach can typically payoff at this position. Altuve ($4,300) is another solid option if you're willing to spend the extra money, but if Gordon can get on base multiple times in a game, he's just as scary.
Third Base:
David Wright ($3,400): Wright has been one of the better five-tool players in the league over the last four years, but he had a very rough year in 2014. Wright recorded a career low in home runs with eight, and batted just .269 which was the second lowest mark in his lifetime. All spring Wright commented on how his play was unacceptable, and he mentioned how different this coming season would be. After going 0-4 in his opening game, we expect him to bounce back on Wednesday in round two.
Shortstop:
Jimmy Rollins ($3,900): This veteran shortstop looked very comfortable in his new Dodgers uniform on opening day as he went 2-4 with a Home Run, 3 RBI, a walk and a stolen base. You can't go wrong with Tulowitzki ($4,600) and Desmond ($4,000) at this position, but if you're tight on money when selecting this spot, Rollins might be of the best value.
Outfield:
Jacoby Ellsbury ($4,000): Ellsbury is a five-tool fantasy stud when he's on the field, and he's a great contact hitter at the top of the Yankees lineup. He struggled on opening day going 0-4, but he'll get R.A. Dickey on Wednesday which should allow him to put the ball in play regularly. Expect a nice bounce back game from the Yanks best player in game two.
Michael Brantley ($4,100): Brantley was 0-4 on opening day against left-hander Dallas Keuchel who seemed to be mowing everyone down from the opening pitch. Brantley should be back in his comfort zone on Wednesday as the Indians will see right-hander Scott Feldman who holds a career 4.48 ERA. Brantley batted a gaudy .337 last year against right-handed pitching, and he'll love his matchup on Wednesday.
Seth Smith ($2,900): Smith was brilliant on opening day as he went 3-3 with two doubles, a triple, and two RBI. He was out of the lineup on Tuesday as left-hander C.J. Wilson took the mound for the Angels, but he'll return on Wednesday to face right-hander Matt Shoemaker. Clearly Smith saw the ball well on day one, and if he can provide even half of his opening day production, then he'll be of great value at a price tag of $2,900.
Good Luck!
