This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
PITCHER
Ervin Santana, MIN vs. DET ($34): Thursday's pitching slate is less than ideal, and the purpose here is to identify potential value plays. If that wasn't the intent, Justin Verlander ($49) and Jeff Samardzija ($40) have preferred matchups as starters on teams in playoff battles against lesser opponents. But Santana seems capable of matching Verlander while saving some coin. He's allowed just one run in his last 12 innings and six over his last 23 frames. He also has a 1.50 ERA in 12.0 innings against the Tigers this year.
Mike Clevinger, CLE at KC ($25): Clevinger has been stretched out with regards to pitch count in his last two appearances and should be ready to work well beyond the four innings he's thrown in his last appearances. He's allowed two runs over his last eight innings, striking out eight, and faces a Royals offense that has a .141 ISO this month.
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CATCHER
Nick Hundley, COL at LAD ($15): Hundley seems to offer a cheap in on the Rockies potent and otherwise high-priced offense, assuming he starts. He has a .338 wOBP and .201 ISO on the road and just had his eight-game hitting streak snapped Monday. He'll face a lefty in Brett Anderson, who is returning from a disabled-list stint and has allowed 11 runs in just 4.0 innings this season.
FIRST BASE
Wil Myers, SD vs. SF ($13): Hitting streaks will emerge as the theme of this column, and Myers starts it off, as he's hit safely in nine straight, including two home runs in his last three games. He's hitless in seven at-bats against the previously mentioned Jeff Samardzija, somewhat capping his upside, but his recent production and low price make for a steady play.
SECOND BASE
Jose Altuve, HOU vs. LAA ($13): An oblique injury has pushed Altuve down in price so far that he is too good to pass up. He is hitting only .222 in September but had four hits and two runs scored in his recent series at Oakland, heading into a matchup with Ricky Nolasco and his 4.78 ERA.
THIRD BASE
Evan Longoria, TB vs. NYY ($14): Longoria comes in with a six-game hitting streak that has seen him collect 12 hits, including three home runs and two additional extra-base hits. He's added eight RBI and seven runs scored in that span as he's set to face Luis Cessa, who has surrendered seven runs in his last 10.2 innings.
SHORTSTOP
Dansby Swanson, ATL at MIA ($15): Swanson has seven hits, four runs and four RBI in his last four games, a stretch of 15 at-bats. He'll square off with Jose Urena, who has surrendered 11 runs in his last 15.2 innings, including seven in two innings during his last start.
OUTFIELD
Andrew McCutchen, PIT at MIL ($19): McCutchen seems intent on closing the season with a bang. He brought an eight-game hitting streak into Wednesday's outing, collecting three home runs and 13 RBI in the process. He'll face righty Chase Anderson, who is surrendering a wOBP of .386 to right-handers on the year.
Mookie Betts, BOS at BAL ($18): Betts appears to be a safe choice with plenty of upside. He's riding an eight-game hit streak, collecting 14 hits and three walks in that span, and is slashing .329/.371/.546 versus righties. He has also scored double-digit fantasy points in three straight games.
Andrew Benintendi, BOS at BAL ($12): Benintendi has hit safely in four straight games since returning from the disabled list while scoring three runs. He's been remarkably better against right-handed pitching in advance of facing O's ace Chris Tillman, slashing .356/.406/.593 compared to a .211.238/.211 against southpaws.
