Friday's First Baseman/DH Value Rankings
Here are theScore's first baseman/DH value rankings for Friday, April 15:
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| David Ortiz (BOS) | vs. TOR | 9 |
| Anthony Rizzo (CHC) | vs. COL | 9 |
| Paul Goldschmidt (ARI) | at SD | 8 |
| Hanley Ramirez (BOS) | vs. TOR | 8 |
| Matt Adams (STL) | vs. CIN | 8 |
As long as Ortiz draws a right-handed pitcher, he's worth consideration in DFS leagues. Rizzo shouldn't be concerned about facing Rockies SP Chad Bettis. The game may not be at Coors Field, but that won't keep Rizzo from going yard.
Likewise, Goldschmidt may not be batting in the friendliest of parks, but facing Padres SP James Shields, who saw a jump in home runs in 2015, could be in his favor. Adams crushes right-handed pitching and should be owned by few. He makes for a solid bargain in tournament play.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Edwin Encarnacion (TOR) | at BOS | 7 |
| Prince Fielder (TEX) | vs. BAL | 7 |
| Tyler White (HOU) | vs. DET | 7 |
| Jose Abreu (CWS) | at TB | 7 |
| Eric Hosmer (KC) | at OAK | 7 |
| Justin Bour (MIA) | vs. ATL | 7 |
Encarnacion's power will come around. He's hitting a bunch of line drives - close to 40 percent - and it just hasn't translated into production. Drawing Baltimore's pitching staff should be music to Fielder's ears. A breakout is imminent. Hosmer hits lefties about equally as he does righties. Oakland SP Rich Hill hasn't turned into a pumpkin yet. That could change on Friday.
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Lucas Duda (NYM) | at CLE | 6 |
| Miguel Cabrera (DET) | at HOU | 6 |
| Mark Trumbo (BAL) | at TEX | 6 |
| Joey Votto (CIN) | at STL | 6 |
| Stephen Piscotty (STL) | vs. CIN | 6 |
| Chris Carter (MIL) | at PIT | 6 |
Duda's production is most prominent against right handers, but he's without a home run. He only hit two dingers in April a year ago, but the average was better. Cabrera can hit anyone, but Astros SP Dallas Keuchel is a harder sell. Cabrera is a contrarian play on Friday. Carter could continue his roll against Pirates LHP Jeff Locke.
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Paulsen (COL) | at CHC | 5 |
| Albert Pujols (LAA) | at MIN | 5 |
| Carlos Santana (CLE) | vs. NYM | 5 |
| Chris Davis (BAL) | at TEX | 5 |
| Victor Martinez (DET) | at HOU | 5 |
| Adam Lind (SEA) | at NYY | 5 |
| Wil Myers (SD) | vs. ARI | 5 |
Davis is always a home run threat, but Rangers LHP Martin Perez could cause him difficulty. All four of his home runs have come against right-handers as did the bulk of his dingers in 2015. Lind and Pujols are off to dreadful starts, but neither have terribly difficult matchups.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Gonzalez (LAD) | vs. SF | 4 |
| Mark Teixeira (NYY) | vs. SEA | 4 |
| Freddie Freeman (ATL) | at MIA | 3 |
| Brandon Belt (SF) | at LAD | 3 |
| Buster Posey (SF) | at LAD | 3 |
| Mitch Moreland (TEX) | vs. BAL | 3 |
| Byung Ho Park (MIN) | vs. LAA | 2 |
Gonzalez will almost never find himself this low, but Giants LHP Madison Bumgarner is as tough a matchup as he'll face. He already hits worse against lefties than righties and Bumgarner is among the best lefties.
Similar reasoning can be used for Belt and Posey facing Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw. He's been borderline unhittable through his first 15 innings. Since you can't pick Bumgarner's bat, might as well look elsewhere.