Friday's First Baseman/DH Value Rankings
Here are theScore's first baseman/DH value rankings for Friday, May 27 (all stats exclude Thursday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Miguel Cabrera (DET) | at OAK | 9 |
| David Ortiz (BOS) | at TOR | 9 |
| Chris Carter (MIL) | vs. CIN | 8 |
| Mark Reynolds (COL) | vs. SF | 8 |
Cabrera could struggle for power against A's southpaw Sean Manaea, as he's yet to go yard against a left-handed pitcher in 2016. Nonetheless, Cabrera is swinging a hot bat in May, launching seven of his 11 home runs this month while maintaining an astounding 1.131 OPS.
The ageless wonder has hit safely all season long, with his .418 OBP and .686 slugging percentage leading all AL-players who qualify. Ortiz homered once and generated nine RBIs in his last three games and is the safest play on this slate.
Reynolds is a pure matchup play against the atrocious pitching of Giants' RHP Matt Cain in his familiar confines of the hitter-friendly Coors Field. Reynolds is hitting for a terrific average, but not much power, smashing just two home runs.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Goldschmidt (ARI) | vs. SD | 7 |
| Jose Abreu (CWS) | at KC | 7 |
| Edwin Encarnacion (TOR) | vs. BOS | 7 |
| Steve Pearce (TB) | vs. NYY | 7 |
| Chris Davis (BAL) | at CLE | 7 |
| Victor Martinez (DET) | at OAK | 7 |
| Hanley Ramirez (BOS) | at TOR | 7 |
Diamondbacks hitters continue to be reliable DFS plays, and with Goldschmidt swinging a hot bat, all of the batters' respective values increase. His average is slowly inclining, which is promising, but he has only gone yard once in his last 10 outings.
It has been an up and down season for the Blue Jays' bats, but a series against the Red Sox' mediocre pitching staff could be just what they need to kick start their offense. Encarnacion has crushed Boston's pitchers for two homers and seven RBIs in 28 at-bats this season, so more of the same could continue against RHP Joe Kelly.
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Rizzo (CHC) | vs. PHI | 6 |
| Ryan Zimmerman (WAS) | vs. STL | 6 |
| Carlos Santana (CLE) | vs. BAL | 6 |
| Brandon Belt (SF) | at COL | 6 |
| Adrian Gonzalez (LAD) | at NYM | 6 |
| Eric Hosmer (KC) | vs. CWS | 6 |
| Justin Bour (MIA) | at ATL | 6 |
| Freddie Freeman (ATL) | vs. MIA | 6 |
The Cubs' bats came back to life in their most recent series against the Cardinals, for the exception of Rizzo. He's an atrocious 3-for-38 (.079) in his last 10 contests and hasn't even hit a homer. He draws a favorable matchup against Phillies' LHP Adam Morgan, who has gave up nine runs in 9 2/3 innings pitched.
Gonzalez's .274 average is creeping to it's normality, but he has just four home runs and continues to receive days off due to a sore back. With the Mets sending out the powerful righty Jacob deGrom, Gonzalez is no more than a contrarian option.
Bour has just seven hits in his last 34 at-bats, including three of which went deep and produced six RBIs. He owns a lofty 20.8 strikeout percentage on the season but with a middling DFS salary, he has plenty of cash-game value.
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Mitch Moreland (TEX) | vs. PIT | 5 |
| Mike Napoli (CLE) | vs. BAL | 5 |
| Albert Pujols (LAA) | vs. HOU | 5 |
| John Jaso (PIT) | at TEX | 5 |
| David Freese (PIT) | at TEX | 5 |
| Brandon Moss (STL) | at WAS | 5 |
| Wil Myers (SD) | at ARI | 5 |
His boom or bust approach at the plate hasn't worked in his favor all that much, with his average well below .250. The lefty-lefty matchup favors the opposing pitcher; Pirates' LHP Jonathon Niese and his 11 home runs conceded this season gives Moreland a bit of upside.
Sticking with the Rangers and Pirates, LHP Cole Hamels will take the mound for Texas, it's likely the left-handed Jaso will sit in favor of right-handed Freese, who has slashed .350/.409/.600 against southpaws, yet has just one solo home run.
The Nationals will send ace Max Scherzer to the mound which limits Moss' value. However, Scherzer has been less efficient against LHH's this year, and owns a .305 average in the split.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Kendrys Morales (KC) | vs. CWS | 4 |
| Prince Fielder (TEX) | vs. PIT | 3 |
| Ryan Howard (PHI) | at CHC | 3 |
| Joey Votto (CIN) | at MIL | 3 |
| Tyler White (HOU) | at LAA | 3 |
Morales is listed as day-to-day with a sprained right middle finger. Even if he suits up, he has slashed a horrific .187/.247/.313 through 45 games.