This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Welcome to yet another edition of our FanDuel value plays for Wednesday, August 19. The divisional races are starting to heat up with just five weeks left in the regular season and tonight's slate includes 10 games that could prove to be very important along the way. As usual, be sure to keep an eye on any last-minute lineup changes and check in on any players who are dealing with minor injuries. Good luck!
Starting Pitcher:
Dallas Keuchel, HOU ($10,900) – Keuchel has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2015 season and he's played a huge role in leading the Astros to the top of the American League West. The 27-year-old left-hander is 14-6 on the year with a 2.36 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. Keuchel will get a home start against the Rays tonight who rank 25th out of 30 teams in runs scored (446) and 23rd in team batting average (.247). He pitched very well on Friday against Detroit, giving up just one run across seven innings while walking one and striking out eight. Baltimore's Ubaldo Jimenez ($7,900) would be another solid option at home against the Mets.
Catcher:
Yadier Molina, STL ($2,400) – Molina has had a disappointing season up to this point and has dealt with minor nagging injuries throughout the year. The 33-year-old veteran is batting .278 with just three home runs and 44 RBI, but he had recorded six hits in his last six games entering last night which included one of those long balls. He's still got plenty of talent and as the season comes to a close and the Cardinals push for another division title, Molina will step up like he tends to do every year when it matters. He comes with a very reasonable price tag, and he'll have a nice matchup against Matt Cain tonight who enters with a 6.05 ERA in eight starts. The Mets' Travis d'Arnaud ($3,200) would also be a good selection.
First Base:
Albert Pujols, LAA ($3,700) – Pujols is as hot as any hitter in the league right now as he's homered in three of his last four games, including two straight. The future Hall of Famer now has 33 long balls and 69 RBI on the season. He's having by far his best season in an Angels uniform and he'll play a big role in determining whether or not they make the postseason. Pujols will have a favorable matchup against Jeff Samardzija who's having one of the worst years of his career and enters with a 4.78 ERA. Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt ($4,400) is also a nice play if you can afford him.
Second Base:
Jason Kipnis, CLE ($3,500) – Kipnis is arguably the best second baseman in the league and he's hitting a gaudy .368 against right-handed pitching this year. The power numbers are slightly down, but he's still considered a five-tool player with a reasonable price tag. Kipnis will have a juicy matchup against right-hander Joe Kelly of the Red Sox tonight who holds a 5.69 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP across 19 starts this season. Pittsburgh's Neil Walker ($2,900) is another solid play tonight.
Third Base:
Kris Bryant, CHC ($3,400) – Despite the .252 batting average Bryant is having a great rookie season and he's only going to continue to get better. He's hit safely in eight of his last 10 games and he'll have a nice matchup against Daniel Norris of the Tigers tonight at Wrigley Field. Bryant is batting .273 at home which includes 13 of his 16 home runs, and he should be a great value pick at $3,400. Alternatively, the Reds' Todd Frazier ($2,900) could be a steal despite his recent struggles.
Shortstop:
Jhonny Peralta, STL ($2,400) – The Cardinals' shortstop has hit safely in seven of his last eight games after struggling to begin the second half of the season, and he comes with a very reasonable price tag tonight. Peralta possesses great power at the shortstop position and he's held a solid .280 average up to this point. The matchup with Matt Cain and the Giants should work in his favor as he's hitting .292 against righties as opposed to .252 against lefties. Boston's Xander Bogaerts ($3,400) is another solid option.
Outfield:
Michael Brantley, CLE ($4,100) – Brantley returned on Monday after sitting out a few games with a shoulder injury. He went 2-for-5 in his first game back and he followed that up on Tuesday with a 1-for-4 performance that included his ninth home run of the season. Brantley has been on fire since the All-Start break which has raised his average up to .313 on the season. He's batting .325 against right-handed pitching, and he'll see Joe Kelly of the Red Sox tonight in what will be a very favorable matchup.
Kole Calhoun, LAA ($3,300) – Calhoun homered again on Tuesday night which marked his second long ball in the last three days. He now holds 18 home runs on the season with 65 RBI and 55 runs scored. Calhoun is hitting .281 against right-handed pitching as opposed to just .234 against lefties. He'll see right-hander Jeff Samardzija of the White Sox tonight as he'll look to stay hot for an Angels team in the middle of a divisional race.
Jorge Soler, CHC ($2,900) – Soler has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games including Sunday's contest in which he hit his sixth home run of the season. He's having a great second half after he struggled to open the year. Soler is hitting .275 against left-handed pitching with all six of his home runs coming against southpaws and he should have a nice matchup against Daniel Norris of the Tigers tonight who enters with a 4.24 ERA from the left side.
Other notable outfielders: Andrew McCutchen, PIT ($4,900); Carlos Gomez, HOU ($3,100)
