FantasyDraft MLB: Thursday Values

FantasyDraft MLB: Thursday Values

This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.

PITCHER

Masahiro Tanaka, NYY vs. BAL ($18,900): I'm not huge on any of the pitchers Wednesday so Tanaka will do, despite giving up seven runs last start. Prior to that, he had quality starts in his last three outings. I like his chances for success solely based on Baltimore's .297 wOBA and 25.8 K rate against righties over the last three weeks (since Aug. 23). It also helps that the Yankees are one of the bigger favorites of the night slate.

Jose Urena, MIA at PHI ($15,200): Urena has seen the Phillies twice in the last month and had success both times with 15 fantasy points in each. That's not outstanding but will do against Philly, which has a high 24.2 strikeout rate against righties since the end of August. Jake Junis ($12,400) and Jen-Ho Tseng ($13,600) drew my attention as well.

INFIELD

Ben Zobrist, CHC vs. NYM ($7,200): I'll start with a cheap bat that's been rejuvenated in the last few weeks with a .422 wOBA and .250 ISO in his last 55 plate appearances against righties. Seth Lugo didn't allow a run last time out, but remains inconsistent and sports a high 4.82 xFIP against lefties.

Kyle Schwarber, CHC vs. NYM ($8,000): Whereas Zobrist brings consistency, Schwarber adds the power with a .349 ISO and .369 wOBA in his last 48 plate appearances against righties. As for Lugo, he's given up four runs in two of his last four starts and has just one quality start in his last six tries.

Kyle Seager, SEA at TEX ($8,700): Seager adds a little more power to go with consistency, as he has a homer in five of his last nine games. Those numbers translate to a .385 wOBA and .298 ISO in his last 55 plate appearances against righties. Andrew Cashner has been pitching better, but he still has a minimal 12.7 K rate against lefties to go with a 5.87 xFIP.

OUTFIELD

Robbie Grossman, MIN vs. TOR ($7,200): Cheaper than most of his teammates, I consider Grossman a steal in this spot. He's killed it over the last couple weeks and has an impressive .406 wOBA and .250 ISO against lefties in his last 26 plate appearances. Brett Anderson isn't a high strikeout guy and while he's had some success since re-earning a starting gig, has a rough matchup against a Twins lineup that has a .368 wOBA against lefties since Aug. 1.

Byron Buxton, MIN vs. TOR ($8,100): Buxton is more expensive than Grossman, but that comes with better numbers with a .475 wOBA and .350 ISO in his last 46 plate appearances against lefties. Anderson has a fairly high .362 wOBA against righties to go with a smaller 14.6 K rate.

Michael Taylor, WAS vs. ATL ($8,400): I'm testing my luck with a righty-righty matchup, but Taylor has been hot with 12 hits and three homers in his last six games. In his last 59 plate appearances against righties, he has a .391 wOBA and .259 ISO. Mike Foltynewicz is better against righties, but he's given up 10 runs and 19 hits in his two starts against the Nats this season.

UTILITY

Josh Reddick, HOU at LAA ($8,800): Even on a stacked roster, Reddick has the best recent numbers against righties with a .429 wOBA in his last 57 plate appearances. Ricky Nolasco gave up four runs against Houston a couple weeks ago with Reddick singling twice against him. That falls in line with Nolasco's 5.22 xFIP against lefties.

Chase Headley, NYY vs. BAL ($7,200): There was a point this season when Wade Miley was an easy target to use two or three bats against every game, but that's not the case anymore. Still, he walks a ton of batters (12.4 walk rate) and has a .366 wOBA against righties. Headley is the best choice on the Yankees right now with a hit in 10 straight and a .458 wOBA and .359 ISO in his last 44 plate appearances against lefties.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Adam Zdroik plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: zdroik, DraftKings: rotozdroik, Yahoo: StreakMaster.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam Zdroik
Adam, a multiple-time finalist for FSWA's Soccer Writer of the Year, is RotoWire's soccer editor. He runs RotoWire's Bracketology and partakes in various NFL content. He previously worked at ESPN and Sporting Kansas City, and he is a former Streak for the Cash winner and Michigan State graduate.
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