This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Welcome to the Thursday edition of our FanDuel value plays for July 2. We're just a couple of weeks away from the 86th All-Star game and the fan voting ends tonight at midnight. There are just seven night games on the schedule tonight and Max Scherzer is the only big time ace on the mound, which will make him a very popular selection. Be sure to check last minute lineup changes and check in on any players with day-to-day injuries. Below are a few selections that should turn in good value tonight.
Starting Pitcher:
Max Scherzer, $12,500 - This price tag is absolutely insane, but when Scherzer pitches like he has over the last couple of weeks, it's tough to go elsewhere. He's putting up the type of production that would be equivalent to you having an extra player on the roster. This will be a popular pick so selecting hitters today will be crucial. Atlanta is in the bottom third of the league in runs scored with 309 which means Scherzer could be in for another solid performance. Jeremy Hellickson would be a nice lower priced option at $6,300.
Catcher:
Wilson Ramos, $2,800 - The Nationals will face Manny Banuelos of the Atlanta Braves on Thursday who will be making his Major League debut. Ramos is batting .279 against lefties this year and currently sits at seven home runs and 35 RBI on the season. If he is in the lineup Thursday, he'll be a solid option with just the ninth highest price tag amongst all catchers. Derek Norris at $3,000 would be another solid option.
First Base:
Kendrys Morales, $2,700 - Morales has been a great edition to a Royals team that will look to make their second World Series appearance in as many years in 2015. The switch-hitting Morales is batting .287 with 10 long balls and 50 RBI to go along with 38 runs scored. Nine of his 10 home runs have come against right-handed pitchers, and that's just what he'll see on Thursday when the Royals face Kyle Gibson of the Twins. Gibson enters with a 5-6 record and just 58 strike outs in 92.2 innings pitched.
Second Base:
Kolten Wong, $3,200 - Wong has emerged as one of the better all-around second basemen in the league, and has become everything that the Cardinals had hoped he'd be. Wong is a five-tool player that currently ranks in the top 75 of all fantasy players so far in 2015. He'll get a right-hander in Tyson Ross of the Padres on Thursday and Wong is batting .294 against righties opposed to a .275 average against lefties. The Cardinals second baseman hits in a professional lineup from top to bottom which presents him with plenty of opportunities to produce.
Third Base:
Mike Moustakas, $2,700 - Moustakas will get the same matchup as Morales on Thursday against Kyle Gibson of the Twins. The Royals third baseman is batting a gaudy .341 against right-handed pitching this year opposed to a .252 average against lefties. Moustakas has a very reasonable price tag among third basemen, especially for a guy batting in the middle of a talented lineup.
Shortstop:
Nick Ahmed, $3,000 - Despite just a .237 average on the season, Ahmed has shown signs of life over the last couple of weeks. Ahmed is batting .318 with three long balls and eight RBI in his last 44 at-bats. The D-Backs will get Chris Rusin of the Rockies on Thursday who enters with a 4.69 ERA across six starts on the season. The young shortstop should have a good chance to keep it going Thursday night.
Outfield:
Jose Bautista, $4,600 - Bautista hit his 16th home run of the season on Wednesday night and the three RBI brought his total up to 53 for the year. Owners would love to see him improve on the .241 average, but there is no denying that he is still one of the best power hitters in all of baseball. Bautista gets a juicy matchup against left-hander Wade Miley of the Red Sox on Thursday who enters with a 4.38 ERA.
Mitch Moreland, $3,400 - Moreland hast been on an absolute tear over the last two weeks which has helped spark a Rangers offense that has been very streaky up to this point. He's hit six home runs and drove in 12 over his last 51 at-bats to bring his totals to 14 home runs and 43 RBI for the season. Moreland is batting an even .300 for the year and he should have a nice matchup against right-hander Kevin Gausman of the Orioles on Thursday.
Justin Upton, $3,100 - The Padres get Tim Cooney of the Cardinals on Thursday who's only started one other game this season. He gave up three earned runs on seven hits across just 2.1 innings in his first outing. Upton has destroyed left-handed pitching over the course of his career and he should love the matchup against this youngster. The Padres outfielder is having arguably the best season of his career up to this point with 14 home runs and 46 RBI to go along with 15 stolen bases. He could be in for a big night on Thursday.
