This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
With the regular season almost in our rearview mirror, Friday brings one of the last few days to take advantage of a full schedule on FanDuel.
For those interested, we've started an MLB DFS Slack channel for paid RotoWire subscribers. (There is a season-long one as well.) To join those channels, e-mail support@rotowire.com.
STARTING PITCHER
Hyun-Jin Ryu, LAD at SF ($10,000): The Dodgers are not just trying to fight their way into the playoffs, but they still have an opportunity to win the NL West. They'll turn to Ryu to keep their chances alive Friday, who has shut out the Padres and Rockies over his last two starts. Although he's been limited to 14 starts due to injury, Ryu hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any outing this year. He's done an excellent job keeping runners off base with a 1.01 WHIP and he provides plenty of strikeout upside with a 10.1 K/9. The Giants have only scored an average of 2.6 runs across their last 20 games, potentially setting up Ryu for another dominant performance.
GPP Fade: Madison Bumgarner, SF vs. LAD ($9,200): After five straight seasons with at least 30 starts, Bumgarner has started 37 games combined over the last two years. His numbers have still be great, posting a 3.20 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP while allowing just 0.9 HR/9. The problem with rolling with Bumgarner for your entry is that he only has a 7.5 K/9. If you want to pay up at starting pitcher, it's key to go with someone who can provide a lot of strikeouts. The Dodgers lineup is no cake walk either, so it might be best to avoid Bumgarner.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Tyler Glasnow, TB vs. TOR ($6,900): Glasnow has a stellar 1.01 WHIP since joining the Rays, but the fact that he has allowed 1.4 HR/9 has helped contribute to his 4.11 ERA that is supported by an identical 4.11 FIP. One key area that he has improved in is his control, issuing 2.9 BB/9. He's also provided the kind of strikeout potential you want to shoot for with a cheap tournament play, recording a 9.8 K/9 since being traded. The Blue Jays haven't been as lethal with a .715 OPS on the road compared to a .761 OPS at home, leaving Glasnow as a viable candidate to consider.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Willians Astudillo, MIN vs. CWS ($2,700): Astudillo may be playing himself into a regular role with the Twins next year. Not only does he have a .384 wOBA across 86 plate appearances, but he's only struck out three times. While that might seem unsustainable, he's never had a strikeout rate higher than 4.8 percent at any level in the minors. At this cheap price, he's an excellent option against Lucas Giolito and his 1.44 WHIP.
SECOND BASE
Travis Shaw, MIL vs. DET ($4,100): Shaw's .242 batting average is disappointing, but he's been unlucky with a .243 BABIP. His 13.5 percent walk rate is actually the highest mark of his career. He's still a dangerous power hitter with 31 home runs and could prove to be a tough out for Jordan Zimmermann, who has allowed 1.8 HR/9.
THIRD BASE
Miguel Andujar, NYY at BOS ($3,800): Andujar still has a lot of work to do defensively, but his offensive skills are unquestioned. Don't expect him to draw many walks, but he also doesn't strike out a ton with a 16.2 percent strikeout rate. He's also been an extra-base machine with 27 home runs and 43 doubles. Brian Johnson will start for the Red Sox and while he's been able to hold left-handed hitters to a .293 wOBA, righties have been much more successful against him with a .348 wOBA.
SHORTSTOP
Jorge Polanco, MIN vs. CWS ($3,400): Astudillo hasn't been the only bright spot offensively for the Twins down the stretch as Polanco has a .370 wOBA in September. A suspension has limited his season to 73 games so far, but Polanco has been productive with six home runs, 18 doubles and six steals. The Twins aren't necessarily an offense to target most night, but Polanco's .374 wOBA against right-handed pitchers makes him another player to consider against Giolito.
OUTFIELD
David Dahl, COL vs. WAS ($4,300): Dahl is finally healthy and getting a chance to play regularly for the Rockies. He hasn't let his opportunity go to waste, posting a 155 wRC+ across his last 15 games. Like many of his teammates, Dahl has struggled with a 57 wRC+ on the road this year, but he has a 150 wRC+ at Coors Field. This isn't exactly an imposing matchup for him, either, against Joe Ross, who has three strikeouts across 11 innings as he returns from Tommy John surgery.
Andrew McCutchen, NYY at BOS ($3,700): McCutchen got off to a slow start with the Yankees, but he's recorded a .459 wOBA over his last 12 games. Even though Aaron Judge is healthy again, McCutchen has still found a way to stick in the lineup more often than not. With his .359 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, he's another Yankee who could provide value against Johnson.
Jake Cave, MIN vs. CWS ($3,200): Cave is getting his first taste of regular playing time in the majors and he's flashed plenty of power with 12 home runs and 14 doubles over 291 plate appearances. His 33.7 percent strikeout rate and 5.5 percent walk rate leave a lot to be desired, but his .354 wOBA against righties makes him a viable option at this price versus Giolito.
UTILITY
Tommy Pham, TB vs. TOR ($3,700): Being traded to the Rays has completely changed Pham's season around. After hitting .248 with a .730 OPS with the Cardinals, he's batting .338 with a 1.068 OPS as a Ray. Part of his success has been seeing his BABIP go from .303 with the Cardinals to .442 with the Rays. He's had plenty of success all season with a .385 wOBA against lefties, so don't be surprised if he continues to be productive facing Thomas Pannone in this contest.
