Saturday's First Baseman/DH Value Rankings
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Here are theScore's first baseman/DH value rankings for Saturday, September 17 (all stats exclude Friday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Yuli Gurriel (HOU) | at SEA | 9 |
| Josh Bell (PIT) | at CIN | 8 |
| Edwin Encarnacion (TOR) | at LAA | 8 |
Gurriel still has a bargain salary on some sites despite having hit .368 over his last 10 games; over his last eight contests, he has three home runs and five multi-hit efforts.
Another rookie, Bell, has also hit reliably, with a .333 average and six RBIs over his last 10 games. He should start the first game of a doubleheader, given that lefty Brandon Finnegan will be on the mound for the Reds.
Encarnacion, the AL RBI leader, gets a favorable price despite a matchup with up-and-down Angels RHP Ricky Nolasco.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| David Ortiz (BOS) | vs. NYY | 7 |
| Hanley Ramirez (BOS) | vs. NYY | 6 |
| Adrian Gonzalez (LAD) | at ARI | 6 |
The Red Sox are set to face inexperienced RHP Bryan Mitchell, who lasted just 2 1/3 innings in his last start. Neither Ortiz nor Ramirez, who both homered on Thursday, represent great value, but it's somewhat surprising how closely both are priced on some sites. Ortiz is seemingly the far more explosive option.
Gonzalez wasn't able to take advantage of a favorable matchup Thursday in Arizona, going 0-for-4. He doesn't come cheaply in another friendly-looking encounter with RHP Shelby Miller.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Wil Myers (SD) | at COL | 3 |
| Eric Hosmer (KC) | vs. CWS | 3 |
| Joe Mauer (MIN) | at NYM | 3 |
In the second half, Myers has slumped to a .210 average with just five home runs. A trip to Coors Field may wake up his bat, but it's hard to say that his elevated price offers much value.
The Royals have lost four straight games, scoring 12 total runs. Hosmer contributed just two singles and a walk in that stretch.