Tuesday's Third Baseman Value Rankings
Here are theScore's third baseman value rankings for Tuesday, May 24 (all stats exclude Monday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Castellanos (DET) | vs. PHI | 9 |
| Manny Machado (BAL) | at HOU | 8 |
| Kyle Seager (SEA) | vs. OAK | 8 |
| Nolan Arenado (COL) | at BOS | 8 |
It remains a mystery as to why Castellanos' DFS price sits among the mid-tier players, yet his production and power spike put him in the company of the elite third basemen. He's hitting .340 with eight homers on the season and is slashing .315/.354/.603 for the month. No matter the matchup, he's the best value play.
It's difficult to justify not rostering Machado's cheap price tag, even though he is a dreadful 6-for-41 at the dish in his last 10 games. He draws a favorable matchup as a right-handed batter against Astros' RHP Doug Fister who has given up eight earned runs in his past three starts.
Arenado's consistent fantasy production has made him a staple in all DFS formats thus far, but a matchup against Red Sox LHP David Price could hinder his production. Arenado is hitting a middling .293 against southpaws in 2016 with five homers and nine RBIs. He's still one of the best hitters in the game with an extremely high floor that's tough to fade.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Donaldson (TOR) | at NYY | 7 |
| Matt Carpenter (STL) | vs. CHC | 7 |
| Adrian Beltre (TEX) | vs. LAA | 7 |
| Josh Rutledge (BOS) | vs. COL | 7 |
| Todd Frazier (CWS) | vs. CLE | 7 |
| Kris Bryant (CHC) | at STL | 7 |
| Evan Longoria (TB) | at MIA | 7 |
| Danny Valencia (OAK) | at SEA | 7 |
After failing to go yard in 13 straight games, Donaldson has homers in two of his past three outings, which puts him up to 11 on the season. He has struck out just once in that same span and has a favorable matchup against Yankees righty Nathan Eovaldi.
With a red-hot offense and a near-basement price tag, Rutledge is a terrific buy-low candidate in every format Tuesday, though only if Shaw is inactive due to an undisclosed injury. Monitor the situation and if Rutledge mans the hot corner, roll him and his dirt-cheap cost in every format.
Longoria is 15-for-42 over his 10-game hit streak and has crushed four homers and 10 RBIs. He's scorching hot and has yet to see a significant increase in cost.
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Rendon (WAS) | vs. NYM | 6 |
| Eugenio Suarez (CIN) | at LAD | 6 |
| Maikel Franco (PHI) | at DET | 6 |
| Martin Prado (MIA) | at TB | 6 |
| Jung Ho Kang (PIT) | vs. ARI | 6 |
| Trevor Plouffe (MIN) | vs. KC | 6 |
| David Freese (PIT) | vs. ARI | 6 |
| Brandon Drury (ARI) | at PIT | 6 |
Rendon seems to have climbed out of his early season slump and is now hitting a sparkling .500 over six games, helping raise his average 32 points. Though he has failed to hit one over the fence, he has four extra base-hits and four runs scored.
Despite a hand injury, Pirates' manager Clint Hurdle said Kang will be in the lineup against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. He could see his production hindered by the injury which is likely to result in a low-ownership percentage.
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Travis Shaw (BOS) | vs. COL | 5 |
| Chase Headley (NYY) | vs. TOR | 5 |
| Matt Duffy (SD) | at SF | 5 |
| Yunel Escobar (LAA) | at TEX | 5 |
| Jose Ramirez (CLE) | at CWS | 5 |
| Jake Lamb (ARI) | at PIT | 5 |
| David Wright (NYM) | at WAS | 5 |
| Justin Turner (LAD) | vs. CIN | 5 |
Shaw is unlikely to play for the Red Sox on Tuesday due to some type of hand injury and is the owner of a rather hefty price point.
The Indians are likely to struggle against White Sox LHP Chris Sale, who has become one of the most lethal pitchers in baseball. This includes Ramirez, who has just one homer but an intriguing .296 average.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Moustakas (KC) | at MIN | 4 |
| David Wright (NYM) | at WAS | 3 |
| Justin Turner (LAD) | vs. CIN | 3 |
| Howie Kendrick (LAD) | vs. CIN | 3 |
| Ryan Flaherty (BAL) | at HOU | 3 |
Moustakas is listed as day-to-day by the Royals, but hasn't done much since returning from a fractured thumb. He's failed to register a hit and has struck out three times in seven at-bats. It's best to fade him.
Kendrick's DFS salary has skyrocketed overnight due to a four-hit game in eight at-bats that saw him hit his first homer of the season and two doubles. Prior to his outstanding performance, he was hitting a meager .219 with an alarming .502 OPS.