The value pitching options feature only two hurlers as opposed to the typical three, but that’s offset by a pair of stud starting pitchers appearing in the Studs Worth their Salary section. I don’t love all of the pitchers on the slate, though, as two pitchers also appear in the Notable Fades section. The Indians, Twins, and Nationals are among the teams with multiple hitters touted in this space.

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Value Plays

Pitcher

 
Burnes has been used both as a starter and multi-inning reliever this year, so the greatest risk to playing him is that he won’t pitch deep into the game. Of course, his ugly 16.1 BB%, per FanGraphs, means pitching deep isn’t the only risk with using Burnes. Having said that, his 33.3 K% is excellent and supported by a strong 13.9 SwStr%. The righty’s strikeout upside in a plus matchup makes him a usable value option in GPPs.

My preference, however, is to spend down another $800 to Mahle. He’s throwing a bit harder and basically ditched his curve in favor of his slider this year, according to FanGraphs. It’s a small sample of 13.1 innings totaled between three appearances (two starts), but the results are promising. Mahle has recorded a 3.38 ERA, 4.22 SIERA, 10.7 BB%, and 28.6 K% with a notable jump in swinging-strike percentage. His work is good enough to put him in play at such a low price that allows for serious cap space for stud hitters.

Catcher/First Base

 
That’s not a goof on my part; all three first base options have five-star matchups. Sano and Thames have top-shelf pop, but Santana is the safer play with a sizable advantage in OBP over Sano and a massive edge in lineup spot over Thames. Since 2017, Santana has a .376 OBP, .203 ISO, and 126 wRC+ against lefties.

Second Base

 
Hiura’s .297 ISO against righties since reaching the majors last year is eye-catching, but Cronenworth remains grossly underpriced. He ripped a grand slam last night and is up to a .418 OBP, .296 ISO, and 186 wRC+ on the year. One-star matchup be damned, he’s a steal at his salary.

Third Base

 
I’m not a big fan of third base beyond a forthcoming stud. Out of the three third basemen featured in the table, only Moran holds the platoon advantage against the opposing starting pitcher. Both Devers and Anderson, however, get a lift from park factors today.

Shortstop

 
While I’m not jazzed about the options at the hot corner, shortstop has a tantalizing duo of value options at the top with Lindor and Correa. Since 2017, Lindor owns a .371 OBP, .207 ISO, and 131 wRC+ against southpaws. In the same time frame against lefties as well, Correa has bested Lindor with a .419 OBP, .183 ISO, and 154 wRC+.

Outfield

 
The outfield is brimming with talent, and that’s before getting to a pair of studs below. Thank goodness for the utility spot on FanDuel opening the door to rostering four outfielders. Gurriel Jr. makes for an extremely enticing punt option at only $400 more than the minimum salary. He’s tallied a .336 OBP, .265 ISO, and 136 wRC+ against lefties since reaching the majors in 2018.

The top dogs in the table, however, are Martinez and Reyes. That’s an especially fitting title for Martinez given his top ranks in OBP (.444), ISO (.393), and wRC+ (205) against lefties since 2017 among qualified hitters. As for Reyes, he’s ripped off a career .382 OBP, .230 ISO, and 142 wRC+ against lefties.

5 Studs Worth Their Salary

• Carlos Carrasco, CLE ($9,300): Carrasco and the Indians are huge -275 moneyline favorites, per the Betting Pros’ consensus line. The Tigers are a cupcake matchup and Carrasco racks up strikeouts in bunches (30.7 K%), so he’s the top pitching option on today’s main slate.
• Dylan Bundy, LAA ($9,100): Bundy is only $200 cheaper and the perfect pivot from Carrasco in GPPs. He endured a hiccup in his last turn, but otherwise has blossomed in his new home with a 2.48 ERA, 3.37 SIERA, and 30.2 K% in five starts spanning 32.2 innings. He’s already tied up the A’s twice this year and will attempt to go for the hat trick today.
• Juan Soto, WAS ($4,700): Soto’s season got off to a late start after hitting the IL due to a positive Covid-19 test, but he’s quickly making up for lost time. Among hitters who’ve compiled at least 50 plate appearances, no one’s been better as measured by his MLB-leading 227 wRC+.
• Nelson Cruz, MIN ($4,200): Cruz faces a lefty today. With a .407 OBP, .325 ISO, and 163 wRC+ against them since 2017, he was an easy pick for this section.
• Jose Ramirez, CLE ($3,900): As you’ve probably deduced from the value plays tables above, I’m all about stacking the Indians today. Ramirez and his .346 OBP, .229 ISO, and 123 wRC+ against lefties since 2017 is an integral part of a Tribe stack.

5 Notable Players to Fade

• Zack Greinke, HOU ($10,500): Another slate I cover with Greinke on it, another inclusion down here in the fade section. Greinke remains an excellent real-life pitcher, but his 22.3 K% leaves his ceiling short of what I’m looking for in a five-figure pitcher.
• Yu Darvish, CHC ($10,200): Darvish doesn’t have any punchout shortcomings like Greinke, but his matchup against the White Sox is considerably tougher than those of Carrasco and Bundy.
• Charlie Blackmon, COL ($3,900): Blackmon’s modest .326 OBP, .177 ISO, and 103 wRC+ on the road since 2017 simply aren’t worth his salary.
• Trevor Story, COL ($3,900): Story is even worse on the road than Blackmon with a .319 OBP, .188 ISO, and 100 wRC+ since 2017.
• Tim Anderson, CHW ($3,800): Anderson is following up a breakout 2019 campaign with an even better showing so far this year, but he’s best reserved for using against southpaws.

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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.